Simulation and Validation of Quenchable Thickness for H11 Steel Modules Based on Measured TTT Curve

TU Yujie; SHI Zhengbo; XU Chen; MENG Jiajie; CHEN Xuefen; XU Lang; WU Xiaochun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.012

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Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 17 ›› Issue (12) : 113-123. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.012

Advanced Aerospace Manufacturing Technology

Simulation and Validation of Quenchable Thickness for H11 Steel Modules Based on Measured TTT Curve

TU Yujie^1,*, SHI Zhengbo¹, XU Chen¹, MENG Jiajie¹, CHEN Xuefen¹, XU Lang¹, WU Xiaochun²

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Abstract

The work aims to have accurate prediction of the quenchable thickness of H11 steel modules under different quenching processes to provide theoretical support in the production of aerospace equipment. The precise time-temperature- transformation (TTT) curve of H11 steel was determined with a DI805A dilatometer. Based on this curve, a phase transformation calculation model was established. Subsequently, the evolution of temperature and microstructure in H11 steel modules of different thickness (200-700 mm) under oil quenching and gas quenching was simulated using a finite element method, and the quenchable thickness was theoretically predicted. Finally, an industrial gas quenching trial on a 500 mm module was carried out in a vacuum gas quenching furnace for validation. The phase transformation characteristics tests revealed that the supercooled austenite of H11 steel underwent pearlite and bainite transformations during isothermal holding, within temperature ranges of 675-790 ℃ and 295-395 ℃, respectively. The quenching simulation results indicated that for modules thicker than 500 mm under oil quenching and thicker than 400 mm under gas quenching, the cooling rate at the core was insufficient to suppress bainite transformation, leading to the formation of a significant volume fraction of bainite. The results of industrial trial showed that the measured temperature curves, types of microstructure, and volume fraction of bainite at the core of the 500 mm module aligned well with the simulation results, confirming their consistency. The quenchable thickness of H11 steel modules is approximately 500 mm for oil quenching and 400 mm for gas quenching.

Key words

H11 steel / module / quenching / TTT curve / finite element simulation

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TU Yujie, SHI Zhengbo, XU Chen, MENG Jiajie, CHEN Xuefen, XU Lang, WU Xiaochun. Simulation and Validation of Quenchable Thickness for H11 Steel Modules Based on Measured TTT Curve[J]. Journal of Netshape Forming Engineering. 2025, 17(12): 113-123 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1674-6457.2025.12.012

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