NAME Material metalikoen fabrikazio-prozesuen azterketa teorikoen zentroa: simulazioa, prozesuen modelizazioa, transformazio-prozesuen aurrekoa eta ondokoa

DESCRIPTION

Azterketa teorikoak, jarduera esperimentalen eraginkortasuna maximizatzea ahalbidetzen dutenak; izan ere, nabarmen murrizten da proban eta errorean oinarritutako saiakuntzen kopurua, baliabideen erabilera optimizatuz eta I+G jarduerak bizkortuz. Modelizaziorako eskuragarri dauden tresnek honako hauek biltzen dituzte: Azterlan enpresak (KASANDRA®) garatutako betetze- eta solidotze-prozesu komertzial eta propioaren simulagailuak, termodinamikaren, zinetikaren eta hedapenaren modelizazioa solidotzean, hoztean eta tratamendu termikoan: FactSage, Thermo-Calc, Prisma, Dictra, Sysweld eta Ansys.

FIELDS OF APPLICATION

Design and development of materials

Manufacturing processes

MOST OUTSTANDING EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS

  • Filling and Solidification Simulator that considers cast iron melt quality for shrinkage prediction in cast iron: KASANDRA®

    The proprietary simulation software for filling and solidification (KASANDRA®) offers the innovative advantage of modeling casting processes while considering the metallurgical quality of the liquid metal, evaluated with thermal analysis equipment (Thermolan®). The Kassandra® Lite application enables real-time control of microshrinkage risk during manufacturing.

  • Filling and Solidification Simulators: ProCAST and QuikCAST

    ProCAST and QuikCAST enable simulation of the filling and solidification of all types of metals and casting processes. ProCAST also allows stress and strain calculation during solidification.

  • Kinetic and Diffusion Simulators for Metal Transformation Processes: Prisma and Dictra

    •PRISMA: Kinetic simulator for secondary phase precipitation. It models nucleation, growth, and coalescence of particles, useful for understanding precipitation hardening.
    •DICTRA: Multicomponent diffusion simulator coupled with thermodynamic data (CALPHAD). Very useful for studying element concentration evolution and phase growth during solidification and heat treatments.

  • Numerical Simulators (FEM) for Thermal Processes (Sysweld) and Stress Analysis (Ansys)

    Sysweld simulates coupled thermal, metallurgical, and mechanical fields during transient thermal processes such as welding and heat treatment; evaluating distortions. It includes phase transformation models (such as austenite, martensite, bainite, ferrite), stress and strain evolution, and prediction of heat-affected zones (HAZ).
    Ansys is a finite element analysis (FEA) tool that allows structural behavior analysis of components. It evaluates stress, strain, vibrations, and thermal conditions under various loads and boundary conditions.

  • Thermodynamic Process Simulators for Metals: FactSage and Thermo-Calc

    •FactSage: A thermodynamic simulator based on thermochemical databases. It allows phase equilibrium calculations, phase diagrams, slag and gas compositions, among others.
    •Thermo-Calc: Software for multicomponent thermodynamic calculations. Based on CALPHAD models, it allows the study of phase equilibria and transformations at different temperatures and compositions.

SERVICES OFFERED BY THE ASSET

Feasibility and Performance Studies Based on Metallurgical Quality

Studies of phase equilibria and transformations at different temperatures and compositions; including solidifying phases, solid-state transformations, slags, and gases. This allows optimization of alloying elements, melting, refining, solidification, and heat treatment processes to achieve desired microstructures.

Filling and Feeding System Design Based on Simulation results

Design of optimal filling and solidification systems to avoid defects based on casting process simulation results, covering all types of metals (cast iron, steel, Al, Cu, superalloys, etc.) and casting processes (sand, low pressure, die casting, lost wax, ablation, etc.)

Kinetic and Diffusion Simulations in Metal Transformations

Prediction studies of: -precipitation of hardening secondary phases based on nucleation, growth, and coalescence during heat treatment. - multicomponent diffusion coupled with thermodynamics to predict phase concentration, growth and segregation during solidification and heat treatments.

Simulation of Welding Processes, Heat Treatments, Distortion, and Structural Behavior

Study of: - metallurgical transformations in the HAZ and weld bead - residual stresses, deformations, and distortions due to thermal contraction from welding or heat treatment - design/manufacturing integration: virtual process validation - post-weld heat treatment to improve properties - stresses and deformations under different loads .

Thermodynamic Simulations in Metal Transformation processes

Studies of phase equilibria and transformations at different temperatures and compositions; including solidifying phases, solid-state transformations, slags, and gases. This allows optimization of alloying elements, melting, refining, solidification, and heat treatment processes to achieve desired microstructures.

ENTITY MANAGING THE ASSET

ENTITY MANAGING THE ASSET
FUNDACIÓN AZTERLAN
Contact person:
Susana Méndez
smendez@azterlan.es