Effects of Stress on Phase Transformations in Grinding by FE Modeling and Experimental Approaches

In the grinding process, the materials within the surface layer may undergo phase transformation and finally form a strengthened layer. It is of great significance to model the phase transformation and predict the characteristics of the strengthened layer accurately. The phase transformations occur under the varying temperature and high stress-strain in grinding, so the effects of stress on the transformations are inescapable. This paper focuses on revealing the effects of stress on phase transformations in grinding. For this purpose, a thermal-mechanical-metallurgical direct coupling finite element (FE) model of grinding was established in Abaqus. The coupling interactions such as the latent heat, the volume change strain caused by phase transformation, and the stress-induced phase transformation were considered in the modeling procedure. Grinding experiments were carried out and proved the model could accurately predict the microstructure distribution and thickness of the strengthened layer. Further, the evolution of the phase transformation was discussed, and the effects of stress on the transformations were revealed.