Modelling and Selection of Surface Treatments for Steels

Surface treatment of steels is a manufacturing task with a wide range of design objectives and process options. Selection of surface treatment process therefore benefits from a systematic approach. In this paper a methodology is applied to guide the choice of a suitable treatment to satisfy technical and economic requirements. For surface treatment some important characteristics (such as processing rate, or coating performance) depend on coupling between parameters of the process, material and the design. Process modelling methods enable these relationships to be captured, offering greater discrimination in selection of process, while simultaneously indicating trial operating conditions.