1. Introduction

    The physical, thermo-physical and mechanical properties of materials are a vital input for process modelling. However, while such properties are relatively easy to measure at room temperature, they become increasingly difficult to determine experimentally at high temperatures. Also, with regard to flow, properties become increasingly difficult to measure at high strain strates and in steep temperature gradients. To overcome these difficulties and to provide reliable and cost effective data for process modelling, sound models are required so that such properties can be readily calculated. The present paper provides background to a new software package JMatPro [1,2,3,4,5] that is able to provide many of the properties required.

    A feature of the new programme is that the models are based on sound physical principles rather than purely statistical methods. Thus many of the shortcomings of methods such as regression analysis can be overcome. It allows sensitivity to microstructure to be included for many of the properties and also means that a true inter-relationship between properties can be developed. This presentation will show numerous examples of calculated results for various properties in multi-component alloys, concentrating on three areas.

● Use in solidification modelling.

● High temperature mechanical properties.

● Phase transformations in steels leading to quench distortion.

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