dc.description.abstract | Due to the increasing demands on higher qualities of thin martensitic steel strips, a great attention needs to be paid to the dimension quality of the finished product within the hardening line. The temperature distribution within the strip during the process influences the flatness of the finished product. Therefore, a FEM model was developed based on physical theories. Specifically, the temperature for the section before martensitic transformation was predicted by using a steady state approach. In addition, the results of the numerical predictions were compared to measured temperature performed in industry by using infrared thermal imaging. The results showed that a significant temperature difference exists across the width of the strip. This difference was 41°C and 48°C at the position close to the bath interface according to the thermal imaging and modelling results, respectively. Furthermore, the temperature measurements showed that the temperature of the strip decreased by 245°C from the furnace temperature within the gas box beyond the hardening furnace. The measurements were performed at a position about 21mm away from the molten metal bath interface. Overall, the results of this study can be seen as initial fundamental knowledge of the modelling of the hardening process. Thereby, this knowledge can be used to modify the current hardening process as well as be used as input to study the stress in strip in future investigations. | nb_NO |