About the TCS Steel and Fe-alloys Database (TCFE)

The database is developed to be used with our entire suite of products: Thermo-Calc, the Add-on Diffusion (DICTRA), Precipitation (TC-PRISMA), and/or Additive Manufacturing Modules, and all available SDKs.

The thermodynamic database is compatible with the corresponding mobility database TCS Steels/Fe-Alloys Mobility Database (MOBFE) that provides kinetic data for those working with the add-on kinetic modules – the Diffusion Module (DICTRA) and the Precipitation Module (TC-PRISMA) – as well as a few specific calculation types, such as Scheil with back diffusion. The current version is MOBFE8.1.

TCS Steel and Fe-alloys Database (TCFE) is also integral to the Steel Model Library. The Steel Model Library is a package of property models used to set up calculations in the Property Model Calculator that are common to those working with steels. The library currently includes nine models intended for those working in the steel industry: Martensite Temperatures, Martensite Fractions, Martensitic Steel Strength, Critical Transformation Temperatures, Pearlite, Bainite, Ferrite, CCT, and TTT Models.

The Steel Model Library is available for free to all users who have a license for the databases TCFE (version 9 or newer) and MOBFE (version 4 or newer) and a valid Maintenance & Support Subscription (M&SS).

There are examples available to both demonstrate the validation of the database and to showcase the types of calculations that can be used for different materials or application areas such as process metallurgy, heat treatment, and more depending on the database. Sometimes an example is both a validation and a calculation example.

About the Database Examples

Some examples of how this database can be used include the following:

• Calculate various phase diagrams in the assessed systems as well as to extrapolate higher-order systems
• Simulate the solidification process.
• Predict the relative stability of matrix phases (austenite and ferrite).
• Predict the precipitation of secondary phases such as sulfides, borides, oxides, phosphides, carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, and also intermetallic phases such as the sigma and laves phases.
• Predict the density, molar volume, and thermal expansion coefficients.
• Use thermophysical property data to predict the viscosity of metallic liquids, the surface tension of metallic liquids, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity.
• Use elastic property data to predict Young's modulus.
• Predict the lath and plate martensite start temperature.
• Describe the thermodynamics of bainite and pearlite formation.
• Predict oxide scale formation on various steels.
• Integrate with a compatible atomic mobility database and use it to simulate diffusion controlled phase transformations with the Add-on Diffusion Module (DICTRA) and multi-particle precipitation kinetics with the Add-on Precipitation Module (TC-PRISMA).

It is possible to combine several databases to make calculations using Thermo‑Calc. For more information related to a specific type of problem, contact one of our support specialists at info@thermocalc.com. The experts are available to make recommendations on the most suitable database to use for your needs.

TCFE: TCS Steels/Fe-Alloys Database Revision History. The current version of the database is TCFE14. See the link for any subversion release details.