Institute for Digital Materials Research

The aim of this project is to further develop the numerical load capacity prediction of cast iron brake discs with lamellar graphite. It often happens that numerical models predict a failure of components that does not occur in reality. This discrepancy between simulation and reality can often be traced back to models that are too simple. For example, important phase transformation processes, inhomogeneities and/or mechanical phenomena such as plasticity are not considered. In this project, the thermomechanical properties of cast iron with lamellar graphite are calculated as a function of the microstructure by numerical simulations on mesoscopic representative volume elements. Furthermore, the influence of phase transformation processes such as the influence of martensite transformation on the thermomechanical properties is investigated. Finally, using the calculated material parameters, the formation of cracks on brake discs is investigated by means of multi-scale simulations.