Lumet 2.0
A dynamic microstructure analytical tool for metals

Steel producers are looking for new ways to get tighter tolerance on their product properties. Controlled rolling of steel is used to produce desired grain sizes to meet these targets. The Lumet 2.0, coupled with a thermo-mechanical simulator, is an offline platform for in-situ and real-time observation of austenite grain kinetics under plastic deformation and temperature cycles.

This system gives producers the tools to validate current rolling schedules on different steel alloys. It also empowers researchers to develop new thermo-mechanical processing sequences for new types of steel with novel properties. Once established offline, these new sequences can be tested online. With prior knowledge of the off-line data, full-scale plant trial time can be shortened, reducing their cost.

Cold rolling involves applying high levels of deformation to the aluminum, distorting the existing grains. Recrystallization occurs when the aluminum is annealed at elevated temperatures, so the distorted grains can be replaced by new, more regular grains. A uniform, fine-grain structure leads to improved mechanical properties, while a coarse or uneven grain structure results in reduced properties.

Since the recrystallization level affects the ultrasound speed, the Lumet 2.0, using non-contact laser-ultrasonics, mean  the recrystallization process can be viewed in real time. It provides a continuous stream of data compared to the time-consuming method of interrupting the process, quenching the sample and doing a manual metallographic examination. The higher-temperature-resolution data curve provided by Lumet 2.0 reveals details that could be missed by standard metallurgical methods. Understanding the recrystallization process helps aluminum coil manufacturers to optimize the cold rolling process and to minimize the amount of energy required to achieve desired grain structures.

The LuMetalTools, provided with the Lumet 2.0, is a Tecnar software package that enables operators to easily extract microstructure information from the laser-ultrasonic data. The package includes a set of modules, such as a material properties database, pre-established calibration curves, data importer from external sensors, laser-ultrasonic experiment set-up, signal processing and reporting. All together, this software tool allows operators to efficiently plot microstructure characteristics as a function of an external parameter, such as grain size as a function of temperature. From start to finish, the LuMetalTools empowers researchers to use laser-ultrasonics without being experts in the field.