Patent ID: 7449140

Claim:
A modeling method for a metal, comprising: providing at least one actuator for influencing the temperature of the metal; predetermining a starting temperature of the metal and starting proportions, in which the metal is at least in a first phase or a second phase, for a material model; solving a heat conduction equation and a transformation equation in real time within the material model, taking account of the starting temperature, the starting proportions and a control variable for the actuator; determining an expected temperature for the metal and expected proportions in which the metal is at least in the first phase or the second phase; and controlling the actuator in accordance with the control variable wherein solving the heat conduction equation and the transformation equation includes: determining the Gibbs' free enthalpies of the phases of the metal as part of the transformation equation; determining a transformation rate of the metal from the first phase to the second phase on the basis of the Gibbs' free enthalpies; and determining the expected proportions on the basis of the transformation rate so that actuator control may be adjusted based on values obtained from solving the equations to control temperature, proportions, microstructure or grain size during fabrication.