THERMAL & PHASE ANALYSIS AT THE LIMITS OF MATERIALS SCIENCE

The Gleeble thermal-mechanical simulator enables precise physical simulation—from dilatometry and CCT diagrams to HAZ and ultra-high-temperature solidification analysis—with exceptional accuracy and repeatability.

WHAT IS THE THERMAL & PHASE ANALYSIS?

Thermal and phase analysis studies how materials transform—structurally, mechanically, and thermodynamically—under controlled temperature and deformation. These insights are essential for alloy development, process optimization, and predictive manufacturing.

The Gleeble system enables real-world physical simulation, producing experimentally validated flow stress data, dilatometric signals, and microstructural evidence. These data underpin and validate computational models such as FEA and CALPHAD. Without reliable physical inputs, simulations remain uncalibrated.

From AHSS and superalloys to titanium and additive materials, Gleeble delivers the control needed to answer critical materials questions—fast.

TURN HEAT INTO INSIGHT
Get precise, real-world thermal and phase data to validate models, optimize processes, and accelerate materials development—faster.

CORE PAIN POINTS - SOLVED

checkmark with rule

Industrial cycles aren’t reproducible in furnaces
Gleeble replicates exact heating/cooling profiles with millisecond precision

checkmark with rule

CCT diagrams are time-intensive
Automated testing reduces timelines from weeks to days

checkmark with rule

High-temperature mechanical data is limited
Generates true stress–strain data for direct FEM input

checkmark with rule

HAZ properties are difficult to isolate
Simulates HAZ in bulk specimens for direct testing

checkmark with rule

Extreme solidification conditions are hard to achieve
Enables stable ultra-high-temperature testing for NDT, NST, and hot cracking

checkmark with rule

Simulation models lack reliable validation data
Provides experimentally validated data to calibrate and verify FEA and CALPHAD models with confidence

SYSTEM CAPABILITIES
Six Core Analysis Domains

Gleeble combines rapid resistance heating, closed-loop thermal control, and mechanical loading for comprehensive thermal and phase analysis.

number 1 with gray rule

Stress vs. Strain Characterization
Generates high-temperature stress–strain data across wide strain rates for rolling, forging, and extrusion simulations. Directly feeds FEM models.

number 2 with gray rule

Dilatometry & Phase Transformation
Measures phase transformations via high-resolution dilatometry, capturing transformation kinetics, expansion, and phase fractions in real time.

number 3 with gray rule

CCT Diagram Generation
Produces complete CCT diagrams in days using programmable cooling to map transformation behavior for steel development and heat treatment design.

number 4 with gray rule

Melting & Solidification Analysis
Measures NDT, NST, solidification range, and hot cracking susceptibility under controlled ultra-high-temperature conditions.

number 5 with gray rule

Thermal Cycling & Heat Treatment
Replicates complex welding and heat treatment cycles, enabling direct testing of HAZ microstructures.

number 6 with gray rule

Microstructure Evolution Monitoring
Captures grain growth, recrystallization, and phase evolution through controlled simulation and post-process analysis.

ADVANCED GLEEBE SYSTEMS FOR THERMAL & PHASE ANALYSIS

Precision-controlled simulation systems designed for accurate phase transformation data, CCT development, and high-temperature materials characterization.

Gleeble 3500

The industry standard for thermal & phase analysis, delivering precise and reliable materials data.

Enables precise thermal & phase analysis with controlled heating and cooling cycles
Ideal for dilatometry, CCT diagram generation, and HAZ simulation
Produces high-quality phase transformation data for steels, superalloys, and advanced alloys
Supports accurate heat treatment simulation and process optimization
Delivers repeatable high-temperature materials testing for research and production environments

> LEARN MORE

Gleeble 3800

Designed for advanced high-force thermal-mechanical simulation, enabling precise and demanding materials testing.

Expands capability for complex thermal-mechanical simulation and material behavior analysis
Generates reliable stress–strain data for direct FEM and modeling input
Ideal for solidification analysis, microstructure evolution, and advanced alloy development
Handles demanding tests requiring higher loads and extended temperature ranges
Provides comprehensive materials characterization for cutting-edge research and industrial applications

> LEARN MORE

TECHNICAL DEEP DIVES
Applications In Detail

Stress vs. Strain Characterization

Gleeble produces true stress–true strain data under controlled temperatures and strain rates, eliminating gradients common in conventional testing.

Used to develop constitutive models and processing maps for steels, superalloys, titanium, aluminum, and more. Data integrates directly into FEM tools like DEFORM and Simufact.

Dilatometry & Phase Transformation Studies

High-resolution dilatometry measures phase transformations through dimensional changes during heating and cooling.

Supports analysis of transformation temperatures (Ac1, Ac3), kinetics (JMAK), phase fractions, and thermal expansion. Enables both CHT and quench dilatometry studies.

Continuous Cooling Transformation (CCT)

Gleeble rapidly generates CCT diagrams by applying controlled cooling rates and analyzing dilatometric response.

Defines hardenability, transformation pathways, and phase boundaries critical to alloy development and heat treatment optimization.

Melting & Solidification Analysis

Simulates near-solidus conditions to measure NDT, NST, and hot cracking susceptibility.

Supports weldability assessment, casting simulation, and solidification behavior in advanced alloys and additive materials.

Thermal Cycling & Heat Treatment Simulation

Reproduces welding thermal cycles using programmable parameters (peak temperature, t8/5, cooling rates).

Enables mechanical testing of specific HAZ regions and supports PWHT, annealing, and multi-pass processing simulations.

Microstructure Evolution Monitoring

Combines Gleeble simulation with EBSD, SEM, and metallography to study grain growth, recrystallization, and phase evolution.

Interrupted testing enables “frozen” microstructure analysis for model calibration and process optimization.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH
Research Papers Using Gleeble

Gleeble systems are widely used in peer-reviewed research across all thermal and phase analysis domains.

Selected Publications

80 pipeline steel deformation modeling — MSEA (2020)
Ti-6Al-4V flow stress behavior — JMPT (2018)
Inconel 718 constitutive analysis — TMS (2021)
AHSS processing maps — Steel Research Int. (2020)

EXPLORE THE FULL RESEARCH LIBRARY
Discover how leading researchers use Gleeble to generate trusted, high-impact materials data. Access the full library of peer-reviewed studies to inform your next breakthrough.

READY TO ADVANCE YOUR MATERIALS RESEARCH?

Whether you are characterizing a new alloy, optimizing a heat treatment process, building CCT diagrams, or validating a computational model — Gleeble provides the physical simulation capability to get there faster, with greater confidence in your data.

Our application specialists work with your specific materials and research objectives to recommend the right system configuration, test protocols, and data analysis approaches.