> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://dante-solutions-inc.gitbook.io/dante-6.3-help-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://dante-solutions-inc.gitbook.io/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data.md).

# Steel Alloy Data

DANTE models require a comprehensive description of the steels being simulated. The material characterization for steels includes:

* Mechanical Data for each phase as a function of temperature, strain, strain rate and alloy content (primarily carbon)
* Thermal Data for each phase as function of temperature and alloy content (primarily carbon)
* Phase Transformation Kinetics Data during heating, cooling and tempering processes
* Carbon Diffusion and Carbide Data as a function of temperature and carbon concentration
* Nitrogen Diffusion and Nitride Data as a function of temperature and nitrogen concentration

**The material data is defined in seven (7) files:**

* [Steel Material Mechanical Data File](/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data/steel-material-mechanical-data-file.md) (.MECB/.MEC file): This file includes Elastic properties, plastic properties, transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) parameters, thermal expansion and transformation strains, martensite to tempered martensite transformation strains, stress relaxation parameters, and creep parameters.
* [Steel Material Thermal Data File](/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data/steel-material-thermal-data-file.md) (.THMB/.THM file): This file includes specific heat, thermal conductivity, latent heat from phase transformations, and latent heat from melting/solidifying.
* [Steel Material Phase Transformation Data File](/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data/steel-material-phase-transformation-data-file.md) (.DQTB/.DQT file): This file includes phase transformation timing and rate data for transformation of the diffusive and martensitic phases to austenite and for austenite to the diffusive and martensitic phases.
* [Steel Material Hardness Data](/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data/steel-material-hardness-data.md) (.HRDB/.HRD file): This file include hardness data for phases as a function of carbon and nitrogen.
* [Steel Material Carburizing Data File](/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data/steel-material-carburizing-data-file.md) (.CRBB/.CRB file): This file includes carbon diffusivity as a function of carbon and temperature. Also included are carbide formation and dissolution data, when applicable.
* [Steel Material Nitriding Data File](/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data/steel-material-nitriding-data-file.md) (.NTDB/.NTD file): This file includes nitrogen diffusivity as a function of nitrogen and temperature. Also included are nitride formation and dissolution data.
* [Steel Material Precipitation Hardening Data File](/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data/steel-material-precipitation-hardening-data-file.md) (.PHAB/.PHA file): This file includes formation, coarsening, and dissolution parameters for iron and alloy carbides formed during tempering.
* [Steel Material Data Control File](/dante-6.3-help-documentation/readme/material-database/steel-alloy-data/steel-material-data-control-file.md) (.CTL file): This file includes additional DANTE models that can be activated.

Notes:

1. **".CTL** file in text file, and its content can be edited to change the defaults.
2. The material data files defined in the /SDB directory can not be edited.
3. For material customization and expansion, please use the /UDB directory.