3.14 - Hot Rolling and Direct Cooling

Abstract

Knowledge of process parameters during and after hot rolling is a significant requirement in order to produce a material with the desired microstructures and mechanical properties. In continuous hot rolling mills, different stages may exist, including water descaling, rolling stands, interstand sections, and run-out table. In each of these sections, various thermal and/or mechanical conditions are applied on the rolling metal that would affect material response in successive stages. In other words, an integrated model should be employed in hot rolling operations to evaluate metal behavior and microstructural events at the same time. Therefore, the thermal-mechanical response as well as metallurgical events should be considered together to properly estimate material behavior during and after the hot rolling process.