Abstract
In order to enhance the quality of plates, various solutions are being implemented, including normalizing rolling, the process of rolling followed by accelerated cooling, as well as new roll gap control systems. The hydraulic positioning of rolls and the working roll bending system can be mentioned here. The implementation of those systems results in increased loads of the rolling stands and working tools, that is the rolls. Another solution aimed at enhancing the cross-sectional and longitudinal shape of rolled plate is the introduction of asymmetric rolling, which consists in the intentional change of the stress and strain state in the roll gap. Asymmetric rolling systems have been successfully implemented in strip cold rolling mills, as well as in sheet hot rolling mills.
The paper present results of studies on the effect of roll rotational speed asymmetry and other rolling process parameters on the change in the shape of rolled strip and the change of rolls separating force for the conditions of normalizing rolling of plates in the finishing stand. The variable process parameters were: the roll rotational speed asymmetry factor, av; the strip shape factor, h0/D; and the relative rolling reduction, ε. Working rolls of the diameter equal to 1000 mm and a constant lower working roll rotational speed of n = 50 rpm were assumed for the tests. The asymmetric rolling process was run by varying the rotational speed of the upper roll, which was lower than that of the lower roll. The range of variation of the roll rotational speed factor, av =vd/vg, was 1.01÷1.15. A strip shape factor of h0/D = 0.05÷0.014 was assumed. The range of rolling reductions applied was ε = 0.08÷0.50. The material used for tests was steel of the S355J2G3 grade. For the simulation of the three-dimensional plastic flow of metal in the roll gap during the asymmetric hot rolling of plates, the mathematical model of the FORGE 2008 ® program was used.
For the mathematical description of the effect of rolling parameters on the strip curvature and rolls separating force the special multivariable polynomial interpolation was used. This method of tensor interpolation in Borland Builder programming environment was implemented.
On the basis of the carried out analysis can be state, that by using the appropriate relative rolling reduction and working roll peripheral speed asymmetry factor for a given feedstock thickness (strip shape ratio) it is possible to completely eliminate the unfavorable phenomenon of strip bending on exit from the roll gap, or to obtain the permissible strip curvature which does not obstructs the free feed of the strip to the next pass or transferring the plate to the accelerated plate cooling stations. Additionally by introducing the asymmetric plate rolling process through differentiating working roll peripheral speeds, depending on the asymmetry factor used, the magnitude of the total roll separating force can be reduced and, at the same time, a smaller elastic deflection of rolling stand elements can be achieved. As a result smaller elastic deflection of the working rolls, smaller dimensional deviations across its width and length finished plate can be obtained.
A Study on the Roll Gap Set-up to Compensate Thickness Variation at Top-end in Plate Rolling