Microstructure and crystallographic texture of Cu-Zn alloys subjected to ECAP and flat rolling

This paper presents the results of the microstructure and crystallographic texture investigations of the Cu-Zn alloys system with different stacking fault energies (SFE) subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and subsequent flat rolling. It is shown that ECAP leads to the formation of an ultrafine-grained (UFG) structure. Further flat rolling is accompanied by a decrease in the size of structural elements and the formation of nanoscale twins, which are more likely to be detected in an alloy with a lower SFE. As the deformation degree increases, the main crystallographic textures components of the investigated alloys become Brass and Goss components.

Influence of Roll Diameter on Material Deformation and Properties during Wire Flat Rolling

The influence of roll diameter on the strain distribution, shape change, contact pressure, and damage value of a workpiece was investigated during wire flat rolling to control the material properties of the flattened wire. The flattened wires fabricated by the four different rolls were compared using finite element analysis. The strain inhomogeneity of the flat-rolled wire increased with the roll diameter; thus, the macroscopic shear bands were strengthened as the roll diameter increased during wire flat rolling. The contact width and lateral spreading of the flattened wire increased with the roll diameter; therefore, the reduction in area decreased with the roll diameter. The contour of the normal contact pressure on the wire surface exhibited a similar pattern regardless of the roll diameter. The contact pressure showed higher values at the entry, edge, and exit zones in the contact area. The distribution of the damage value varied with the roll diameter. The free surface region tended to have the peak damage value during the process; however, the center region exhibited the maximum damage value with the roll diameter. From the perspective of the damage value, the optimum roll diameter was in existence during wire flat rolling. The underlying cause of the different strain distributions, shape changes, and damage values of the flat-rolled wire was the different contact lengths originating from the different roll diameters during wire flat rolling.

The Density of Deformations Distribution on the Side Edges during Strip Rolling

Experimental densities of intensity distribution for main deformations, as well as the stress strain state of a metal on the side edges of an aluminum strip during its flat rolling, have been determined. Strain, spread and extrusion ratio have been evaluated. The dimensions of the strip cross-section have been chosen in a way that minimizes spreading. Therefore, the deformed state under rolling is close to a flat one. The correlation between the deformation intensity and the stress-strain state of macro-volumes occurred on strip edges has been estimated. The parameters of two-dimensional probability-density function for the joint distribution of deformation intensity and the Nadai-Lode stress-strain parameter have been determined. Distribution densities for longitudinal, transverse deformations and the intensity of main deformations in the zone of strip rolling are bimodal, which corresponds to both forward and backward slip zones under rolling. The results of the work can be used to predict the depletion of plasticity resources during strip rolling.

The Difficulties of Predicting the Coefficient of Friction in Cold Flat Rolling

The flat rolling process is initiated when the frictional forces draw the strip to be rolled into the roll gap. These forces depend on the coefficient of friction, knowledge of which is essential to understand, describe, and analyze the process. Several predictive formulae for the coefficient have been presented in the technical literature. Contradictions are observed, however, when their predictions are compared to each other. The data obtained while cold rolling aluminum and steel strips are used in the analyses. A model of the rolling process—accounting for strain hardening, frictional events, and varying speeds—is then used to determine the coefficients of friction. The use of statistical analyses is found to yield more reliable results than the use of the predictive relations.

Effect of Nb on the Austenite Microstructural Homogeneity of Hot Rolled Rebars

While the role of Nb in flat rolling of low carbon steels has been investigated in many works, the information about the use of Nb in rebar rolling of higher carbon grades is more limited. Rebar rolling presents differences relative to flat rolling that can affect the role of Nb, such as the application of higher number of rolling passes, higher strain rates, lower interpass times, and, consequently, enhanced adiabatic heating. Increasing the number of passes can contribute to austenite grain refinement. However, the high finishing temperatures in rebar rolling can lead also to significant austenite grain growth and microstructural heterogeneity development before phase transformation. This phenomenon will directly influence the final grain size and can also lead to the appearance of second hard phases in the final product. One of the options to avoid austenite grain growth is to add microalloying elements that retard grain growth kinetics, either in solid solution or as precipitates. This can open new roles for the application of Nb in rebar rolling. To analyze this, in this work laboratory torsion tests were performed with two 0.2%C steels microalloyed with two different Nb contents (0.029% and 0.015%). Soaking temperatures from 1100°C to 1250°C were applied to obtain different amounts of Nb in solid solution before grain growth study. The study shows that not only finish rolling temperature and cooling time, but also reheating temperature and the amount of Nb remaining in the form of undissolved precipitates are important factors controlling austenite grain growth.

An Experimental Study of the Thermal State of a Steel Billet during Hot Rolling

The technology of hot flat rolling is a complex technological process that includes multiple shaping of a steel billet, the temperature of a bullet ranging from 1100 to 900 degrees [1-6]. To deform a workpiece, mill rolls are used. The control over a workpiece thermal state is an important task aimed at the quality of its manufacturing [7-13]. To achieve the goal, a mathematical model is developed for calculating a steel billet thermal state. The model makes it possible to determine a temperature distribution along the whole length of a workpiece. The study results are useful for researchers and developers of the hot rolling technology, and they can be applied in the organization of the rolling process with an allowance for the temperature distribution. Based on the results, the parameters of steel billet production can be adjusted or changed [14-18].

Effect of Cambered and Oval-Grooved Roll on the Strain Distribution During the Flat Rolling Process of a Wire

The effect of the roll design on the strain distribution of the flat surface, lateral spreading, and the strain inhomogeneity of a flat-rolled wire were investigated during the flat rolling process. Oval-grooved and cambered rolls with various radii were applied to the flat rolling process based on a numerical simulation. The effective strain on the flat surface of the wire increased when using a cambered roll due to the highly intensified contact pressure on the flat surface, while the effective strain on the flat surface of the wire decreased when using an oval-grooved roll. Lateral spreading decreased when using an oval-grooved roll because the spread in the free surface area of the wire was highly restricted by the oval-grooved roll shape. In contrast, the spread in the surface area increased when using a cambered roll due to the less-restricted metal flow at the free surface. Accordingly, a cambered roll with a small radius is highly recommended in order to improve the surface quality of flat-rolled wires. This is beneficial for industrial plants because the cambered roll can be easily applied in flat rolling plants.