TRIBOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN HOT-ROLLING OF LOW-CARBON STEELS

Empirical relationships pertaining to the hot rolling of low-carbon steels have been developed which enable the coefficient of friction in the roll bite and the wear of work rolls to be computed from the workpiece temperature, scale thickness, roll roughness, mill speed, and drafting practice. These permit the prediction on a quantitative basis of the operational advantages to be derived from the use of rolling lubricants on a hot-strip mill. Experimentally measured reductions in rolling force, mill-stand drive power, and work-roll wear are shown to be in good agreement with those calculated for conditions of effective hot-rolling lubrication.