Theoretical analysis of "slow hot rolling" in direct linkage with thin slab and strip continuous casting

The present investigation was undertaken in context with the development of the single-belt strip casting process. In this new process the casting is directly connected to hot rolling which must be carried out at lower speed than in conventional hot rolling to match the casting rate. We have used an integrated thermal/mechanical finite element model to theoretically study the effect of rolling speed on rolling parameters. Since the model is general and the question of "slow hot rolling" is of general interest, the computations were carried out for a wide range of volumetric flow rate extending from that in thin slab casting to that in conventional finishing rolling. The results are given on the influence of rolling speed on roll force, torque, power, temperature change of stock and roll, and roll life. The most important effect of slow hot rolling seems to be the increased heat up of the rolls. This causes an increase of plastic strain in the near surface region of the rolls that will intensify the formation of fatigue cracks.