3D FE Analysis of Thermal Behavior of Billet in Rod and Wire Hot Continuous Rolling Process

 An FE model was developed to study thermal behavior during the rod and wire hot continuous rolling process. The FE code MSCMarc was used in the simulation using implicit static arithmetic. The whole rolling process of 30 passes was separated and simulated with several continuous 3D elastic plastic FE models. A rigid pushing body and a data transfer technique were introduced into this model. The on line experiments were conducted on 304 stainless steel and GCr15 steel hot continuous rolling process to prove the results of simulation by implicit static FEM. The results show that the temperature results of finite element simulations are in good agreement with experiments, which indicate that the FE model developed in this study is effective and efficient.     

Finite Element Simulation of Laser Welding of 904L Super Austenitic Stainless Steel

Experiments on Laser butt welding of 904L super austenitic stainless steel was conducted using diffusion cooled 3.5 kW slab CO₂ laser welding system. The weld geometries such as bead width and depth of penetration were measured. The laser welding process has also been simulated using ANSYS a Finite Element Analysis tool. The effect of laser power, welding speed and focal point position on the bead geometry was investigated. The experimental plan was developed based on the Taguchi technique. The comparison of the results of the simulation indicates that Finite Element Method (FEM) can predict the responses adequately within the limits of welding parameters being used. It is suggested that FEM can be used as a tool for predicting the bead geometry at low values of heat input on laser welding.     

Influence of Non-Uniform Temperature Distribution on Metallic Charge Length on Energy and Force Parameters During Groove-Rolling

 Change in the temperature of band over its length, associated with the stock being non-uniformly heated in the furnace, influences the variations in the magnitudes of energy-force parameters. Using the FEM (Finite Element Model) programs for the computation of the values of the energy-force parameters can take into account the distribution of temperature over the band length. The mathematical model of the computer program Forge2008 was used to theoretically examine the energy-force parameters and plastic metal flow in the roughing stands of the continuous rolling mill. The results of experimental investigation of influence of the non-uniform temperature distribution were presented on the metallic charge length on the energy and force parameters and dimensions of the band during round bars rolling. Thermovision monitoring energy and force parameters monitoring were carried out in continuous rolling mill D350 in one of the Polish industrial plants. On the basis of obtained results, it could be stated that non-uniform distribution of temperatures along the charge length causes local increase of energy and force parameters values and also such distribution affects the local increase of the width of rolled band. The rolling process of charge with non-uniform distribution of temperature could lead to exceeding required dimensional tolerances of the final products.     

Modelling a Skin-Pass Rolling Process by Means of Data Mining Techniques and Finite Element Method

 An experience is presented using the finite element method (FEM) and data mining (DM) techniques to develop models that can be used to optimize the skin-pass rolling process based on its operating conditions. A FE model based on a real skin-pass process is built and validated. Based on this model, a group of FE models is simulated with different adjustment parameters and with different materials for the sheet; both variables are chosen from pre-set ranges. From all FE model simulations, a database is generated; this database is made up of the above mentioned adjustment parameters, sheet properties and the variables of the process arising from the simulation of the model. Various types of data mining algorithms are used to develop predictive models for each of the variables of the process. The best predictive models can be used to predict experimentally hard-to-measure variables (internal stresses, internal strains, etc) which are useful in the optimal design of the process or to be applied in real time control systems of a skin-pass process in-plant.     

热轧带钢短行程控制优化的研究与实践

  短行程控制是热轧粗轧调宽过程中改善带钢端部形状、减少成材率损失的主要方法,而宝钢某热轧机组采用的传统的折线式短行程控制效果较差。采用刚塑性有限元法建立了立轧/平轧三维热应力耦合有限元模型,对粗轧机组轧制过程进行了全过程模拟,模拟结果得到实物验证。根据有限元模拟得到的带钢头尾失宽曲线,运用多项式插值原理,建立了短行程多项式模型,实际使用后提高了轧线成材率。     

高速线材减定径多道次孔型轧制有限元分析及工艺参数优化

采用显式动力学有限元方法对高速线材减定径多道次孔型轧制进行了模拟分析。通过模拟计算的结果,分析了各道次轧件在轧制过程中的宽展变化、等效应变及残余应力的分布、各道次轧制过程中的轧制力及道次间张力变化。根据分析结果,对轧制工艺参数进行了优化,通过调整工艺参数,各道次轧件断面得到了优化,各道次间实现了微张力连轧关系。     

One Modified FE‐model to Simulate the Process Chain of Forming and Welding

This paper presents a possibility of creating a virtual process chain consisting of forming and welding. Independent of any manufacturing process, a variable Finite Element model is introduced. This model can be an input for more than one simulation by means of the Finite Element Method (FEM). The process chain forming and welding is chosen to demonstrate the need and the importance to simulate a process chain in comparison to a single process simulation. Each simulation has its own specifications and intentions. Therefore, an FE‐model for a forming simulation is different from a model for a welding simulation. In this paper a way is shown how to keep the model and the results of a forming simulation for the succeeding simulation of welding. The results of the forming simulation remain as an initial state in the welding simulation. Thereby, a spring‐back behaviour can be modelled. A few adjustments have to be done to satisfy the specifications of the welding simulation. The used material for the integrated simulation is a DC 04 steel. Therefore, metallurgical phases must be considered to achieve sufficient results. For reasons of further industrial applications commercial FE‐solvers are used for calculations. The method of integration is applied to different examples. The verified results are presented and discussed. The simulated transient distortional behaviour of a formed and welded part is presented and compared to a mere welding simulation. A significant improvement of the distortion as a result of the welding simulation is reached by consideration of a previous forming simulation.     

2 250 mm带钢热连轧机板形调控性能改善与提高

以2 250 mm热连轧精轧机为对象,通过有限元仿真,针对末机架在轧制薄带钢时因出现工作辊端部压靠而引起的整机板形控制性能劣化问题,进行了多种工况的定量研究,得出轧件规格和轧制力对工作辊端部压靠的产生及压靠程度的影响,揭示了工作辊端部压靠对轧机板形控制性能的严重负面影响.通过比较研究轧机抵抗工作辊端部压靠的能力,提出了采用基于变接触轧制策略的变接触支承辊初始辊形设计的技术对策,并在投入实际生产使用后取得了明显效果.     

Influence of Non‐linear Effects on Fatigue Assessment of a Welded Structure

In this paper root cracks in a welded structure are investigated using the effective notch stress approach and Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). The problem is complicated by the fact that the welds subjected to endurance stress are located close to a screw joint. The Finite Element (FE) model used for evaluating the fatigue life includes both this screw joint as well as adjacent components and the contact behaviour between the structures. Several important problems in the evaluation of stress intensity factors and notch stresses are investigated. The results can give useful information in the work of performing a fatigue analysis. The areas examined are the significance of the load direction, mesh density, the importance of the right global stiffness in the model, the crack deflection angle and the modelling of a root notch versus the requirements on the drawing.     

Simulation of Rolling Billet in Oval Pass by Explicit Dynamics Elastic-Plastic FEM

A study on prediction of deformation behavior (rolling force, equilibrium strain,spread) during rolling was accomplished with FE code ANSYS/LS-DYNA. The laboratory experiments were conducted on a two-high mill with roll diameter of 170 mm to approve the results of simulation by explicit dynamics FEM. It was found that there is a good agreement between calculated and experimental data, which means that the shape rolling could be analyzed by means of explicit dynamics FEM.     

板厚对冷弯成型过程及回弹影响的有限元模拟

采用ANSYS／LS-DYNA有限元软件的显式求解功能对厚度分别为4mm、5mm、6mm、7mm、8mm的板料进行有限元弹塑性分析，得到板料成型过程中厚度因素对轧件应力、应变的影响规律。接着利用ANSYS的隐式求解功能分析厚度因素对板料回弹的影响规律，并将回弹量的模拟数值与工作现场的回弹数值进行比较，表明计算结果具有一定的可信度。     

推动模型在棒线材轧制过程模拟中的应用

基于三维热一机耦合有限元分析方法建立了刚性体推动模型，模拟棒线材多道次连轧过程。刚性体推动模型与常规有限元模型的比较结果说明刚性体推动模型可以在获得相同的精度前提下，显著地提高运算效率。将所建立的有限元模型应用于304不锈钢粗轧过程的数值模拟，得到了轧件6道次连轧过程的温度场、应变场和轧件的变形过程，并比较了各道次的轧制力模拟结果和轧机许用轧制力。温度场的模拟结果与测量结果的比较证明了模型的可靠性。     

Asymmetric Rolling of Interstitial-Free Steel Using Differential Roll Diameters. Part I: Mechanical Properties and Deformation Textures

IF steel sheets were processed by conventional symmetric and asymmetric rolling (ASR) at ambient temperature. The asymmetry was introduced in a geometric way using differential roll diameters with a number of different ratios. The material strength was measured by tensile testing and the microstructure was analyzed by optical and transmission electron microscopy as well as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis. Texture was also successfully measured by EBSD using large surface areas. Finite element (FE) simulations were carried out for multiple passes to obtain the strain distribution after rolling. From the FE results, the velocity gradient along selected flow lines was extracted and the evolution of the texture was simulated using polycrystal plasticity modeling. The best mechanical properties were obtained after ASR using a roll diameter ratio of 2. The textures appeared to be tilted up to 12 deg around the transverse direction, which were simulated with the FE-combined polycrystal plasticity modeling in good agreement with measurements. The simulation work revealed that the shear component introduced by ASR was about the same magnitude as the normal component of the rolling strain tensor.     

Multi-Pass Simulation of Heavy Plate Rolling Including Intermediate Forced Cooling

Thermomechanical Controlled Processing (TMCP) including accelerated cooling after the final hot rolling pass is a well-established technology,widely applied in HSLA steel plate production.However,there are still certain limitations,especially for thicker plate.The rolling schedule includes a long holding period (HP) after the roughing stage to allow the temperature to fall sufficiently for optimised TMCP during finishing.Intermediate Forced Cooling (IFC) applied during the HP can increase productivity by decreasing the required hold time,can restrict austenite grain growth,and can also improve the subsequent strain penetration in thick plate with further metallurgical benefits.Multi-pass plane strain compression (PSC) tests have been performed on the thermomechanical compression (TMC) machine at Sheffield University including different severities of IFC.Clearly it is impossible to simulate all aspects of the temperature and strain gradients present in thick plates in laboratory specimens,and most of the tests were conducted at temperatures and strains calculated by Finite Element modelling as relevant to specific positions through the plate thickness.However,some aspects of the gradients were addressed with tests using cold platens.The results have indeed shown that IFC can shorten the HP and reduce austenite grain growth and its variation across thick plate.     

Validation of Multi‐scale Model Describing Microstructure Evolution in Steels

Properties of deformed steels depend on various microstructure parameters such as distribution of grain size and precipitates. Strain, strain rate and temperature inhomogeneities make quantitative prediction of microstructure difficult but the Finite Element method is able to model these inhomogeneities. Different scales of phenomena occurring in deformed materials are another difficulty in modelling. Microstructure evolution can be described by more realistic methods (e.g. Cellular Automata CA, Monte Carlo), which, on the other hand, are unable to simulate larger samples. Therefore, development of the methods capable of spanning multiple scales became a current challenge. CAFE modelling, which couples FE and CA methods, is the objective of the paper. The model consists of two layers. The micro‐scale layer, simulated by CA, represents microstructure evolution including nucleation and growth of the grains. Evolution of a dislocation density is described for every grain separately by solving differential equation. The FE thermal‐mechanical model is used as a macro‐scale part. Multistage plane strain compression tests for niobium steel are considered. Distributions of initial and final grain size are measured during the tests. The results from the CAFE model are compared to the measurements and to the predictions by a conventional model. The comparisons confirm the capability of the CAFE method to predict flow stress, recrystallized fraction and grain size distribution. Conventional approach gives a good agreement with experiments for an average grain size only.     

六辊CVC冷轧机凸度控制能力分析及应用

 基于三维有限元建立了六辊CVC辊系模型,该模型耦合了CVC辊形曲线、辊间轧制力分布以及带钢的弹塑性变形和辊系弹性变形,通过迭代计算辊间轧制力及轧辊与轧件的弹塑性变形。通过实际轧制规程数据对比验证了模型的有效性,其模拟计算结果与实际数据的绝对误差在10 μm内,相对误差小于1%。采用该模型研究了板形控制机构如中间辊弯辊、中间辊窜辊和工作辊弯辊对带钢2次凸度和4次凸度的控制规律,并成功消除了生产现场宽薄带钢的边中复合浪缺陷。     

刚塑性有限元求解板材轧制过程的奇异点问题

轧制过程奇异点的存在使得求解不易收敛,是有限元求解轧制过程问题的难点之一。提出了采用双速度点模型解决第一类奇异点问题和相对滑动速度抛物线模型解决第二类奇异点问题。以某钢厂实际轧制数据为例,分析比较了奇异点处理方法对速度场以及计算时间和迭代次数的影响。当单元数从200增加到2 000时,采用双速度点模型处理第一类奇异点问题时计算时间和迭代收敛步数减少8%～67%,采用相对滑动速度抛物线模型处理第二类奇异点问题时计算时间和迭代步数减少15%～61%。双速度模型和抛物线模型处理奇异点方法加快了计算速度并改善了求解的收敛性。     

板坯的轧制力计算

根据Ｓｉｍｓ公式和由滑移线场理论导出的公式计算板坯轧制力,并采用二维刚塑性有限元法计算了板坯轧制力,所得结果与文献介绍的实验数据相比,其精度较好．     

Experimental and numerical study of ball indentation for evaluation of mechanical properties and fracture toughness of structural steel

Determination of mechanical properties of materials using non-conventional techniques has been an active area of research for a long time. Among various small specimen techniques to determine mechanical properties of materials, the ball indentation technique (BIT) has proved to be advantageous. BIT is used to measure material’s mechanical properties including fracture toughness when a tensile test cannot be performed: on welded joints or critical locations of components under service. The present work highlights the applicability of BIT for evaluating flow behaviour of engineering structural steels En24. Standard mechanical properties like ultimate tensile strength, yield stress, strain hardening coefficient evaluated for steels with varying microstructures generated through heat treatment. To determine fracture toughness from the flow behaviour, non linear damage models have been utilized. Using this model, fracture toughness of the En24 steel at different heat treated conditions has been computed using the results generated by the BIT. These results are verified with the already established correlation in literature. Numerical validation of the results generated by the BIT has been carried out by Finite Element Modelling (FEM) using standard ABAQUS software package. The FE model of the BI simulation helps to compute sub indenter stress-strain fields which determine the extent of pile-up in highly ductile materials.