Rolling of I-section beams using lead as a model material: Some experimental results

Results of a series of tests rolling $\text{I-}\text{section}$ beams in the first two passes, using lead as a model material, are presented; they include measurements of relative spread, natural elongation, roll load, roll torque and the observed changes in deformation modes with variation in shape factors (height to width ratios) of the specimens and the relative draughts.A comparison of these results is made with those obtained using empirical formulae suggested by earlier research workers. The observed rolling loads are compared also with measurements made of the die loads when rectangular specimens with the same shape factors as in these rolling tests were compressed between shaped dies having grooves similar to that in rolling and compressed under conditions of plane strain and in open-die compression.     

Energy conservation in stainless steel cold rolling applications

In order to predict the performance of rolling oils in actual production mills, from tests in laboratory mills, the influence of various factors, such as shape factors work roll diameter (D), strip thickness (h₁), operating conditions (reduction rate (r), peripheral velocity of roll (U₀), strip velocity (U₁)) and kinematic viscosity of the rolling oil (υ₀) was investigated. A parameter RLI (Rolling Lubrication Index = u₀(U₀+U₁)(1−r)(D/2h₁.r)^½) was found to be useful in predicting lubricating conditions in actual production mill applications. The coefficients of friction of mineral oils, some synthetic hydrocarbons including polybutene, and several kinds of additives were obtained from laboratory mills under the same condition of RLI value as that for finish rolling in actual production mills. With hydrocarbons, paraffins showed the lowest coefficient offriction, while aromatics exhibited a higher coefficient of friction, with naphthenes showing the highest. A high-quality rolling oil was formulated using a combination of ester and paraffinic mineral oil. It is observed that this new oil can save 14% of energy consumed by a laboratory mill compared with conventional rolling oils. In production mills, nearly the same energy conservation level can be achieved.     

Surface strength of silicon nitride in relation to rolling contact performance measured on ball-on-rod and modified four-ball tests

Silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) has been used in various rolling contact applications in turbomachinery, automotive and power industry. It is favoured to replace conventional steel due to its low density, low friction, corrosion resistance and good performance under extreme condition. However, a major limitation of its wider application is its high material and machining cost, especially the cost associated with the finishing process. In the present study, a low cost sintered and reaction bonded silicon nitride (SRBSN) is used to study the surface machining effects on its rolling contact performance. Attempt has been made to link the surface strengths of Si₃N₄ derived from half-rod and C-sphere flexure strength specimens to the rolling contact lifetimes of Si₃N₄ rod and ball specimens. The rolling contact fatigue tests are carried out on ball-on-rod and modified four ball machines. Three types of surfaces with coarse, fine and conventional finishing conditions are examined. Flexure strength tests on half-rod and C-sphere show an increasing surface strength from specimens with coarse, fine to conventionally machined conditions. During rolling contact fatigue test of as-machined specimens, there are no failures observed on both ball-on-rod and four ball tests after 100 million stress cycles. However, there is a trend of decreasing wear volumes measured on the contact path of rods and balls with coarse, fine and conventional conditions. In four ball test, spall failures are observed on pre-crack specimens. There is a trend of increasing rolling contact fatigue lifetime from pre-cracked specimens with coarse, fine to conventional machining conditions.     

Real Time TEM Imaging of Compression and Shear of Single Fullerene-Like MoS2 Nanoparticle

The deformation and degradation behavior of single inorganic fullerenes nanoparticles of MoS₂ under compression and shear has been observed in real time using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope equipped with a nanoindentation holder. The MoS₂ nanoparticles were compressed using a nanoindenter and a truncated diamond tip. For the first time, real time imaging of the deformation of individual nanoparticles clearly shows first orientation changes in the particle shape during loading process followed by a large deformation and the exfoliation of the outer sheets of the fullerene nested structure. Exfoliation was observed for a contact pressure estimated at 1 GPa. Additional sliding tests performed with the nanoindenter gave evidence for a rolling process for lower contact pressures up to 100 MPa.     

Rolling contact fatigue performance of detonation gun coated elements

Rolling contact fatigue performance of thermal spray coatings has been investigated using an experimental approach. A modified four ball machine which simulates a rolling element bearing was used to examine the coating performance and failure modes in a conventional steel ball bearing and hybrid ceramic bearing configurations. Tungsten carbide (WC-15% Co) and aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) were thermally sprayed using a super D-Gun (SDG2040) on M-50 bearing steel substrate in the geometrical shape of a cone. A coated cone replaced the upper ball that contacts with three lower balls. The rolling contact fatigue (RCF) tests were performed under immersed lubricated conditions using two different lubricants. Fatigue failure modes were observed using a scanning electron microscope. Microhardness measurements of the coating and the substrate and elastohydrodynamic fluid film thickness results are included. The results show the requirement for significant optimization of the coating before use in rolling element bearing applications. The coating was fractured in a delamination mode. Test results show an optimization in coating process is required before these coatings can be used for rolling contact applications. WC-Co coatings perform better than Al₂O₃ coatings in rolling contact.     

Experimental measurements of load and strip profile in thin strip rolling

Experiments are described in which plasticine strips are rolled using elastomer rolls. Conditions cover the range from “thick strip” behaviour, in which roll elastic deformations are small, to “thin strip rolling”, in which elastic deformations of the rolls are very significant. Results provide the first direct experimental confirmation of the thin strip rolling model proposed by Fleck et al. (Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs B206 (1992) 119–131). Strip profiles clearly show a short region of reduction at the inlet to the bite and a central region which is relatively flat, in accord with the theory. The profiles do not however show a short region of reduction at the exit as predicted. For intermediate strip thicknesses the measured loads are in reasonable agreement with theory. For the thinnest strips, although the form of the dependence of load on reduction and inlet strip thickness is as predicted by theory, the measured loads are almost an order of magnitude lower than predicted. It is suggested that this is caused either by differences between the assumed rigid–perfectly plastic strip and the real constitutive behaviour of the plasticine, or by errors in treating the rolls as elastic half-spaces, an approximation which is accurate for industrial metal rolling, but is not good for the conditions of these experiments.     

Evaluation of Hot Pressed Silicon Nitride as a Rolling Bearing Material

A series of tests has been conducted to evaluate the suitability of silicon nitride as a bearing material for rolling contact applications. The ability of silicon nitride to be lubricated by some conventional lubricants was found to be satisfactory. This was determined by wettability studies, lubricant film thickness and traction coefficient measurements on the optical EHD rig and friction coefficient measurements by the pin-on-disk method. The abrasive wear coefficient, measured on a lopping machine using 600 grit SiC abrasive, was found to be high compared to other ceramics. It was also dependent on the composition of the silicon nitride. Comparative rolling contact fatigue tests on steel and silicon nitride flat washers were conducted using steel rollers and balls. A high wear rate leading to grooving in the rolling track on silicon nitride was observed. The spalling resistance of silicon nitride was found to be higher than that of steel under the test conditions used. Surface interactions in the Si₃N₄-M50 steel contacts, detrimental to the life of the steel rolling elements, were recognized. Attempts were made to reduce the severity of these interactions and prolong the life of bearings containing ceramic elements.     

Simulating angular ball bearing lubricated elliptical contacts Film thickness and traction measurements

A high performance barrel and plate apparatus was built to study film formation and traction by simulating the real situation of a lubricated elliptical contact in an angular ball bearing under general kinematic conditions. Simultaneous measurements of load, speed of each surface, traction, and film thickness by optical interferometry can be performed. The sapphire disc plate and the steel barrel are driven independently at constant controlled speeds. Small relative sliding, lateral sliding and spinning near pure rolling conditions can be imposed by controlling barrel shaft angle contact location. Tests were performed at ambient temperature for a small barrel whose principal radii are 1.34 mm and 9.7 mm, for applied loads which generate Hertzian pressures up to 2 × 10⁹ N/m², and for a low viscosity mineral oil. Typical experimental results show that under elasto-hydrodynamic conditions, the centre film thickness is slightly below the values calculated from classical elastohydrodynamic theories and that oil starvation occurs at high speeds. Traction curves versus slide/roll ratio are presented for different loads and under spinning and lateral sliding conditions.     

Towards a new theory of cold rolling thin foil

The theoretical framework is developed for a new theory of cold rolling thin metallic foil. Unlike previous theories, the work rolls are allowed to deform to a non-circular profile and finite regions of no-slip between strip and work rolls are allowed to occur in the roll bite. The theory predicts that plastic reduction occurs near entry and near exit of the roll bite, separated by a central region where the strip does not suffer reduction and does not slip relative to the work rolls. As the reduction is decreased to zero the theory reduces to essentially the Johnson and Bentall theory [J. Mech. Phys. Solids 17, 253 (1969)] for the onset of plastic reduction in a strip. At large strip thicknesses and finite reductions the new theory approximates the Bland and Ford theory [Proc. Inst. Mech. Engrs 159, 144 (1948)] of cold rolling.     

Simplified theories of flat rolling-I. The calculation of roll pressure, roll force and roll torque

The classical theories of rolling continue to be widely used in practice although finite element methods can provide a more detailed analysis of the deformation during rolling. Both a homogeneous deformation solution and an inhomogeneous method for calculating the roll pressure are reformulated as a development of the classical theories of flat rolling. The new solutions do not require the gradient of the stress-strain curve d(2k)/dφ. This simplifies the computations, leads to consistent estimates of the main rolling parameters including the calculation of the roll torque and allows more general yield stress functions to be readily included in solutions for hot or cold rolling. Data for the rolling of annealed copper is used to establish the consistency and accuracy of the new solutions.     

Experimental Investigation of Elastohydrodynamic (EHD) Film Thickness Behavior at High Speeds

At very high speeds, elastohydrodynamic (EHD) films may be considerably thinner than is predicted by classical isothermal regression equations such as that due to Dowson and Hamrock. This may arise because of viscous dissipation, shear thinning, frictional heating or starvation.

In this article, the contact between a steel ball and a glass disc over an entrainment speed ranging from 0.05 m s^?1 to 20 m s^?1 was studied. Two sets of tests were performed. In the preliminary testing, the disc was driven at speeds of up to 20 m s^?1 and the ball was driven by tractive rolling against the disc, its speed being determined using a magnetic method. After all possible explanations for the reduction in film thickness at high speeds were considered, it was shown that the results, which fall well below classical predictions, are consistent with inlet shear heating at the observed sliding speeds.

Another set of tests was then performed, with both disc and ball driven separately, so that the accuracy of the shear heating theory for different types of oils and at different sliding conditions could be assessed. It was found that the thermal correction factor predicts the trend of film thickness behavior well for the oils tested and is particularly accurate at certain slide–roll ratios (depending on the type of oil). Experimental data were also used to obtain improved coefficients for the correction factor for different types of oil to achieve better prediction of film thickness at high speed throughout the whole range of slide–roll ratios.     

Mathematical model for cold rolling and temper rolling process of thin steel strip

A mathematical model for cold rolling and temper rolling process of thin steel strip has been developed using the influence function method. By solving the equations describing roll gap phenomena in a unique procedure and considering more influence factors, the model offers significant improvements in accuracy, robustness and generality of the solution for the thin strip cold and temper rolling conditions. The relationship between the shape of the roll profile and the roll force is also discussed. Calculation results show that any change increasing the roll force may result in or enlarge the central flat region in the deformation zone. Applied to the temper rolling process, the model can well predict not only the rolling load but also the large forward slip. Therefore, the measured forward slip, together with the measured roll force, was used to calibrate the model. The model was installed in the setup computer of a temper rolling mill to make parallel setup calculations. The calculation results show good agreement with the measured data and the validity and precision of the model are proven.     

Sliding friction and wear properties of CNX/TiN composite films

A combined dc magnetron sputtering and multi-arc deposition system was used to grow CN_X/TiN composite films on a high-speed-steel (HSS) substrate. The thickness of these films is about 3 μm, the hardness of the coating exceeds 50 GPa. The sliding friction properties were studied by ball-on-disc tests under different loads and speeds. The wear mode of the films was observed and analyzed. There exist spallation, abrasion and micro-ploughing wear modes under different loads. The critical load value was theoretically determined and tested to be 55 N. The results show that the alternating films have good wear resistance under heavy load and high speed.     

An approximate model for predicting roll force in rod rolling

This paper presents a study of the effect of rolling temperature, roll gap (pass height), initial specimen size and steel grades of specimens on the roll force in round-oval-round pass sequence by applying approximate method and verifications through single stand pilot rod rolling tests. The results show that the predicted roll forces are in good agreement with the experimentally measured ones. The approximate model is independent of the change of roll gap, specimen size and temperature. Thus, the generality of the prediction methodology employed in the approximate model is proven. This study also demonstrates that Shida’s constitutive equation employed in the approximate model needs to be corrected somehow to be applicable for the medium and high carbon steels in a lower temperature interval (700–900°C).     

Temperature rise due to sliding in rolling/sliding elastohydrodynamic lubrication line contacts: an efficient numerical analysis for contact zone temperatures

An efficient numerical method based on Lobatto quadrature analysis is adopted for a rigorous analysis of temperature in elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) line contacts. Temperature distributions are calculated for maximum Hertzian pressures and rolling speeds varying between 0.5 to 2.0 GPa and 1 to 30 m/s, respectively. Significant mid-film temperature and surface temperature increases have been observed at higher rolling speeds with an increase in loads and slip ratios. Results have been compared with the results of Manton, S. M., O'Donoghue, J. P. and Cameron, A., Temperatures at lubricated rolling/sliding contacts. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1967–68, 182(417), 813–824. An empirical equation is presented for the prediction of non-dimensional maximum mid-film temperature in the contact zone in terms of the dimensionless thermal loading parameter Q, dimensionless load W and slip S, as:

     

通过流固耦合加热的轧辊温度场分析

针对目前镁合金板材轧制过程轧辊温度控制方式精度差,易造成板材的板形、板厚及裂纹等缺陷,采用流体循环流动传热的方式对轧辊进行温度控制,建立轧辊、流体传热过程的流固耦合模型,基于FLUENT软件对二者间的流固耦合传热过程进行数值模拟及试验验证。结果表明：用该方法加热轧辊时,辊身表面温度呈线性分布,边部与中间的温差范围为3～7℃,轧辊有效轧制区间占轧辊总长85%～100%左右,且流体温度与速度对其影响较小;在不同流体温度和流速下,轧辊表面温度均呈速率减小的趋势上升,流体温度升高及流速增大时,轧辊温升速率增大;得出在不同加热条件下,轧辊表面平均温度T与加热时间t的关系式;轧辊表面平均温度的试验与模拟值的最大相对误差为6.29%。该模型可正确预测轧辊表面的平均温度,作为镁合金板材轧制模型的一部分,利于轧制过程中轧辊的“等温”控制,实现“镁合金板材的等温轧制”控制。     

万能凸度轧机中间辊偏移板形调控能力分析

1420单机架万能凸度轧机(Universal crown mill,UCM)轧制极薄带时,中间辊偏移对正向轧制与负向轧制时工作辊弯辊、中间辊弯辊及中间辊窜辊的板形调控特性存在一定的影响,从力学角度分析辊系的受力状态,并运用LS-DYNA有限元软件建立显示动力学模型,定量计算中间辊不偏移轧制与正向偏移轧制及负向轧制时各板形调控手段的调控特性。计算结果显示轧机中间辊不偏移时,工作辊弯辊力与带钢凸度呈线性关系,随着工作辊弯辊力的增大,带钢凸度减小;当中间辊偏移时,工作辊弯辊调控功效要大于中间辊不偏移时,且正向轧制的弯辊调控功效要优于负向轧制;中间辊弯辊调控特性表现出与工作辊弯辊相似的变化趋势。不同中间辊窜辊的板形调控能力变化不大,不偏移轧制与负向轧制调控能力基本相同,正向轧制在窜辊量为15~30 mm范围内,其调控能力好于另外两种轧制工况。     

Prediction of geometrical profile in slit rolling pass

In the shape rolling process, the reduction of the number of passes is a challenging topic for the steel industry. This can be achieved by enhancing the design approach or by developing new rolling passes that allow the production of high cross-section reductions such as with the slit roll pass. However, in order to design a robust roll pass, the lateral spread of the workpiece must be predicted correctly to prevent incomplete, or even worse, excessive roll groove fulfilling (which may cause roll damage). In the present investigation, the possibility of using a finite element model to predict the lateral spread in a slit roll pass is investigated. The results of the finite element model are then used to adapt and calibrate two analytical models that were developed originally for strip rolling and shape rolling with concave grooves.     

Boundary element analysis of stress singularity in dissimilar metals by friction welding

Friction-welded dissimilar metals are widely applied in automobiles, rolling stocks, machine tools, and various engineering fields. Dissimilar metals have several advantages over homogeneous metals, including high strength, material property, fatigue endurance, impact absorption, high reliability, and vibration reduction. Due to the increased use of these metals, understanding their behavior under stress conditions is necessary, especially the analysis of stress singularity on the interface of friction-welded dissimilar metals. To establish a strength evaluation method and a fracture criterion, it is necessary to analyze stress singularity on the interface of dissimilar metals with welded flashes by friction welding under various loads and temperature conditions. In this paper, a method analyzing stress singularity for the specimens with and without flashes set in friction-welded dissimilar metals is introduced using the boundary element method. The stress singularity index (??) and the stress singularity factor (??) at the interface edge are computed from the stress analysis results. The shape and flash thickness, interface length, residual stress, and load are considered in the computation. Based on these results, the variations of interface length (c) and the ratio of flash thickness (t ₂/t ₁) greatly influence the stress singularity factors at the interface edge of friction-welded dissimilar metals. The stress singularity factors will be a useful fracture parameter that considers stress singularity on the interface of dissimilar metals.     

Optimizing the Design of Cluster Mill Rolling Bearings

The design of back-up roll bearings in cluster-type rolling mills has, historically, been dictated by past engineering trial and error experience. Thus, to cause the bearings to act, as nearly as practicable, similarly to conventionally supported bearings, the outer ring section is usually made very heavy precluding large ring deflections.

There exists controversy among bearing manufacturers as to whether a bearing having many rollers of small diameter or one having a smaller number of larger rollers is best in this application. The study herein presented examines bearing life under each condition while fully accounting for the effect of outer ring deflection on fatigue life.

The investigation further demonstrates that an optimum design with regard to outer ring section thickness in relation to diametral size and number of rollers per row does exist with respect to bearing fatigue life. Whether such design is compatible with possible outer ring destruction due to heavy roll loads can only be proved by on-site testing.