The initiation and propagation of edge cracks of silicon steel during tandem cold rolling process based on the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman damage model

Edge cracking is a commonly observed phenomenon during the cold rolling process of silicon steel, which may cause the rupture of strips in the rolling mill. In this paper the initiation and propagation of edge cracks under the tandem cold rolling condition were investigated by using the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman damage model. The damage parameters were obtained from the tensile tests data and the SEM analyses. Different cold rolling experiments were carried out by a non-reversing two-high rolling mill and the experimental results agreed well with the finite element calculation results. Parametric studies were carried out and revealed that the crack propagation increases with the increasing of total reduction, friction coefficient, and unit tension. A bigger work roll is beneficial to reduce the edge crack growth as well.