Experiment (3)

Rolling Operations
Dr. Mohammad Al-tahat
Department of Industrial Engineering. University of Jordan.
Lab. Of Manufacturing Processes. Course No: 906412, 0906412

1. Objective:
The main objective of this experiment is to study the process of rolling of metals and to
examine the deferent factors influence the process.
2. Background:
For more information about the subject of the experiments, it is recommended for the
student to review section 6.3 of chapter six of the text.
3. Theory
It is the first process in converting a cast material (ingot) into a finished wrought product,
rolling process can be defined as: the Bulk deformation process of reducing the thickness
or changing the cross-section of a long work-piece by compressive forces applied through
a set of rolls (mills) similar to rolling dough with a rolling pin to reduce its thickness as
demonstrated in figure 5.1.

Figure 5.1: Rolling process description.

Rolling accounts for about 90% of all metals produced by metal forming. The process
first developed in the late 1500s the basic operation is flat rolling (simply) where the
rolled products are flat plate and sheet.
Plates: having greater than 6mm – 0.3 m thickness.
Sheets: having less than 0.6 mm.
A schematic outline of various flat and shape rolling process are shown in figure 5.2 the
figure implies the sequence of operations needed to convert an ingot or a continues
casting into a useful product like strip, plate, bar etc.

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 Figure 5.2 Schematic Outline Of various flat-and shape rolling processes

1. Mechanics of Rolling
Strip Sliding. Schematic illustration for flat rolling is shown in figure [5.3]. Because of
volume constancy, the velocity of the workpiece (strip) must increase as it moves through
the roll gap. At the exit of the roll gap, the velocity of the strip is Vf. because Vr is
constant along the roll gap, sliding occurs between the roll and the strip.

FIGURE [5.3]:
Schematic illustration
of the flat rolling
process. A greater
volume of metal is
formed by rolling than
by any other
metalworking process.

Neutral point. At a certain point a long the arc of contact strip velocity and roll velocity
are the same. It is known as neutral point, or no slip point to the left of the neutral point,
roll moves faster than the workpiece, and to right the workpiece moves faster than the
roll.

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 FIGURE [5.4]:
Relative velocity
distribution between rolls
and strip surfaces. Note
the difference in the
direction of frictional
forces. The arrows
represent the frictional
forces acting on the strip.

Forward slip. In rolling is defined in terms of the exit velocity of the strip Vf and the
surface speed of the roll Vr as: Forward slip = (Vf –Vr)/Vr
State of Stress in Rolling and Roll Pressure
The calculation of forces and stress distribution in flat rolling is more involved than in
upsetting because of the curved surface of contact. In addition, the material at the exit is
strain hardened, so the flow stress at the exit is higher than that at the entry.

FIGURE [5.5]: Stresses on an element in rolling: (a) entry zone and (b) exit zone.

The stresses on an element in the entry and exit zones are shown in figure [5.5]. Using
the slab method of analysis for plane strain.

Figure [5.6]: Forces on the element.

From the equilibrium of the horizontal forces on the element in figure 5.6,

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 (σ x + dσ x )(h + dh) w − (2 pRdφ sin φ ) w − σ x hw ± (2µpRdφ cos φ ) w = 0 for unit width (w = 1)
(σ x + dσ x )(h + dh) − 2 pRdφ sin φ − σ x h ± 2µpRdφ cos φ = 0
σ x h + σ x dh + dσ x h + dσ x dh − σ x h = 2 pRdφ (sin φ m µ cos φ )
σ x dh + dσ x h = 2 pRdφ (sin φ m µ cos φ )

FIGURE [5.7]: Stresses on an element in plane-strain compression (Rolling) between two rolls.

1
εx = [σ 1 − υ (σ 2 + σ 3 )]
E
1
In general ε z = E [σ 2 − υ (σ 1 + σ 3 )]
1
ε y = [σ 3 − υ (σ 1 + σ 2 )]
E
The maximum value for v (or that value for which volume change is zero) is 0.50 i.e. (In
the elastic range 0< ν < 0.5 and there is a volume change). Since we have plain strain
state, then we can write ε2=0, there we obtain
1
[ ]
ε z = σ 2 − 0.5(σ x + σ y ) = 0 ⇒ σ z = 0.5(σ x + σ y )
E (5.1)
i.e. σ z = 0.5(σ x + σ y ) as seen in figure 5.7

According to the distortion-energy criterion for plane strain, we have

( σ1 - σ 2 )2 + ( σ 2 - σ 3 )2 + ( σ 3 - σ1 )2 = 2Y 2
( σ x - σ z )2 + ( σ z - σ y )2 + ( σ y - σ x )2 = 2Y
2 '
σy - σx = Y =Y (5.2)
3
2 ' '
Or p - σx = Yf = Yf ⇒ σx = p - Yf (5.3)
3
(5.4)
Assume the following equation
R ⎛ R ⎞
H =2 tan −1 ⎜ φ⎟ (5.6)
hf ⎜ hf ⎟
⎝ ⎠

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 h m µH
∴ p = CY f` e
R
At entry, ø = α; hence, H = Ho with ø replaced by α. At exit, ø = 0; hence; H = Hf = 0.
Also, at entry and exit, p = Yf`. Hence, in the entry zone,
R m µH i
C= e
hf
h µ ( Ho −H )
∴ p = Y f` e (5.7)
ho
, In the exit zone,
R
C=
hf
h µH
∴ p = Y f` e (5.8)
hf

FIGURE 5.8
Pressure distribution in
the roll gap as a function
of the coefficient of
friction. Note that, as
friction increases. The
neutral point shifts
toward the entry. Without
friction, the rolls slip and
the neutral point shifts
completely to the exit.

The effect of reduction in thickness of the strip on the pressure distribution is shown in
Fig 5.9. As reduction increases, the length of contact in the roll gap increases, which in
turn increases the peak pressure. The curves shown are theoretical; actual pressure
distributions, as determined experimentally, have smoother curves with their peaks
rounded off.

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 FIGURE 5.9
Pressure distribution in the
roll Gap as a function of
reduction in thickness.
Note the increase in the
area under the curves with
increasing reduction in
thickness, thus increasing
the roll-separating force.

Front and Back Tension.

The roll force F can be reduced by various means, such
1. A slower friction,
2. Smaller roll radii,
3. Smaller reductions, and
4. Higher workpiece temperatures.
5. Reduce the plain compressive yield stress of the material by applying
longitudinal tension.

FIGURE 5.10 Pressure distribution as a function of front and back tension. Note the shifting of
the neutral point and the reduction in the area under the curves with increasing tension.

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 Roll Forces.
The area under the pressure-contact length curves (figures 5.8, 5.9, 5.10) multiplied by
the strip width, w, is the roll force, F, on the strip. This force can be expressed as:
φn α
F = ∫ ω . p.R.dφ + ∫ w. p.R.dφ (5.9)
0 φn
A simpler method of calculating the force is multiply the contact area with an average
contact area with an average contact stress:
F = L.w. p average (5.10)
Where L is the arc of contact, it can be approximated as in the following expression.
L = 2 R.∆h
(5.11)
∆h = h0 − h f
R is the roll radius, ∆h is the difference between the original and final thickness of the
strip (draft).

⎧Y ' h ⎫
⎪⎪ , Low frictional conditions, Large Ratio. ⎪
L ⎪
paverage = ⎨ '⎛ µ . L ⎞ ⎬
⎪Y ⎜⎜1 + ⎟ h ⎪
⎪⎩ ⎝ 2.haverage ⎟⎠, Higher frictional conditions, Small L Ratio ⎪⎭

Where Y ' is the average flow stress in plane strain of the material in the roll gap, see
figure 4.13.

Roll Torque and Power.

The roll torque T for each roll can be calculated analytically from the expression
FL
T= (5.12)
2
The power required per roll is
Power = Tω (5.13)

Where ω = 2πN and N is the revolutions per minute of the roll. Consequently, the power
per roll is
πFLN
Power = Kw (5.14)
60000

Where F is in Newton’s, L is in meters, and N is the rpm of the roll. We can also express
the power as

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 2πFLN
Power = hp (5.15)
33000
Where F is in lb and L is in ft.
Example 6.4: Power required in rolling
A 9 in. wide 6061-0 aluminum strips is rolled from a thickness of 1.00 in. to 0.80
in. If the roll radius is 12 in. and the roll rpm are 100, estimate the horsepower
required for this operation.
SOLUTION.
The power needed for a set of two rolls is given by Eq. (5.15) as:
2πFLN 2π (297000)(0.13)(100)
Power = hp = = 735hp
33000 33000
F = L.w. paverage = 1.55 × 9 × 21275 = 297000 Ib
paverage = Y ' = 21275psi

2
Y' = Y = 1.15 × 18500 = 21275
3
L = 2 R.∆h , ∆h = h0 − h f
L = 2 R.(h0 − h f ) = 2 12.(1.0 − 0.8) = 1.55in. = 0.13 ft
⎛h ⎞ ⎛ 1.0 ⎞
ε = ln⎜⎜ o ⎟⎟ = ln⎜ ⎟ = 0.223
⎝ hf ⎠ ⎝ 0.8 ⎠
K (ε )
n
Y= ⇒ From tables K = 30000, n = 0.2
1+ n
30000(0.223)
0.2
Y= = 18500 psi
1.2

Roll bending and flattening.

Roll forces tend to bend the rolls, as shown in Fig. 5.11a, with the result that the strip is
thicker at its center than at its edges (crown). The usual method of avoiding this problem
is to grind the rolls so that their diameter at the center is slightly larger than at the edges.
This is known as camber.

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 FIGURE5.11
(a) Bending of straight
cylindrical rolls
because of the roll
separating force.
(b) Bending of rolls,
ground with camber,
that produce a sheet of
uniform thickness
during rolling.

Forces also tend to flatten the rolls elastically, much like the flattening of tires on
automobiles. Flattening of the rolls increases roll radius and hence yields a larger contact
area for the same reduction in thickness. Thus the roll force F increases.

Spreading of Rolled Metals

the width increases considerably during rolling. This increase in width is known as
spreading Spreading decreases with increasing width-to-thickness ratios of the entering
material, decreasing friction, and increasing ratios of roll radius-to-strip thickness.

2. Miscellaneous Rolling Operations.

Shape Rolling.
This process is used to produce straight structural by passing a bloom through a number
of pairs of specially designed rollers as seen in figure 5.12.

FIGURE 5.12
Stages in shape
rolling of an H
section part. This
process also rolls
various other
structural sections,
such as channels
and I-beams.

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 Ring Rolling.
A small-thick diameter for a ring is expanded into a larger one (thinner diameter). The
ring to be expanded is placed between two rolls, one of which is driven and the other is
idler as seen in figure 5.13, the ring thickness is reduced by bringing the rolls closer as
they rotate.

FIGURE 5.13
Schematic illustration
of a ring-rolling
operation. Thickness
reduction results in an
increase in the part
diameter.

Thread and Gear Rolling.

Threaded Screws and threaded bolts are formed on round rods or work pieces by passing
them between reciprocating or rotating dies as in the figure 5.14 below:

Figure 5.15: Thread and gear rolling operation

Figure 5.16: Required diameter s for both Machined and rolled thread.

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 Rotary Tube Piercing.
Rotary tube piercing is used to make long and thick-walled continuous tubing, as shown
in figure 5.17. FIGURE 5.17
Cavity formation by secondary
tensile stresses in a solid round
bar and its utilization in the rotary
tube piercing process. This is the
principle of the Mannesmann mill
for seamless tube making. The
mandrel is held in place by the
long rod, although techniques have
been developed in which the
mandrel remains in place without
the rod.

Tube Rolling.
The diameter and the thickness of tubes and pipes can be reduced by tube rolling using
shaped rolls, either with or without mandrels.
3. Defects in Rolling
Defects may be on the surfaces of the rolled plates and sheets, or they may be structural
defects within the material.
Surface Defects.
Surface defects may result from inclusions and impurities in the material, scale, rust,
dirt, roll marks, and other causes related to the prior treatment and working of the
material.
Torch (scarfing), is a preconditioning process to remove scale from the surfaces of some
hot rolled product.

Structural Defects.
Some typical defects are shown in Fig. 5.18. Bending of the rolls causes wavy edges. The
cracks shown in Fig. 5.18b and c are usually caused by low ductility and barreling.
Alligatoring is a complex phenomenon resulting from inhomogeneous deformation of
the material during rolling or defects in the original cast ingot, such as piping. Also
Residual stresses considered as a major defect.
FIGURE 5.18
Schematic illustration of
typical defects in flat
rolling:
(a) Wavy edges;
(b) Zipper cracks in
center of strip;
(c) Edge cracks;
(d) Alligatoring.

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4. Materials:
Commercial pure lead (98%).
5. Equipments:
Rolling Mill, Vernier Caliper and measuring instruments, Set of flat lead sheets.
6. Procedures:
1. Adjust the gap between the two rolls.
2. Measure the diameter of the rollers.
3. Set the rolling mill for operation.
4. Measure the thickness of the lead sheet before and after rol1ing.
5. Measure the width of the lead sheet before and after rolling.
6. Measure the length of the lead sheet before and after rolling.
7. Roll the lead sheet by setting the flat sheet between the two rollers.
8. Repeat the rolling sequence for different ratio of sheet width to thickness.
9. Repeat the rolling sequence for different reduction with initial sheet thickness
constant.
10. Repeat the rolling sequence fixed reduction ratio with different initial sheets
thickness.
7. Requirements:
1. Describe the rolling process illustrating with sketch.
2. Make a line diagram showing the method of operation of the rolling mill.
3. Find the reduction ratio (r) for the rolled sheet. r = [tl-tf)/ t1, where tl =initial
sheet thickness before rolling, tf= final sheet thickness after rolling.
4. Find the ratio of initial sheet width to thickness (W1/ t1), for plain strain
condition where there is no or very slightly change in sheet width before and
after rolling.
5. Measure main rolling defects.
8. Questions.
1) Discuss rolling methods and rolling defects?

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