Prediction of edge profile of plate during hot cross rolling

In rolling, formation of convex or concave like edge shape causes loss of material. For cross rolling, where the rolling direction is changed by 90° and is achieved through the rotation of the plate in the rolling plane, the dimensions of the plate is smaller. So, the percentage loss of material due to the uneven edge shapes may increase in case of cross rolling. Since direct industrial trials would be expensive, physical simulation i.e. laboratory-scale experiments or finite element simulation can be implemented to predict the plate shape for different cross rolling pass sequences so as to minimize the loss of material. In the present work, finite element modeling (FEM) has been performed for hot cross rolling of 304 stainless steel plate. The deformation behavior of the plate is considered as rigid visco-plastic and the work roll is considered as a rigid body. The simulation has been performed for two passes. The direction of rolling for the second pass has been changed by 90° i.e. the transverse direction (TD) of the first pass becomes the rolling direction (RD) of the second pass. Considerable amount of change in dimension along the width direction and bulging along the thickness direction have been observed. Flow of material at the four side surfaces has been analyzed by calculating the spreading and elongation velocities. The FEM predicted profiles are in close agreement with the experimental profiles.