Accurate prediction algorithm of rolling force in slab gradient temperature rolling process

Abstract The temperature gradient rolling (GTR) method effectively improves the problem of uneven deformation of surface and core in the rolling of extra-thick plate. Different from the traditional near uniform temperature rolling (UTR) process, there is a large temperature gradient in the thickness direction of the rolled piece during the GTR process, and the rolling force prediction model of uniform temperature rolling cannot be directly applied. Rolling force prediction model is one of the important process control models of plate mill and the basis of plate thickness control. However, there is few research for the method of rolling force predicting during GTR. In order to predict the change of stopping force in GTR process and control the rolling process better, the current paper proposed a simplified method based on the deformation resistance model, fitting of temperature distribution, differential method, and loop iteration. The precision of the method was examined by using a finite element model and plane strain experiment. The mean error between the method and FEM was less than 5%.