Modelling oxidation of hot rolling work rolls

Abstract

A mathematical model was developed to compute the growth of the oxide layer found on the surface of hot rolling work rolls. The model considers that the rolls are installed in a continuous hot strip mill, and that their surface is subjected to the thermal cycling that results from contact with the steel being rolled and from the water delivered from cooling headers located at different angular positions. Growth of the oxide layer was measured on samples that were cut from work rolls and placed in an electric box furnace for several periods at different temperatures. The model calculates the growth of the oxide layer with the aid of a temperature compensated time parameter that allows for the non-isothermal conditions occurring at the surface of the roll, using the kinetics deduced from the experimental trials. It was found that the characteristics of the oxide layer encountered on the surface of the experimental samples and those of the layer observed on work roll trials were similar.