The influence of the constitutive equation on the simulation of a hot rolling process

In this communication, the differences of three commonly used constitutive equations (the Norton–Hoff law, the hyperbolic sine function and the Hensel and Spittel equation) for hot deformation are first compared with respect to changes of temperature, strain and strain rate. Through applying these three equations into a commercial FEM program—FORGE2®V3.0, the predicted histories of rolling load and temperature are then compared with experimental measurements. Finally, the effect of strain path on the microstructure evolution is discussed, with reference to the volume fraction recrystallised and sub-grain size.