Analysis of Secondary Oxide-Scale Failure at Entry into the Roll Gap

Both numerical analysis based on finite-element (FE) modeling and experimental evidence concerning the secondary oxide-scale failure at entry into the roll gap are presented and reviewed for a better understanding of events at the roll-workpiece interface, in turn, leading to better definition of the boundary conditions for process models. Attention is paid to the two limit modes leading to oxidescale failure, which were observed earlier during tensile testing under rolling conditions. These are considered in relation to the temperature, the oxide-scale thickness, and other hot-rolling parameters. The mathematical model used for the analysis is composed of macro and micro parts, which allow for simulation of metal/scale flow, heat transfer, cracking of the oxide scale, as well as sliding along the oxide/metal interface and spallation of the scale from the metal surface. The different modes of oxidescale failure were predicted, taking into account stress-directed diffusion, fracture and adhesion of the oxide scale, strain, strain rate, and temperature. Stalled hot-rolling tests under controlled conditions have been used to verify the types of oxide-scale failure and have shown good predictive capabilities of the model. The stock temperature and the oxide-scale thickness are important parameters, which, depending on other rolling conditions, may cause either through-thickness cracking of the scale at the entry or lead to entry of a nonfractured scale when the scale/metal interface is not strong enough to transmit the metal deformation.