Modelling the temperature distribution and microstructural changes during hot rod rolling of a low carbon steel

This paper presents a mathematical model for predicting the temperature distribution and austenite microstructural changes during hot rolling of steel bars and rod. The model is based on the finite element method for evaluating the temperature distribution and Wusatowski approach to determine the strain field within the deformation zone. Also, by employing double and single hit hot compression experiments, the kinetics of dynamic and static recrystallization of a low carbon steel are determined to predict the flow stress as well as the phase changes in austenite range during and after the hot rolling process. To deal with the correlation between the metal flow and thermal behaviour and transformation kinetics of rolled metal an iterative procedure is utilized. The model is capable of predicting the effects of various process parameters such as rolling speed and interface heat transfer coefficient. A good agreement is found between the predicted results and experimental data.