Finite element simulation of hot strip continuous rolling process coupling microstructural evolution

Using the nonlinear rigid-viscoplastic finite element method (FEM), a finite element simulation of the hot strip continuous rolling process was done, which completely integrates different phenomena such as the metallurgical behavior of the strip and the thermo-mechanics in the strip based on the physical metallurgical microstructural evolution law. By combining with the process parameters of certain 2 050 rum hot strip rolling, an actual rolling process of low carbon steel SS400 was simulated using the FEM model. Based on the simulation results, the distributions of the strain field, the temperature field, and the microstructure were presented. Meanwhile, the simulated rolling force, temperature, and microstructure are in good agreement with the measured results.