Rolling Process
Rolling is a process of reduction of sheet metal, sheet metal forming and other similar processes to reduce the cross-sectional area of a metal stock. This process is done by passing the metal between two or more sets of rolls, each set performing a particular function in the creation of a desired shape and structure. The most common type of rolling is hot rolling and for this process, the material is heated up to its recrystallization temperature prior to rolling. This is done to reduce the stresses induced in the material due to plastic deformation.
The two types of rolling processes are flat rolling and shape rolling and both involve the reduction of the thickness of the metal. Flat rolling is the most common process, which involves the rolling of a single sheet of metal in order to reduce its thickness while also creating a flat surface. This is done by passing the material between two or more pairs of rolls and the speed and pressure of the rolls can be varied to change the shape of the product being created. This process is highly flexible and is used to produce a wide variety of products such as coils, sheets, plates and strips.
Shape rolling involves the rolling of a die to form a specific shape in the metal. For example, one type of shape rolling is known as extrusion rolling, which is used to produce cross-sections such as channels, angles, I-beams and other structural shapes. Other types of shape rolling include section rolling, profile rolling, and orbital rolling.
After a sheet of metal has been rolled and shaped, the next step is usually to anneal the material in order to reduce its internal stresses. Annealing is done by heating the metal above its recrystallization temperature and then slowly cooling it down in order to allow any internal stresses to be relieved and for the grains of the metal to become aligned in one direction.
The final step in the rolling process is often to apply a coating or finish to the material. This is usually done by applying an electroplating or other type of coating in order to create a protective layer that will prevent corrosion, wear, and other damage. The type of coating chosen will largely depend on the application and environment in which the material will be used.
Overall, the rolling process is an extremely efficient and cost-effective way to reduce the thickness of a metal while also allowing for a wide range of shapes and sizes to be created. It is used in a variety of industries and is an important process in the creation of a variety of products.
