The Cold Rolling Process of 3003 Alloy 3.0mm Thick Strip
Abstract
This article aims to describe the production process of 3003 alloy 3.0mm thick strip by cold rolling. It will also discuss the quality control process associated with this production. This article will provide a basic overview of the operational procedure adopted during cold rolling, point out the quality control parameters in it, explain the components used during the rolling procedure and the equipments used.
Introduction
Cold rolling refers to a process in which metal strip is cold-formed into various shapes using rollers. It is done at temperatures below the metals recrystallization temperature. Cold-rolled strips can have higher dimensional accuracy, better surface quality, and stronger hardening properties than hot-rolled strips. In the cold rolling process, 3003 alloy 3.0mm thick strip is formed by passing it through the roller set several times in a continuous rolling operation.
Procedure
The 3003 alloy 3.0mm thick strip is first fed into the upstream roller of the four-roller mill. From here it is passed backwards and forwards several times through the set of rollers of decreasing size, reducing its thickness by thinning or flattening as it moves. At the end of the cold rolling process, the metal strip has been reduced to its required thickness and has achieved the desired product dimensions.
The required tension along the strip is achieved by passing the metal strip over a single or multiple sets of workrollers engaging the metal strip. By creating tension in the metal strip, it is flattened and become thinner as it passes over the rollers with each pass.
The parameters for each pass include feed roll speed, press roll speed, roll gap, roll force and roll temperature. These parameters can be adjusted to create the desired tensile strength, flatness and thickness in the product. Changes in such parameters can affect the final result and will be adjusted accordingly as needed.
Quality Control
The quality of the cold rolled strips will be inspected before and after the rolling process. This is to ensure that the desired product is produced consistently and within specifications. The standard quality control parameters which are checked include thickness, surface finish, shoulder shape, edge shape, width, length, hardness, tensile strength, ductility and corrosion resistance.
The quality control process begins by testing the material that is used to produce the cold rolled strip. Samples of the material are taken and evaluated according to the required specifications. If the sample material meets the required specifications, it is accepted and then fed into the rolling process.
Finally, the rolled strips are tested once again. This time to verify that their dimensions and strength meet the required specifications, and that the surface finish is acceptable. Rejected strips are removed for recycling or for further processing.
Equipment
The following is the list of equipment used in the cold rolling process:
Rollers: The rollers are the most important component of the cold rolling process as they are responsible for controlling the thickness of the metal strip. The rollers are typically 45-60 mm in diameter and are made of either hardened steel or cast iron.
Shear: The shear is a piece of equipment that removes unwanted parts from the strips. This is done to improve the finished products quality and appearance.
Press: The press is a hydraulic machine which is used to apply the required force to the metal strip while it is passing over the rollers.
Lubricants: Lubricants are used to reduce friction between the metal strip and the rollers in order to reduce wear and tear and improve metal strips surface finish.
Conclusion
In this paper, we have discussed the cold rolling process of 3003 alloy 3.0mm thick strip. We have discussed the procedure adopted in rolling this metal strip, the quality control parameters involved and the equipments used. This process is used to produce metal strip of the desired thickness, strength and surface finish levels. It can also be used to produce cold rolled strips with improved hardness, strength and ductility.
