Modelling of thermomechanical rolling

Over the past 20 years following on from the international conference Niobium 81, considerable progress has been made regarding the development of mathematical models for thermomechanical rolling, from the point of solidification through to the end of finish rolling. As one would expect, certain areas have received far more attention, and are consequently more developed, than other areas. The present paper reviews the key elements associated with those areas which have been reasonably ‘well-developed’, and highlights other areas where understanding is only semi-quantitative at best. Hence, in addition to offering a review of the relevant work from the past 20 years, the paper is very much intended to provide a look forward to those critical components necessary for the establishment of a complete and quantitative ‘through-process’, physically-based model for the rolling of microalloyed steels. (AU)