Towards hot levelling strategies for steel heavy plates: analysis of flatness evolution in accelerated cooling, hot levelling, and final air cooling via thermo-mechanical FE modelling

Abstract In the production of heavy plates, flatness products is an essential feature that must be set within narrow tolerances. Thus, understanding evolution throughout all relevant steps in rolling mill paramount for high-quality products. It known most defects arise either due to roll gap deviations or because changing thermal conditions subsequent cooling processes. Severe induced during are treated by a pre-leveller while final plate after dedicated hot leveller. Consequently, thermally need removed this leveller as well. However, it not yet feasible model processing sequence consisting accelerated rolling, levelling, and air cooling. order close analyse process with regard evolution, study, two levelling were developed coupled respect history, deformation, residual stresses. These thermo-mechanical finite element (FE) models successfully applied predict production. Firstly, formation centre waves caused inhomogeneous was captured. Secondly, change predicted. Thirdly, transition from edge observed levelling. This phenomenon (sometimes industrial production) reproduced simulations first time. Finally, analysed via parameter study understand root cause propose alternative strategies avoid it.