Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Lubrication in Strip Cold Rolling

In this work an analytical model based on the slab method was built to analyze the lubrication during cold rolling of aluminum strips. Some process variables were studied like the rolling speed, the cross-section reduction, and lubricant viscosity. Numerical results are presented for pressure variation and film thickness at the inlet and work zones. The loads necessary to separate the rolls are also estimated. Some experimental results are shown for the surface roughness of the rolled products. It is shown that analytical results are in good accordance to experimental results, and that rolling pressure, lubricant film thickness and surface roughness are strongly influenced by rolling conditions, especially the lubricant viscosity and the area reduction.