Hot rolling is a metalworking process that involves passing metal through pairs of rolls while the metal is heated above its recrystallization temperature. Here's a simple explanation:
Heating:
The metal is heated to a temperature above its recrystallization point. This makes the metal more malleable and easier to deform.
Rolling Mill Setup:
The heated metal is then passed through pairs of rolls in a rolling mill.
Rolling Process:
The rolls compress and elongate the metal, reducing its thickness and altering its cross-sectional shape.
Reduced Thickness:
The metal undergoes plastic deformation, resulting in a reduction in thickness and an increase in length.
Surface Finish:
The hot rolling process often produces a scaled surface on the metal, which may require further processing for a smoother finish.
Types of Hot Rolling:
Hot Strip Mill: Produces hot-rolled coils or sheets.
Hot Plate Mill: Produces hot-rolled plates.
Applications:
Commonly used for producing sheets, plates, and structural components in industries like construction, manufacturing, and transportation.
Advantages:
Hot rolling is efficient for shaping large volumes of metal quickly.
It is suitable for a wide range of metals, including steel, aluminum, and copper.
In simple terms, hot rolling is a metalworking process where metal is passed through rolls at elevated temperatures, resulting in the reduction of thickness and the shaping of the metal into desired forms such as sheets, plates, or structural components.