Evaluation of hot strip mill backup roll cladding

A new cladding material based on the Fe–Cr–Mo–V–C alloy system, suitable for submerged arc welding, has been designed for the refurbishment of forged and cast backup rolls used in the finishing stands of hot strip rolling mills. The work undertaken includes mechanical analysis, mechanical testing, and microstructural characterisation. The mechanical analysis indicated the nature and level of stresses operating near the surface of rolls; mechanical testing allowed material performance to be anticipated. An optimal post-weld heat treatment procedure, which maximises strength while minimising material strain hardening, was subsequently chosen. The microstructure of the candidate cladding material is a mixture of lower bainite and martensite, containing a very fine distribution of molybdenum carbides. In situresults have shown that welded rolls outperform traditional rolls, as the amount of steel rolled per millimetre of cladding material is 40% higher than with forged rolls and double that obtained with cast rolls.