Hydrodynamic Model for Cold Strip Rolling

The theory of rolling is modified to allow calculation of a hydrodynamic film thickness and viscous friction coefficient using Reynolds equation for the lubricant. Calculations are made for the case where the fluid film covers the arc of contact. The film thickness is assumed uniform and is determined by the principle of minimum rate of entropy production. It is shown that the apparent coefficient of friction varies significantly over the arc of contact. At small reductions the roll load tends to decrease with speed of rolling, while at high reductions the load tends to increase. The point of maximum roll pressure does not coincide with the neutral plane; and under certain rolling conditions there may be no maximum in the pressure over the arc of contact.