Abstract
A theory of cold rolling of thin gauge strip is presented which, within the idealizations of homogeneous deformation and a constant coefficient of Coulomb friction, rigorously models the elastic deformation of the rolls and the frictional traction at the interface. In contrast with classical theories (3) it is shown that, for gauges less than a critical value, plastic reduction takes place in two zones, at entry and exit, which are separated by a neutral zone in which the rolls are compressed fiat and there is no slip between the rolls and the strip. Roll load and torque are governed by five independent non-dimensional parameters which express the influence of gauge, reduction, friction and front and back tensions. Values of load and torque have been computed (for zero front and back tensions) for a wide range of thickness, reduction and friction and have been found to collapse approximately on to a single master curve.