Computation of strain with different temperature profiles through cross section of rolled billet

The strain and temperature gradients that develop through the cross-section are of particular interest because they could influence the homogeneity of the microstructure. Strain and/or temperature can affect the microstructure in the rolling of long steel products via recrystallization, for example. In this work, a temperature dependent viscoplastic model was used to predict strain, strain rate, and temperature distributions in rolled square billets using the finite element package ABAQUS/EXPLICIT. Constitutive parameters were determined from previous experimental data generated at McGill University and at Metals Technology Laboratories (MTL), CANMET. A three dimensional analysis is performed on the deformation in the rolling of long steel. The rolling of long steel products involves a large variation in strain rates that necessitates the use of a viscoplastic model. The temperature changes associated with the deformation are computed considering an adiabatic process, which is appropriate for the high speed rolling being simulated. Several different mesh sizes and initial temperature profiles are considered as well.