Evaluation of the Effect of a Natural-Based Emulsion on the Cold Rolling Process

Lubrication in the cold rolling process plays a key role withstanding loads between strip and work rolls, as well ensuring high surface quality, tight geometric tolerances, large thickness reductions. Most of currently used lubricants have synthetic or semi-synthetic formulations, but research for greener alternatives, able to guarantee very low environmental impact during both preparation (use natural raw components) disposal, is increasingly playing role. In present work, lubricating performance natural-based emulsion mineral-based one has been assessed terms forces, Coefficient Friction (CoF) at roll/strip interface, rolls’ wear. Data from two-stands reversing mill (RCM) Marcegaglia plant (Ravenna, Italy) were comparing investigated lubricants. particular, data about forces wear evolution acquired over quite long period (11 months), thus being related type steel. addition, CoF was evaluated using CSM High-Temperature pin-on-disk Tribometer (THT) replicating operating conditions which two are used. Laboratory tests revealed that green lubricant characterized by better (the value 10% lower than formulation). Such result confirmed (an average reduction equal 5.6% obtained lubricant) (less frequent maintenance rolls), determining valuable process-related costs.