Finite Element Simulation of Hot Continuous Rolling of 37Mn5 Tube Billet and Roll Pass Optimization

In order to optimize the continuous rolling schedule for improving the quality of rolled tube billet, three dimensional thermal mechanical coupled finite element simulation is applied to analyse the multi-pass continuous rolling process of Ф100mm 37Mn5 steel tube billet from 200mm×200mm square cast bloom. Due to the larger plastic strain occurring at the corner area of the billet, the bias meshing method for the cross section of billet is used to fine the elements of surface and corner area. The stress, strain, temperature and rolling force of the hot continuous rolling process are simulated to analyse the cause of rolling defect, then the roll pass optimization is worked out based on the analysis of the rolling force variation. The simulated results are verified by the actual test.