The Rolling of Very Thin Sheets

Abstract

Thin strip specimens were reduced to foil by passing them repeatedly between the rolls of a two-high mill at low speeds. Narrow specimens were tested to avoid complications caused by roll bending. Factors governing the rate of reduction were examined, these being roll preload value and roll surface finish for low carbon strips as well as material strength, hardness, and anisotropy for aluminum and copper. No minimum thickness was found for the steel specimens; for aluminum and copper limiting thickness values were obtained based on the onset of edge cracking and longitudinal fracture. Thickness values and total number of passes were found to be inversely related. Roll surface finish and preload value affected the rate of reduction in a significant manner; hardness and developing anisotropy did not.