Optimisation of finishing processes for eliminating rectification of plate and section products (Optifin) : final report

This research fund for coal and steel project was aimed at developing a scientific understanding through the length scale of the influence of cooling, levelling (hot and cold levelling) and straightening on the as-rolled properties (achieved after cooling) and the final mechanical properties/shape following rectification (straightening, levelling), thereby allowing minimisation (i.e. reduced severity of machine penetration) and even potential elimination of cold rectification. This objective has been achieved by a combination of innovative laboratory mechanical tests, material constitutive modelling accounting for length scale effect, microstructural characterisation and finally optimisation methods and selective trials on mills.