Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Case Studies in Construction Materials

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/cscm

Case study

Effects of rolling process parameters on the mechanical

properties of hot-rolled St60Mn steel
Peter U. Nwachukwu*, Oluleke O. Oluwole
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article history:
Received 20 July 2016 This work studied the effect of rolling process parameters at different rolling strain rates, %
Received in revised form 24 December 2016 total deformations and finish rolling temperatures on the mechanical properties of hot-
Accepted 17 January 2017 rolled St60Mn steel. The rolling process parameters studied included finish rolling
Available online 9 February 2017 temperature, % total deformation and rolling strain rates. The results were compared with
existing literature on rolling carbon steels. The tensile strength, yield strength, hardness,
Keywords: young’s modulus of elasticity, toughness, bendability, % enlongation and % reduction in area
Rolling of the hot-rolled product were obtained. The results showed that the rolling process
strength
parameters remarkably influenced the mechanical properties of St60Mn steel. The trend in
St60Mn steel
property change was dictated by rolling strain rate, % total deformation and finish rolling
finish rolling temperature
% total deformation temperature.
Rolling strain rate It was concluded that increasing the rolling strain rate from 6.02851 103s-' to
6.10388  103s-', using % total deformations of 99% and finish rolling temperature of 958  C
enhanced the mechanical properties of St60Mn steel.
© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY
license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

1. Introduction

It had be concluded so far that in hot rolling, increase in height of roll grooves which was a function of its expansion,
caused by the process parameters, resulted in increase in thickness of rolled stock, which affected the mechanical properties
of the rolled samples such as ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, bendability, modulus of elasticity, % reduction in area,
hardness, toughness and % elongation, depending on the diameter of rebar being rolled.
Dutta [19_TD$IF]stated that during hot-rolling, a metal billet or bloom/slab with a thickness hi enters the rolls at the entrance plane
x-x with a velocity vi. It passes through the roll gap and leaves the exit plane y-y with a reduced thickness hf and at a velocity
vf. Given that there is no increase in width, the vertical compression of the metal is translated into an elongation in the rolling
direction. Since there is no change in metal volume at a given point per unit time throughout the process,

bhivi = bhv = bhfvf

Where, b is the width of the metal stock, v is the velocity at any thickness h intermediate between hI and hf.
Obikwelu [2], in his study on the optimization of mechanical properties of rolled products, discovered that most mills in
developing nations of the world still operated on the basis of conventional rolling which was devoid of modern facilities

* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: ebubedikeugwu@gmail.com (P.U. Nwachukwu), lekeoluwole@gmail.com (O.O. Oluwole).

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2017.01.006
2214-5095/© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146 135

Table 1
Chemical composition of the material specimen used.

Steel grade Chemical composition %

C Si Mn P S Cr Ni Cu N
ST60Mn 0.41 0.24 1.12 0.021 0.008 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.010

offered by controlled rolling. According to his findings, conventional mill operations were not executed along with the
necessary temperature monitoring with a view to controlling the evolved microstructure.
Saroj [5] further stated that steel bars produced through conventional rolling often exhibited abysmally low mechanical
properties. From their findings, control of inter-stand temperature such that the desired initial austenite grain size is
achieved at the last stand is imperative. This would ensure that appropriate phase transformation of the right grain size,
morphology and texture is obtained during cooling of the bars.

Table 2
Effects of rolling strain rates on the mechanical properties of St60Mn steel at constant finish rolling temperatures,changing % total deformations.

Sample ID Rolling strain % Total Finish rolling Ultimate Yield % Toughness Bendability % Hardness Young’s
rate (S-') deformation temperature tensile strength Elongation (J/mm2) Reduction (HB) modulus of
( C) strength (MPa) in area elasticity (GPa)
(MPa)

01 6.02851 103 99 922 612 445.3 18.6 0.4607 45.95 30.2 222 57
02 6.02851 103 98 922 569 425 19 0.5089 44.48 36 221 53
03 6.02851 103 96 922 509.5 423 19.5 0.5195 42.75 40 216 40
04 6.03713  103 99 922 614 450.5 18.4 0.4606 46 30 224 60
05 6.03713  103 98 922 569.6 426 18.7 0.5086 44.49 34.9 223 53
06 6.03713  103 96 922 511 424 19.2 0.519 42.78 39 217 40
07 6.06754  103 99 922 614.6 456.5 18.1 0.4605 46.05 29.8 229 61
08 6.06754  103 98 922 570 428.5 18.4 0.5076 44.5 34.5 224 53
09 6.06754  103 96 922 512.8 425 18.9 0.5185 42.9 39.9 218 42
10 6.07132  103 99 922 622 477 16 0.4605 46.25 26.8 229 61
11 6.07132  103 98 922 572.3 440 17.3 0.502 44.53 34.2 225 55
12 6.07132  103 96 922 520.1 429 17.7 0.5135 43.45 39.8 220 42
13 6.0981 103 99 922 629 479 15.7 0.4527 46.28 26.3 230 62
14 6.0981 103 98 922 580 443.3 16 0.501 45 34.1 226 55
15 6.0981 103 96 922 539 441 16.9 0.5127 43.52 39 221 44
16 6.10388  103 99 922 635.7 483 15.4 0.4525 46.34 26 231 65
17 6.10388  103 98 922 600 445 15.9 0.498 45.2 33.5 227 56
18 6.10388  103 96 922 598.6 443 16.3 0.512 43.6 37.8 222 44
19 6.02851 103 99 939 610 445 18.7 0.4608 44.93 30.3 221 56
20 6.02851 103 98 939 568 424 19.5 0.509 44.47 37 220 53
21 6.02851 103 96 939 509 421 19.9 0.5196 42,74 43 215 40
22 6.03713  103 99 939 613 448 18.5 0.4607 45 30.1 223 59
23 6.03713  103 98 939 570 425 18.8 0.5087 44.48 35 222 53
24 6.03713  103 96 939 510 423 19.4 0.5192 42.77 41 216 40
25 6.06754  103 99 939 614 456 18.2 0.4606 46.04 29.9 227 60
26 6.06754  103 98 939 572 428.4 18.5 0.5077 44.49 34.7 223 53
27 6.06754  10 96 939 512.7 424 19 0.5186 42.8 40 217 41
28 6.07132  103 99 939 621 464 17 0.4605 46.24 26.9 228 60
29 6.07132  103 98 939 579 436 17.4 0.503 44.52 34.3 224 54
30 6.07132  103 96 939 520 428 17.9 0.5136 43 39.9 219 41
31 6.0981 103 99 939 628 476 16.7 0.4528 46.27 26.5 229 61
32 6.0981 103 98 939 583 443.2 16.3 0.502 44.98 34.2 225 54
33 6.0981 103 96 939 538 440 17 0.5128 43.51 39 220 43
34 6.10388  103 99 939 634.7 480 16.4 0.4526 46.33 26 230 64
35 6.10388  103 98 939 598 444 16 0.499 45.1 33.8 226 55
36 6.10388  103 96 939 580 442 16.5 0.513 43.5 37.9 221 43
37 6.02851 103 99 958 508 443 19.4 0.461 44.91 30.8 220 55
38 6.02851 103 98 958 566 423 20.4 0.515 43.47 39 219 51
39 6.02851 103 96 958 507 419 21.2 0.5199 42.72 48 214 39
40 6.03713  103 99 958 611 446 19.1 0.4609 44 30.5 222 58
41 6.03713  103 98 958 568 424 19.6 0.5095 43.5 37 221 52
42 6.03713  103 96 958 505 420 20.5 0.5197 42.75 45 215 39
43 6.06754  103 99 958 613 454 18.9 0.4608 45 30 226 59
44 6.06754  103 98 958 570 427 19.4 0.5085 44.46 34.8 222 52
45 6.06754  103 96 958 511 422 20.2 0.5187 42.8 43 216 40
46 6.07132  103 99 958 620 463 18 0.4607 45.23 28.6 227 59
47 6.07132  103 98 958 577 435 18.6 0.5039 44.5 34.4 223 53
48 6.07132  103 96 958 518 425 19.8 0.5156 43 41.1 218 40
49 6.0981 103 99 958 626 475 17.7 0.453 46.24 26.6 228 60
50 6.0981 103 98 958 582 442 18.3 0.5029 44.90 34.3 224 53
51 6.0981 103 96 958 536 439 19.2 0.5135 43.49 40 219 43
52 6.10388  103 99 958 633 478 17.3 0.4528 46.3 26.1 229 63
53 6.10388  103 98 958 596 443 17.9 0.501 45 33.9 225 54
54 6.10388  103 96 958 570 441 18.6 0.5131 43.5 38.8 220 43
 136 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]

1a 1b

2a 2b
Fig. 1. 1a: Ultimate tensile strength versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing % total deformation. 1b: Ultimate tensile
strength versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C, changing % total deformation.
2a: Bendability versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing % total deformation. 2b: Bendability versus rolling strain rate
at a constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C, changing % total deformation.
3a: Toughness versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing % total deformation. 3b: Toughness versus rolling strain rate
at a constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C, changing % total deformation.
4a: Hardness versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing % total deformation. 4b: Hardness versus rolling strain rate at a
constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C, changing % total deformation.
5a: % Enlongation versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing % total deformation. 5b: % Enlongation versus rolling
strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C, changing % total deformation.
6a: % Reduction in area versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing % total deformation. 6b: % Reduction in area versus
rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C, changing % total deformation.
7a: Young’s modulus of elasticity versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing % total deformation. 7b: Young’s modulus
of elasticity versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C, changing % total deformation. 2c: Bendability versus rolling strain rate at a
constant finish rolling temperature of 958  C, changing % total deformation. 1c: Tensile strength versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature
of 958  C, changing % total deformation. 3c: Toughness versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 958  C, changing % total deformation.
8c: Yield strength versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 958  C, changing % total deformation.
8a: Rolling strain rate versus yield strength at a constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing % total deformation. 8b: Rolling strain rate versus yield
strength at a constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C, changing % total deformation. 7c: Young’s modulus of elasticity versus rolling strain rate at a constant
finish rolling temperature of 958  C, changing % total deformation. 6c: % Reduction in area versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of
958  C, changing % total deformation. 5c: % Enlongation versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 958  C, changing % total deformation.
4c: Hardness versus rolling strain rate at a constant finish rolling temperature of 958  C, changing % total deformation.
9a: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.07132  103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 958  C.
9b: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.07132  103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 939  C.
9c: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.07132  103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 922  C.
9d: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.03713  103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 958  C.
9e: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.03713  103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 939  C.
9f: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.03713  103s-;' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 922  C.
9 g: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.0981 103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 958  C.
9 h: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.0981 103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 922  C.
9i: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.02851 103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 958  C.
9j: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.02851 103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 939  C.
9k: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.02851 103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 922  C.
9l: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.06754  103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 958  C.
9m: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.06754  103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 939  C.
9n: Variation of rolling strain rate of 6.06754  103s-' with the micrograph at a constant deformation of 99%, changing finish rolling temperature to 922  C.
 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146 137
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]

3a 3b

4a 4b

5a 5b
Fig. 1. (Continued)

Perelom et al. [3] in their study of hot rolling of steel, discovered that temperature was the dominant parameter controlling
the kinetics of metallurgical phenomena such as flow stress, strain-rate and recrystallization (both static and dynamic). The
mechanical properties of the final product were determined by a complex sequence of microstructural changes conferred by
thermal variations. According to their findings, temperature also aided the softening mechanism by which rolling stocks
(billet) were prevented from brittle fracture due to work hardening effect of the rolling forces.
Panigrahi [120_TD$IF][19] investigated on the processing of low carbon steel plate and hot strip—an overview and found that the
soaking temperature, drafting schedule, finish rolling and coiling temperatures all played importantroles in processing of
low carbon plate and strip. They controlled the kinetics of various physical and metallurgical processes, viz. austenitization,
recrystallization and precipitation behaviour. The final transformed microstructures depended upon these processes and
their interaction with each other. In view of increasing cost of input materials, new processing techniques such as
recrystallized controlled rolling and warm rolling had been developed for production of plates and thinner hot bands with
very good deep drawability respectively. Besides hybrid computer modelling was used for production of strip products with
tailor made properties. Although there had been few reviews on low carbon microalloyed steels in the past the present one
dealt with new developments.

10ai: Rolled sample 1. 10aii: Rolled sample 3. 10aiii: Rolled sample 2. 10aiv: Rolled sample 5. 10av: Rolled sample 6. 10avi: Rolled sample 4. 10avii: Rolled
sample 7. 10aviii: Rolled sample 8. 10aix: Rolled sample 9. 10ax: Sample 10. 10axi: Sampl 11. 10axii: Sample 12. 10axiii: Rolled sample 13. 10axiv: Rolled
sample 14. 10axv: Rolled sample 14. 10axvi: Rolled sample 17. 10axvii: Rolled Sample 16. 10axviii: Rolled sample 15. 10axix: Rolled sample 18. 10axx: Rolled
sample 19. 10axxi: Rolled sample 20. 10axxii: Rolled sample 21. 10axxiii: Rolled sample 22. 10axxiv: Rolled sample 23. 10axxv: Rolled sample 24.
10axxvi: Rolled sample 25. 10axxvii: Rolled sample 26. 10axxviii: Rolled sample 28. 10axxix: Rolled sample 27. 10axxx: Rolled sample 29. 10axxxi: Rolled
sample 31. 10axxxii: Rolled sample 32. 10axxxiii: Rolled sample 30. 10axxxiv: Rolled sample 33. 10axxxv: Rolled sample 34. 10axxxvi: Rolled sample 35.
10axxxvii: Rolled sample 36. 10axxxviii: Rolled sample 37. 10axxxix: Rolled sample 38. 10axl: Rolled sample 40. 10axli: Rolled sample 41. 10axlii: Rolled
sample 39. 10axliii: Rolled sample 42. 10axliv: Rolled sample 43.
138 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]

6a 6b

7a 7b

2c 1c

3c 8c

8a 8b
Fig. 1. (Continued)
 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146 139
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]

7c 6c

5c 4c
Fig. 1. (Continued)

Choi [14] also established that property sensitive parameters of hot rolled steel bar depended largely on the finishing
temperatures.
Barrett and Wilshire [12] employed the idea in the early 1980s, in the production of ferritic hot rolled interstitial free steel
to eliminate temperature control problems. This was accomplished by reducing the finishing temperature from the
conventional 1030–810 C.
Laasraoui and Jonas [16] further stated that control of temperature during rolling was more important at the finishing
than at the roughing stage.
[12_TD$IF]Usually desired, the best practice was to ensure a much lower working temperature at the last pass. This would drastically
reduce grain growth during cooling.
Granbom [7] investigated on the structure and mechanical properties of dual phase steels and found that microstructure
and consequently mechanical properties of dual phase steels were impacted not only by the chemical composition of the
steel but also by a large number of process parameters such as soaking temperature, cooling rate to quenching, quench and
temper annealing temperature.
Daramola [12_TD$IF]studied the effects of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of rolled medium carbon steel. Their result
showed that the steel developed had excellent combination of tensile strength, impact strength and ductility which was very
attractive for structural use.
Balogun [6] investigated on the influence of finishing temperature on the mechanical properties of conventional hot
rolled steel bar and discovered that detailed temperature tracking of a conventional rolling operation, recorded
improvements in the bars mechanical properties within 840–860  C finishing temperature.
It was for further understanding of the effects of rolling process parameters on the mechanical properties of hot-rolled
St60Mn steel that the present study was devised.
140 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]

Fig. 1. (Continued)

2. Materials and methodology

2.1. Materials

Starting materials were St60Mn steel Billets of initial dimension of 120  120  12,000 mm, which were obtained from the
billet yard box at the Osogbo Steel Rolling Company Limited Nigeria. The compositions are presented in Table 2.[123_TD$IF]

2.2. Methodology

The st60mn steel billets were charged into the furnace and heated to the rolling temperatures in the range 1150  C–
1250  C. They were then rolled into 12 mm, 14 mm, 16 mm and 25 mm diameters of rebars (Table 1[124_TD$IF]).
Fifty four rolling cycles, were selected, set by set, for this study.
Fifty four rolling cycles of steel billets, in three sets of six samples each, were investigated in the final instance thus:first set of
six samples each were inspected at rolling strain rates of 6.02851 103s-', 6.03713  103s-', 6.06754  103s-', 6.07132  103s-',
 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146 141
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]
800 800
700 800
600

Stress(MPa)
600
Stress(MPa)

Stress(MPa)
500 600
400
400
400
300 200
200 200
100 0
0 0 0 0.1 0.2
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0 0.02 0.04 0.06
Strain(mm/mm)
Strain(mm/mm)
Strain (mm/mm)

10ai 10aii 10aiii

800
800 800
600
Stress(MPa)

600

Stress(MPa)
600
Stress(MPa)

400 400 400

200 200 200
0 0
0 0.1 0.2 0
0 0.1 0.2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)
Strain (mm/mm)
10aiv 10av 10avi

800 800
800
600
Stress(MPa)

Stress(MPa)

600 600
Stress(MPa)

400 400 400

200 200 200
0 0 0
0 0.02 0.04 0 0.05 0.1 0 0.05 0.1
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)

10avii 10aviii 10aix

Fig. 1. (Continued)

6.0981 103-', 6.10388  103s-', and constant finish temperature of 922  C, changing deformations to 99%, 98% and 96%. Second
set of six samples each were inspected at the above same strain rates and constant finish temperature of 939  C, changing
deformations as in the above. Final set of six rolled samples each were inspected at the above same rolling strain rates, and
constant finish rolling temperature of 958  C, while changing to % total deformations of 99%, 98% and 96% respectively. At the end
of the rolling, eighteen samples were collected from each set and taken to the laboratory for test and measurement.

2.3. Mechanical test

2.3.1. Tensile tests

In carrying out tensile evaluation properties on the bars, the entire test specimens were prepared according to the British
standard (BS 4449). Relevant clauses of the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS 117-42/50HD 2004) were also complied with.
A universal materials testing machine type upds100s, was used to obtain the test specimens’ % elongation, yield strength,
tensile strength, % reduction in area and young’s modulus of elasticity characteristics in the laboratory.

2.3.2. Impact testing

The Charpy test specimens were prepared by cutting them to the appropriate sizes with lathe machines. The dimensional
analysis of the test specimen were:55 mm length with a v-notch at the center and 10 mm square cross section. The Charpy
142 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]
800 800
700
700 600 600

Stress(MPa)
600

Stress(MPa)
500
Stress(MPa)
500 400 400
400 300 200
300 200
200 100 0
100 0 0 0.1 0.2
0 0 0.05 Strain (mm/mm)
0 0.05
Strain (mm/mm)
Strain (mm/mm)
10ax 10axi 10axii
800 700 700
700 600
600
600 500

Stress(MPa)
Stress(MPa)

500 500

Stress(MPa)
400
400 400 300
300 300 200
200
200 100
100
100 0
0
0 0 0.02 0.04
0 0.1 0.2
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 Strain (mm/mm)
Strain (mm/mm)
Strain (mm/mm)
10axiii 10axiv 10axv

800
700
800
600 600

Stress(MPa)
Stress(MPa)

500 600
Stress(MPa)

400 400
300 400
200 200 200
100
0 0 0
0 0.05 0 0.05 0 0.05
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)

10axvi 10axvii 10axviii

800 800 800

600
Stress(MPa)

Stress(MPa)

600 600
Stress(MPa)

400 400 400

200 200 200
0 0
0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0 0.1 0.2
0 0.02 0.04
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)
Strain (mm/mm)

10axix 10axx 10axxi

Fig. 1. (Continued)

test method was adhered to by holding the specimen horizontally and breaking it, using a Pendulum impact testing machine
PSW 30. The consumed striking energy or impact energy and toughness of the specimen were determined at the end of the
test respectively.

2.3.3. Bendability test

The Alba Automatic Bar Bending machine was used to determine the Bendability of each test sample. Mandrel diameters
for rebend test in accordance with the British Standards 4449, were selected; for nominal diameters less than or equal to
16 mm, maximum mandrel diameter was 4d whereas for nominal diameters greater than 16 mm, maximum mandrel
 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146 143
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]
800 700
800
600
600

Stress(MPa)
500
Stress(MPa)

600

Stress(MPa)
400
400
300 400
200 200
100 200
0 0
0
0 0.1 0.2 0 0.1 0.2
0 0.02 0.04
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)

10axxii 10axxiii 10axxiv

800
800 800
600

Stress(MPa)
Stress(MPa)

600
Stress(MPa)

600
400 400 400

200 200 200

0 0 0
0 0.02 0.04 0 0.05 0 0.02 0.04 0.06
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)
Strain (mm/mm)

10axxv 10axxvi 10axxvii

800 600
800
Stress(MPa)

Stress(MPa)
600
600 400
Stress(MPa)

400
400 200
200
200 0
0
0 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0 0.1 0.2
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)
Strain (mm/mm)

10axxviii 10axxix 10axxx

Fig. 1. (Continued)

diameter was 7d respectively, where ‘d’ is the nominal diameter of the test sample. The angle selector was used to select an
acute angle, since the grade of the test sample was medium carbon steel. At the end of the test, the final angle of the rebend
test for each sample was determined.

2.3.4. Hardness test

The Brinell hardness of each test sample was measured with the Hardness Testing Machine. A Spherical indentation was
made on each test sample using a hardened steel ball indenter by an applied load. Each load was applied for 15 seconds and
removed. The diameter of the indentation was measured and the Brinell hardness was calculated using the values of the
applied load and the diameter of the indentation.

3. [125_TD$IF]Results and discussion

3.1. Data from the effect of rolling process parameters on the mechanical properties of St60Mn steel

The curves of the effect of rolling strain rate on yield strength, tensile strength,% elongation, % reduction in area, young’s
modulus of elasticity, bendability, hardness and toughness at constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C, changing to
different % total deformations of 99%, 98% and 96% respectively, are shown in Fig. 11a–8a. Fig. 11b–8b show the effect of
rolling strain rate on the mechanical properties at constant finish temperature of 939  C, changing deformations. Fig. 11c–8c
144 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146
[(Fig._1)TD$IG]
800
700 600
600 500 600

Stress(MPa)
Stress(MPa)
500
Stress(MPa)

400
400 400
300
300
200
200 200
100 100
0 0 0
0 0.1 0.2 0 0.02 0.04 0 0.02 0.04
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)
10axxxii 10axxxiii
10axxxi

700 700
800 600 600
500
Stress(MPa)
500

Stress(MPa)
Stress(MPa)

600
400 400
400 300 300
200 200 200
100 100
0 0 0
0 0.02 0.04 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0 0.02 0.04 0.06
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)

10axxxiv 10axxxv 10axxxvi

700 700 700

600 600 600
500
Stress(MPa)

500
Stress(MPa)

Stress(MPa)
500
400 400 400
300 300 300
200 200 200
100 100 100
0 0 0
0 0.05 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0 0.1 0.2
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)

10axxxvii 10axxxviii 10axxxix

Fig. 1. (Continued)

show the effect of rolling strain rates on the mechanical properties at constant finish rolling temperature of 958  C, changing
deformation. Table 2 show the effect of rolling strain rate on the mechanical properties of st60Mn steel.

3.1. Influence of process parameters on the mechanical properties of st60mn steel at constant finish rolling temperature of 922  C,
changing to different % total deformations of 99%, 98% and 96%

At 922  C constant finish rolling temperature and % total deformations of 96%, 98% and 99%, St60Mn steel showed
improved tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, bendability and young’s modulus of elasticity. The mechanical
properties increased as the % total deformations increased;with the highest values recorded at 99% total deformation
(Fig. 11a, 8a, 4a, 2a, 7a). The observed trend in the change in strength of the steel can be attributed to effective deformation of
the rolled stock inside the rolls caused by high rate of strain hardening.[126_TD$IF] There is very high dislocation density and fine
dispersion of alloy carbide in the rolled stock. Strain hardening is due to dislocation movement impeded by various obstacles
such as interstitial atoms, precipitated secondary phase, and other dislocations. The stress field around a dislocation
therefore, interacts elastically with the stress field around the obstacle, and slippage in a given crystallographic plane is thus
hindered. This gives rise to improved tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, modulus of elasticity and bendability. The
high values of modulus of elasticity at higher rolling strain rate and % total deformations indicated that the stiffness of the
rolled stocks were very high, and this stiffness decreased as the rolling strain rate and % total deformations decreased;this
was also shown by the values of bendability. Simultaneously, decrease in toughness,% reduction in area and % elongation
(Fig. 13a, 6a and 5a) was due to the presence of internal stress, non-uniform dislocation structures and some quantities of
 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146 145

-phase which resulted in coarser grains and extensive slippage [127_TD$IF]and as the temperature increased, the grains become coarser
and the slippage increased progressively. The observed property trend also supports the theory that the tensile strength,
yield strength, hardness, modulus and bendability, for a given metallurgical structure increase with increasing strain rate or
rate of loading, whearas toughness, % enlongation and % reduction in area decrease with increasing strain rate or rate of
loading [137_TD$IF][17,18].

3.2. Influence of process parameters on the mechanical properties of St60Mn steel at a constant finish rolling temperature of 939  C,
changing deformations to 99%, 98% and 96%

At 939  C constant finish rolling temperature and % total deformations of 96%, 98% and 99%, the same pattern above was
repeated, but at decreased tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, bendability and young’s modulus of elasticity (Fig. 11b,
8b, 4b, 2b and 7b), and increased % enlongation, toughness and % reduction in area (Fig. 15b, 3b and 6b). This also showed
that, the higher the finish rolling temperature, the lower the tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, modulus of elasticity
and bendability,; whereas the higher the toughness, % elongation and % reduction in area, which also supports the theory
that the tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, modulus and bendability, for a given metallurgical structure increase with
increasing strain rate or rate of loading, whearas toughness, % enlongation and % reduction in area decrease with increasing
strain rate or rate of loading [137_TD$IF][17,18]. At 96% total deformation, the minimal values of tensile and yield strength of the control
sample of St60Mn steel are not exceeded (Fig. 11b and 8b).

3.3. Influence of process parameters on the mechanical properties of St60Mn steel at a constant finish rolling temperature of 958  C,
changing deformations to 99%, 98% and 96%

At 958  C constant finish rolling temperature and % total deformations of 96%, 98% and 99%, the same pattern above was
repeated, but at more decreased tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, bendability and young’s modulus of elasticity
(Fig. 11c, 8c, 4c, 2c and 7c), and more increased % enlongation, toughness and % reduction in area (Fig. 15c, 3c and 6c). %
Enlongation, toughness and % reduction in area are highly influenced by increasing finish rolling temperature;whereas the
yield strength, tensile strength, hardness, bendability and young’s modulus of elasticity are influenced by increasing rolling
strain rates and % total deformation (Fig. 11c and 6c).

[(Fig._1)TD$IG]
700
600 800
600
500
500
Stress(MPa)

600
Stress(MPa)

Stress(MPa)

400
400
300 300 400
200 200
100 200
100
0 0 0
0 0.1 0.2 0 0.02 0.04 0 0.02 0.04
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mmm) Strain (mm/mm)

10axl 10axli 10axlii

800 800
600
Stress(MPa)

600
Stress(MPa)

400 400
200 200
0 0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0 0.02 0.04 0.06
Strain (mm/mm) Strain (mm/mm)

10axliii 10axliv
Fig. 1. (Continued)
146 P.U. Nwachukwu, O.O. Oluwole / Case Studies in Construction Materials 6 (2017) 134–146

4. Conclusion

From the results it could be concluded that hot-rolling at finish rolling temperature of 958  C and % total deformation of
99% produced better results especially with increasing rolling strain rates, because higher toughness, % enlongation and %
reduction values are obtained. Also good values of tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, bendability and young’s
modulus of elasticity that exceed the minimal values of the mechanical properties of the control sample of St60Mn steel,
which could not lead to the breaking of the rolls during the actual rolling process, are obtained.
It is therefore recommended that for effective strengthening of St60Mn steel and to avoid breaking of rolls, hot-rolling at
6.02851 103s-' 6.10388  103s-', a % total deformation of 99% and finish rolling temperature of 958  C should be employed
for St60Mn steels.

[129_TD$IF]References

[2] D.O.N. Obikwelu, Metallurgical consideration in the optimization of mechanical properties of rolled products, Seminar Paper Presented at the
Metallurgical and Research Department, Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Warri, Nigeria, 1987.
[3] E.V. Perelom, Strain-induced precipitation behaviour in hot rolled strip steel, Mater. Sci. Eng. A299 (2001) 27–37.
[130_TD$IF][5] K. Saroj, Optimal temperature tracking for accelerated cooling processes in hot rolling of steel, J. Dyn. Control. 7 (4) (2000) 327–340 Nov..
[6] S.A. Balogun, Influence of finishing temperature on the mechanical properties of conventional hot rolled steel bar, J. Eng. Technol. Res. 3 (October (11))
(2011) 307–313.
[7] [13_TD$IF]Ylva Granbom, Structure and mechanical properties of dualphase steels, [132_TD$IF]Int. J. Sci. Res. (2010) i-56.
[12] C.J. Barrett, B. Wilshire, The production of ferritically hot rolled interstial free steel on modem hot strip mill, J. Mater. Process. Technol. 122 (1) (2002)
56–62.
[13_TD$IF][14] Y. Choi, Integrated Model for Thermo-Mechanical Controlled Process in Bar Rolling, Mater. Process. Technol. 125–126 (September) (2002) 678–688.
[134_TD$IF][16] A. Laasraoui, J.J. Jonas, Prediction of temperature distribution flow stress and microstructure during multipass hot rolling of steel plate and strips, ISIJ
Int. 31 (2007) 95–105.
[17] [135_TD$IF]M. Mihalikova, et al., Influence of loading and strain rates on the strength properties and formability of higher strength sheet, Metalurgija 46 (2007)
107–110.
[18] Y. Fakher, et al., Effect of the rolling direction and draft on some of the mechanical properties [138_TD$IF]for medium carbon steel, IJSR (2014) 2425–2431.
[19] Panigrahi, Processing of low carbon steel plate and hot strip-an overview, Bull. Mater. Sci. 24 (4) (2001) 361–371.