Texture and microstructure variation in asymmetrically rolled steel

• Asymmetrical rolling process was shown as an alternative method to obtain fine grained material.
• Asymmetrical rolling process did not cause significant changes in the anisotropy factors.
• Asymmetry lead to texture homogenization within the whole sample thickness.
• The Image Quality confirm the significant influence of asymmetry on microstructure fragmentation.

In the present paper the mechanical and microstructural properties, as well as crystallographic textures of asymmetrically rolled low carbon steel were studied. Asymmetric rolling was applied by imposing different velocity ratios between the top and bottom rolls. The main advantages of asymmetric rolling are: a possibility of texture and plastic anisotropy improvement, the production of a more homogeneous microstructure, an increasing durability of the rolls by a reduction of the applied forces and torques. The asymmetrical rolling process was also examined as an alternative method to obtain fine grained steel. Grain size, misorientation and image quality factor distributions were characterised and analysed in some detail. Also a self-consistent viscoplastic model was used to predict the evolution of crystallographic texture and of the plastic anisotropy.