Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering , Vol. 10, No.15, pp.1473-1485, 2011 jmmce.org Printed in the USA. All rights reserved 1473 Simulation of Torque during Rod Rolling of HC SS316 at Low Strain Rate Using “Phantom-Roll” Method P. O. Aiyedun 1 *, O. S. Igbudu 2 , B.O. Bolaji 1 1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: laiyedun_494@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Rolling torque for a seventeen passes, 125 x 125 mm HC SS316 billets rolled to a 16 mm diameter rod have been simulated. Torque calculations based on pressure exerted by the metal on the rolls and the area of contact during longitudinal rolling were obtained using the temperature values derived using the “Phantom Roll” method. Investigations were carried out for four different starting mean rolling temperatures between 988 0 C and 1191 0 C and at four different strain rates of 0.4s -1 , 0.8s -1 , 1.2 s -1 and 1.6s -1 . Results obtained showed that for all cases, rolling in grooved rolls required higher torque compared to rolling in flat rolls. In general, it was observed that torque value increased as starting temperature decreases and for each set of starting temperatures, the torque value increases with temperature. In all cases, the torque values for grooved rolls were higher than those for flat rolls. This was due to the higher frictional effect, occasioned by the larger contact area between roll and stock. Results obtained also revealed an inverse relationship between strain rate and torque. Keywords: simulation, rod rolling, grooved, phantom roll method, torque. 1. INTRODUCTION Rolling is a direct compressive type of deformation in which applied compressive stress induces two compressive stresses, which are on mutually perpendicular planes. It is one of the most important metal working processes [1]. Forging and extrusion also fall under this type of deformation process. Rolling is used to reduce the thickness of the work-piece [2]. It could be carried out either cold or hot. Cold rolling is carried out at temperature below the recrystallization temperature of the metal, while hot rolling is carried out at temperature above the recrystallization temperature.