Dofasco began adding oil to its water spray on its backup rolls late last year. Adding oil to the backup rolls saves oil consumption while increasing lubrication. We found that adding oil halves the wear on rolls. Dofasco sprays water directly onto the work rolls of its hot-strip mill. Spray heads spray the bottom work roll from the exit and entry side of the mill and the top work roll from the exit side.
Heads also spray the strip between rolling stands.
Steel Dynamics sprays water directly on its work rolls just above the roll bite. Managers plan to start using oil lubricants by the end of this year. Nucor Crawfordsville uses a synthetic lubricant on the rolls of both its Klockner reversing mill and cold-mill temper mill. Synthetics cost more, but you get that back because they lubricate better. You get increased roll life and a cleaner strip off the mill.