Abstract: A self-compensating roll for rolling various width strip-like material wherein the roll is subject to non-uniform rolling load distribution between its opposite ends during rolling. The roll comprises a cylindrical roll body and outer material contacting surface. Outwardly extending displaceable members are formed beneath the contacting surface in the roll body at the opposed ends of the roll which permit the outer contacting surface areas to be displaced in a direction away from the direction the axial portion of the roll body deflects under a given load.

Abstract: A tandem rolling mill having a plurality of stands with each stand having a pair of work rolls and a pair of backup rolls. A downstream roll stand has work rolls of reduced diameter and backup rolls of increased diameter with respect to an upstream stand preferably at least a major number of downstream stands have reduced diameter work rolls and enlarged diameter work rolls with respect to an upstream stand. The center-to-center spacing between work rolls and backup rolls decreases in a downstream direction and the length of the rolls increases from stand-to-stand in a downstream direction.