Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing forming operations on steels, metals, and alloys having low deformability and/or high resistance to deformation at room temperature, wherein the thickness of the stock material is small. In the method, stock material is heated by continuous rapid heating, to a temperature of at least 400.degree. C. and at most the AC-1 temperature of the alloy, and the heated material is subjected to a two-stage or multistage forming operation wherein the overall reduction in cross section is substantial. The apparatus includes a heating device of the electrical induction or direct contact type, followed by a temperature equalization and guide device and a multi-stand roll forming mill which may have cooling devices between each stand.

Abstract: A process for rolling wire or rod material, such as hardenable steel, high speed steel and copper phosphorous alloys, includes feeding the material continuously from a supply roll through a heating zone and a rolling device for rolling the material in at least two stages, wherein the material at room temperature has a low deformation capacity unsuitable for rolling in the rolling device and therefore is heated in the heating zone to a temperature of improved deformation capacity suitable for rolling, the temperature of the material is continuously measured between the heating zone and the rolling device, a determination is made as to whether the material has been heated to a predetermined deformation temperature appropriate for rolling, diverting any portion of the material determined to have a temperature other than the appropriate rolling temperature away from the rolling device to prevent the diverted portion from entering the rolling device and being rolled, severing the diverted portion between the heati