Abstract: A method of continuously rolling a ferrous workpiece into a finished round, comprising rolling the workpiece in successive first and second roll passes at an elevated temperature of between about 650 to 1000° C., the first and second roll passes each being defined by two work rolls and being dimensioned to effect a combined reduction in the cross sectional area of the workpiece of at least about 20-55%, with an accompanying effective strain pattern dominated by a concentration of maximum effective strain at a central region of the cross sectional area; and while the effective strain pattern remains dominated by a concentration of maximum effective strain at a central region of the cross section, continuing to roll the workpiece in at least third and fourth consecutive roll passes, each of the third and fourth roll passes being defined by at least three rolls and being sized to effect a combined reduction in the cross sectional area of the workpiece of not more than about 4-25 %.

Abstract: A method of continuously rolling a ferrous workpiece into a finished round, comprising rolling the workpiece in successive first and second roll passes at an elevated temperature of between about 650 to 1000° C., the first and second roll passes each being defined by two work rolls and being dimensioned to effect a combined reduction in the cross sectional area of the workpiece of at least about 20-55%, with an accompanying effective strain pattern dominated by a concentration of maximum effective strain at a central region of the cross sectional area; and while the effective strain pattern remains dominated by a concentration of maximum effective strain at a central region of the cross section, continuing to roll the workpiece in at least third and fourth consecutive roll passes, each of the third and fourth roll passes being defined by at least three rolls and being sized to effect a combined reduction in the cross sectional area of the workpiece of not more than about 4-25%.

Abstract: A laying head forms hot rolled steel rod into a continuous series of rings. The rings are received on a conveyor for transport in an overlapping pattern through at least one cooling zone. The ring density of the overlapping pattern is greater along edge regions of the conveyor as compared to the ring density at a central region of the conveyor. A gaseous coolant is directed upwardly through the overlapping ring pattern, and a screen or other like foraminous element retards the upward flow of gaseous coolant at the central region of the conveyor.