Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 2-methyl-N-(2?-methylbutyl)butanamide of the following formula (1): the process comprising: subjecting an ?-arylethyl-2-methylbutylamine compound of the following general formula (2): wherein Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, to N-2-methylbutyrylation to form an N-?-arylethyl-2-methyl-N-(2?-methylbutyl)butanamide compound of the following general formula (3): wherein Ar is as defined above, and removing the ?-arylethyl group of the resulting compound (3) to form 2-methyl-N-(2?-methylbutyl)butanamide (1).

Abstract: In a rolling method of rolling a material by front-stage rolling mill, a post-stage rolling mill and guiding rollers interposed therebetween. At first, a gap between the guiding rollers is set to a standard outer size of a standard material to be rolled by front-stage rolling rollers, and a standard embracing force formed by the guiding rollers at the gap is measured when the standard material passes therethrough. Then, a machine is operated, and a post outer size of a rolled material rolled by post-stage rolling rollers is measured. The post outer size of the rolled material is compared with a desired outer size of the rolled material. In case the post outer size of the material is smaller or greater than the desired outer size of the material, an embracing force of the guiding rollers during a rolling is compared with the standard embracing force. Then, the rollers are adjusted so that the post outer size of the material becomes the desired outer size.

Abstract: In a roller guide apparatus for guiding a steel material to be rolled into a rolling mill machine, a ratio (K/M) of an elastic constant (K [N/mm]) of the roller guide portion of a roller guide apparatus to a gradient (M [N/mm]) in a plasticity characteristic curve obtained when pressing the steel material nipped between the guide rollers in rolling is determined to be 0.5 or more, to thereby prevent the steel material from tilting between the guide rollers. As a result, dimensional accuracy in sectional shape and size of an end product can be improved, and miss-rolling can be prevented, thus producing high-quality rolled steel products without surface defects with remarkably high yield rate and productivity.