Modelling of the mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel coils processed on the Ugine&ALZ integrated cold rolling line LC2i

As a part of the Arcelor project concerning the prediction of the capability (“ Évaluation Prévisionnelle des Capabilités ” project), models are developed to predict the mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel coils processed on the Ugine&ALZ integrated cold rolling line LC2i. Two approaches are used: statistical models resulting from an analysis of industrial databases, and physical based modelling accounting for the recrystallization mechanism during the final annealing to estimate the mechanical behaviour of the final product, including twinning and martensite induced transformation mechanisms. The work leads to the prediction of the yield stress and the tensile strength along the cold-rolled and annealed coil; the calculated mechanical values are in good agreement with the measurement on samples taken from coils of AISI 304 grade (UGINOX 18-9 E).