Asymmetrical Rolling of Aluminum Alloys and Steels: A Review

Asymmetric rolling is an attractive metal forming process due to its simplicity, low cost and capability to produce unique characteristics in materials. The asymmetry promoted by the process leads to a formation of a large collection of texture components and a refined structure which is capable to improve the mechanical behavior of metallic materials. The aim of this work is to present a perspective of the process and to construct the bases for future development and application of this technique. Thus, several aspects are addressed such as process methods (i.e., dissimilarity of the rolls diameters, rolls angular speed or friction conditions), the process parameters (i.e., total thickness reduction, thickness reduction per pass, peripheral speed ratio, rolling routes) and their effect on material properties, including texture and microstructure evolution, and mechanical properties. This review is focused on the experimental description of asymmetric rolling applied to aluminum alloys and steels. Although the asymmetric rolling application was mostly at a laboratory scale, there is a good perspective for its implementation in the industry. The pros and cons based on the up to date literature and authors’ experience are presented and discussed.