Abstract: Edge crack is a kind of defects in the cold rolling process of silicon steel, causes rupture of the steel in the rolling mill and need to be removd. Hence, it is necessary to understand the formation of edge cracks The damage distribution, as well as the initiation and propagation of edge cracks around the tips of the precut notches during cold rolling process are investigated by using GTN damage model. The damage parameters f0, fc and fF are determined by tensile tests and scanning electron microscope(SEM) observation. The influence of various rolling parameters on damage distribution and crack length is studied by numerical simulation. The numerical results show that the GTN damage model is available to prediction the initiation and propagation of edge cracks during rolling process. Parametric study carry out in present work reveals that it is more possible to occur edge cracks at larger reduction, higher friction coefficient, smaller roll radius and stronger unit tension. The simulation and experimental results have a good agreement.

Key words: Cold rolling, Crack initiation, Silicon steel, Simulation, Void fraction