Simulation study on steel pipe deformation behavior in retained mandrel pipe mill

Continuous rolling technology of seamless steel pipe is the leading technology in the production of steel pipes in recent years. However, due to the complicated pipe rolling process, the rolling parameters must be adjusted according to the rolling conditions after many trials of rolling. This paper focuses on a Φ180mm retained mandrel pipe mill, and the continuous rolling process finite element analysis model of seamless steel pipe is established by using ABAQUS software. The finite element model is validated by the measured wall thickness and pipe diameter data of industrial production, and the model is designed to reveal the evolution of rolling pressure distribution, metal flow, strain, wall thickness and pipe diameter during the continuous rolling process. The simulation results support key structural design of the rolling mill, the determination of rolling process parameters and the optimization of process parameters in engineering commissioning.