Forged Steel Back Up Rolls for Hot & Cold Rolling Mills | China ISO 9001:2015 Certified Manufacturer
Forged steel back up rolls overview
These forged steel back up rolls are made for hot strip mills, cold rolling mills, Steckel mills and heavy plate mills where roll rigidity, fatigue resistance, wear stability and certification compliance directly affect uptime and finished strip quality.
Main information at a glance
- The manufacturer supplies forged steel back up rolls for important rolling mill types and global regional markets.
- The page summarizes the main roll failure modes, the matching process solutions, available material grades, and application-specific recommendations.
- The content includes manufacturing capability, inspection scope, certificate support, delivery guidance, and project-use scenarios.
- Buyers can use this page to evaluate fit for hot strip mills, cold rolling mills, plate mills, and stainless or specialty alloy rolling lines.
Table of contents
- Product Overview & Global Industry Application
- Common Failure Modes of Rolling Mill Back Up Rolls & Our Targeted Solutions
- Available Material Grades for Forged Steel Back Up Rolls
- Professional Material Selection Guide for Different Rolling Mills
- Advanced Manufacturing Process of Forged Back Up Rolls
- Global Project Cases & GEO Targeted Applications
- Complete Quality Inspection & International Certification
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Related Forged Steel Products
- Contact Us for Custom Forged Roll Quotation
What rolling mill buyers usually compare before ordering back up rolls
Product Overview & Global Industry Application
ISO 9001:2015 Certified 25+ Years Forging Experience 120,000 Tons Annual Capacity Exported to 50+ Countries
As a top professional manufacturer of open die forgings and seamless rolled rings from China, Jiangsu Liangyi Co., Limited specializes in producing high-performance forged steel back up rolls for all types of rolling mills, including continuous hot strip mills, cold rolling mills, Steckel mills, heavy plate mills, and specialty alloy rolling mills. Our forged back up rolls are used in metal processing and steel production projects across Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, and we provide the parts with reliable quality and competitive pricing to clients around the world.
Back up rolls are the most important spare parts in rolling mill systems. They support the work rolls to reduce deflection as much as possible, make sure the roll gap is consistent and directly affect the surface smooth, dimensional accuracy, flatness, and overall quality of finished steel sheets, strips, and coils. Our forged steel back up rolls have consistent hardness, great wear resistance, excellent anti-thermal crack performance, and outstanding fatigue life, which help clients cut the downtime and maintenance costs.
Main Performance Advantages of Our Forged Back Up Rolls
- Zero macroscopic segregation and minimal microscopic segregation in the material matrix, making sure the whole roll body has consistent performance.
- Ultra-low content of fine non-metallic inclusions with consistent dispersed distribution, deleting the risk of surface spalling and internal defects
- Compact and homogeneous fine-grain metallographic distribution after multi-directional open die forging with a minimum 6:1 forging ratio
- Perfect matching of high toughness and high strength, working well in extreme rolling conditions of both hot and cold rolling processes
- Significantly improved anti-fatigue and thermal shock resistance, extending service life by 30-50% compared to standard cast rolls
Common Failure Modes of Rolling Mill Back Up Rolls & Our Targeted Solutions
We have thoroughly studied the main challenges faced by rolling mill users around the world. Our forging process and heat treatment technology are fully improved to solve the most common problems that cause rolling mills back up rolls to fail.
1. Thermal Cracking & Fire Cracking
Failure Cause
The failure is common in hot rolling mill back up rolls. It is caused by cyclic temperature changes (rapid heating and cooling) during the rolling process, which leads to micro-cracks on the roll surface that spread over time.
Our Targeted Solution
We use dual frequency quenching + cryogenic treatment + multi-cycle tempering process, which greatly improves the thermal shock resistance of the roll surface, effectively inhibits the initiation and propagation of thermal cracks, and reduces the frequency of roll grinding by 40-60%.
2. Excessive Wear & Surface Deterioration
Failure Cause
It is common in high-speed cold rolling mill back up rolls, which leads to lower sheet accuracy, more frequent roll change , and increased production costs.
Our Targeted Solution
Use ESR electroslag remelting purification technology to delete inclusions to less than 0.5%, combined with precise hardness control (uniform hardness deviation ≤ ±1.5HRC), significantly improves the wear resistance of the roll body and maintains long-term stable surface accuracy for 2-3 times longer than standard products.
3. Roll Body Fatigue Fracture
Failure Cause
It is caused by cyclic rolling load, leading to unplanned shutdown and huge economic losses for rolling mill operators.
Our Targeted Solution
Use 6000 tons hydraulic press for multi-directional precision open die forging with a minimum 6:1 forging ratio, to get 100% internal structure compaction, and conduct 100% full body ultrasonic testing (UT) to delete internal defects, greatly improving the fatigue resistance of the roll and ensuring a service life of more than 2 years under normal operating conditions.
4. Surface Spalling & Peeling
Failure Cause
It is caused by uneven structure, non-metallic inclusions or improper heat treatment, which leads to surface defects on finished steel products.
Our Targeted Solution
Implement strict LF/VD vacuum refining process to control the content of harmful elements (S ≤ 0.005%, P ≤ 0.015%), get dispersed distribution of inclusions, and fine-grain distribution control (ASTM grain size ≥ 7), completely avoiding surface spalling during high-load rolling.
Key specification snapshot for buyers and engineers
| Product scope | Forged steel back up rolls for hot strip mills, cold rolling mills, Steckel mills, heavy plate mills, and specialty alloy rolling mills. |
|---|---|
| Maximum size | Up to 2000 mm diameter, 15 meters length, and 30 tons single-piece weight. |
| Key material options | DIN 86CrMoV7, MC3, MC5, 42CrMo4 / AISI 4140, 100Cr6 / AISI 52100, 440C / 1.4125, and other custom grades. |
| Core process controls | LF/VD refining, ESR for selected grades, open die forging with minimum 6:1 ratio, dual-frequency quenching, cryogenic treatment, and multi-cycle tempering. |
| Inspection coverage | Chemical analysis, mechanical testing, 100% UT, MPI, hardness mapping, metallography, dimensional inspection, and additional testing by grade/application. |
| Typical certificates | ISO 9001:2015 (held). EN10204 3.1 MTC standard; 3.2 via third-party inspection. PED, API, ABS, DNV documentation support available on request. |
| Typical lead time | 35–45 days for standard specifications; 45–60 days for large sizes or special grades. |
Fast grade-selection reference by rolling scenario
| Rolling scenario | Main operating concern | Common shortlist grades | Why buyers choose them |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous hot strip mills | Thermal cycling, surface cracking, toughness retention | 1.2327 / DIN 86CrMoV7, 21CrMoV5-11 | Good thermal shock resistance and better crack-control potential under high-temperature service. |
| Cold rolling mills for automotive steel | Wear resistance, flatness stability, hardness consistency | MC3, MC5, 1.2379 / SKD11 | Commonly selected where high surface precision and long campaign stability matter most. |
| Heavy plate mills | Large section size, load bearing, internal soundness | 42CrMo4 / AISI 4140, AISI 4130 | Useful for large forged sections requiring strength, toughness, and dependable internal integrity. |
| Steckel or stainless rolling lines | Corrosion tendency, variable temperature, wear | 440C / 1.4125, 100Cr6 / AISI 52100 | Often shortlisted for stainless or corrosion-sensitive applications with higher wear expectations. |
Available Material Grades for Forged Steel Back Up Rolls
We produce forged steel back up rolls in a full range of international standard material grades, and they all meet DIN, EN, ASTM, AISI, JIS and other global standards for different regional markets. Custom material grades are also available according to clients technical requirements and rolling mill working conditions:
- 1.2327, DIN 86CrMoV7 - European standard hot rolling mill dedicated material
- 440C, X105CrMo17, 1.4125 - Stainless steel for corrosion-resistant rolling conditions
- MC3, MC5 - High-performance cold rolling mill dedicated material
- 80CrV2, 1.2235, 80CrV3 - Universal medium-duty rolling mill material
- 1.8070 21CrMoV5-11 - High temperature resistant for hot strip mills
- AISI 4140, 42CrMo4 (1.7225) - Universal heavy plate mill material
- AISI 4130, 35CrMo4 - Light-duty to medium-duty rolling mill material
- AISI 52100 - 100Cr6 - High carbon chromium bearing steel for high precision rolls
- 1.2379, SKD11, X155CrVMo121 - High wear resistant cold work tool steel
For more special alloy material options, including nickel alloys, duplex stainless steels, and super alloys, please visit our Materials Page.
Professional Material Selection Guide for Different Rolling Mills
Based on more than 25 years of project experience , we provide professional material matching solutions for different types of rolling mill and working conditions, making sure all parts have the best performance, longest lifetime and greatest cost-effectiveness for your rolling mill:
| Rolling Mill Type | Recommended Material Grades | Core Performance Advantages | Target Regional Markets | Compliant Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Hot Strip Mills | 1.2327, DIN 86CrMoV7, 21CrMoV5-11 | Excellent thermal shock resistance, anti-cracking performance, high toughness | Southeast Asia, Middle East, South America | DIN, EN, ASTM, JIS |
| Cold Rolling Mills (Automotive Steel) | MC3, MC5, 1.2379 (SKD11) | Ultra-high wear resistance, consistent hardness, high precision retention | Europe, North America, Japan, South Korea | EN, ASTM, AISI, JIS; PED documentation support available |
| Heavy Plate Mills (Shipbuilding/Offshore) | AISI 4140 (42CrMo4), AISI 4130 | High strength, high toughness, ultra-large size forging capability | Middle East, Australia, Europe, North America | ASTM, AISI, EN; API/ABS/DNV documentation support available |
| Steckel Mills (Stainless Steel) | 440C (X105CrMo17), 100Cr6 (AISI 52100) | Corrosion resistance, stable performance under different temperature | North America, Europe, Southeast Asia | ASTM, AISI, EN, JIS |
| Specialty Alloy Rolling Mills | Inconel 625, Incoloy 825, Hastelloy C276 | High temperature corrosion resistance, high strength at elevated temperatures | Global (Aerospace, Petrochemical) | ASTM, AMS; API/PED documentation support available |
Advanced Manufacturing Process of Forged Back Up Rolls
To produce forged steel back up rolls with consistent high quality and full dimensional coverage (max single-piece weight up to 30 tons, max diameter up to 2000mm, max length up to 15 meters), we are equipped with advanced smelting, forging, heat treatment, and machining facilities, including 30t EAF, 30t LF/VD, 2t IM, 6000 tons hydraulic forging press, 5t/3t/1t/0.75t electro-hydraulic forging hammers, 1m/5m seamless rolling machines, and ten heat treatment furnaces. We follow a strict full-process manufacturing flow to make sure every part meets international standards and clients specific requirements:
- Electric arc furnace (EAF) smelting - Melting high-quality raw materials
- LF / VD vacuum refining - Removing harmful elements (S, P) and gases (H, O, N)
- Ingot casting - Casting high-quality steel ingots
- Homogenizing annealing & surface cleaning - Eliminating internal stress and surface defects
- Electroslag remelting (ESR) - Purifying the material for high-performance grades
- Secondary stress relief annealing - Further eliminating internal stress
- Multi-directional precision open die forging - Achieving 100% internal structure compaction with a minimum 6:1 forging ratio
- Post forging heat treatment - Refining grain structure
- Rough machining - Machining to rough dimensions
- Preliminary heat treatment - Preparing the material for final heat treatment
- Semi finishing - Machining to semi-finished dimensions
- Dual frequency quenching or differential temperature treatment - Achieving uniform through-hardness
- Cryogenic treatment - Stabilizing dimensional accuracy and improving wear resistance
- Multi-cycle tempering - Eliminating internal stress and adjusting hardness
- Finish machining - Machining to final dimensions according to customer drawings
- Full inspection & professional packaging - Ensuring quality and safe global delivery
To learn more about our advanced production and testing facilities, please visit our Equipment Page.
Global Project Cases & GEO Targeted Applications
Our forged steel back up rolls are used in metal rolling projects across more than 50 countries.Following are actual application cases:
1. Continuous Hot Strip Mill Projects in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia)
Client Pain Point: Frequent thermal cracking and monthly roll changes (original 2 times per month), leading to high downtime and maintenance costs.
Our Solution: We supplied custom 1.2327 / DIN 86CrMoV7 forged back up rolls with dual frequency quenching and cryogenic treatment.
Quantitative Results: The roll change cycle was lengthened to 60 days, production efficiency was increased by 28%, lifetime rose by 45% compared to the original products, and maintenance costs fell by 35%.
Application Details: Our rolls support stable production of high-quality carbon steel and alloy steel coils with thickness from 1.2mm to 12mm, width from 800mm to 1780mm.
2. Cold Rolling Mill Lines for Automotive Steel in Europe (Germany, Italy, France)
Client Pain Point: The requirement for ultra-precise sheet flatness and a perfect surface finish for high-strength automotive steel are too strict
Our Solution: We provided MC3/MC5 grade forged back up rolls that fully meet EN standard and PED requirements. and they are made via dual frequency quenching and cryogenic treatment.
Quantitative Results: Hardness deviation controlled within ±1.5HRC, sheet flatness improved by 40%, surface defect rate reduced by 90%, and passed full EN10204 3.2 certification inspection.
Application Details: We deliver more than 200 rolls of steel to 8 European automotive rolling companies every year.
3. Heavy Plate Mill Projects for Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering in Middle East & Australia
Client Pain Point: Need for ultra-large size forged back up rolls (max weight up to 30 tons, max diameter up to 2000mm) for 5m heavy plate mills, and need for API, ABS, DNV documentation support.
Our Solution: We provided large-size AISI 4140/42CrMo4 forged back up rolls with 6000 tons hydraulic press forging and full UT/MPI non-destructive testing.
Quantitative Results: All rolls passed 100% UT/MPI non-destructive testing according to ASTM standard, with full mechanical property verification, and the qualified rate of delivery is 100%.
Application Details: Our rolls support the rolling of high-thickness steel plates (thickness from 10mm to 300mm, width from 1500mm to 5000mm) for ship hulls, offshore platforms, and pressure vessels.
4. Steckel Mill Production Lines for Stainless Steel in North America (USA, Canada)
Client Pain Point: Need for corrosion-resistant forged back up rolls for rolling stainless steel, duplex steel, and nickel alloy sheets for petrochemical and food processing industries.
Our Solution: We make forged back-up rolls out of 440C/X105CrMo17 (1.4125) stainless steel and use ESR electroslag remelting and heat treatment on them.
Quantitative Results: Corrosion resistance improved by 60%, wear resistance improved by 35%, and stable performance under variable temperature rolling conditions.
Application Details: We provide custom forging services according to customer drawings, with a delivery time of 35-45 days based on standard specifications, and 45-60 days for large-size or special material grades.
Complete Quality Inspection & International Certification
We use advanced testing equipment and a strict quality control system throughout the whole process, from raw material melting to final product delivery. This make sure every forged steel backup roll meets your quality needs and EN10204 3.1 / 3.2 Mill Test Certificate (MTC) standard.
Advanced Professional Inspection Equipment
- Two sets of Emission Spectrometer ARL - 3460 for chemical composition analysis
- Carbon & Sulphur Analyzer CS-80
- Hydrogen & Oxygen Analyzers
- Thermal Analyzer
- Portable and laboratory Hardness Testers
- Multiple sets of Ultrasonic Testing (UT) Equipments
- Material Testing Machine WAW-600 for tensile and bending tests
- Charpy Impact Test Machine JSB-300
- Metallography Microscope
- High Temperature Tensile Testing Machine
- Friction-abrasion Testing Machine
- 3D Dimensional Check Equipment
Full Inspection Items for Each Forged Back Up Roll
- Chemical composition spectral analysis
- Full mechanical property testing (tensile, bending, impact)
- 100% UT testing according to EN/ASTM/JIS international norms
- MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspection) testing
- Multi-point hardness measurement (full roll body coverage, ≥ 20 points)
- Metallographic microscope structure investigation (ASTM grain size ≥ 7)
- Huey test & intergranular corrosion test for stainless steel grades
- X-Ray inspection for internal defects
- 3D dimensional check according to customer drawings
- Dye penetrant test (DPT) for surface defects
- Positive Alloy Material Identification (PAMI)
International Certifications & Compliance
ISO 9001:2015 EN10204 3.1/3.2 PED Support Available API Standard Support ABS Documentation Support DNV Documentation Support
- ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification - Full process quality control
- EN10204 3.1 / 3.2 Mill Test Certificate (MTC) - Available for all products
- PED Support Available - For European Union market
- API Standard Support - For oil & gas related rolling applications
- ABS / DNV Documentation Support - Available via third-party inspection for shipbuilding and offshore engineering applications
- Full compliance with DIN, EN, ASTM, AISI, JIS international standards
Delivery, documentation, and quotation support summary
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | High Search Volume SEO Optimized
Work rolls are the rolls that directly contact the steel strip or slab during the rolling process, responsible for reducing the thickness of the material and making it into the desired shape. Back up rolls are larger and heavier, supporting the work rolls from both top and bottom.They reduce bending, keep a consistent roll gap across the full width of the material, and prevent work rolls from deforming, which makes sure the finished steel products have flatness and dimensional accuracy . Back up rolls need higher rigidity, toughness, and fatigue life, while work rolls focus more on surface hardness and wear resistance.
We can produce forged steel back up rolls with:
- Max diameter up to 2000mm
- Max length up to 15 meters
- Max single-piece weight up to 30 tons
This fully covers the needs of most hot & cold rolling mills, heavy plate mills, and Steckel mills. Custom sizes according to clients drawings are also available.
Our forged steel back up rolls fully meet a wide range of international standards, including:
- DIN / EN - For European Union market
- ASTM / AISI - For North American market
- JIS - For Japanese and South Korean market
- API - For oil & gas related rolling applications
- ABS / DNV - For shipbuilding and offshore engineering applications
We provide EN10204 3.1 / 3.2 Mill Test Certificate (MTC) for all products, and can support PED documentation requirements for the European Union market upon request. Custom standards according to clients requirements are also available.
The delivery time depends on the material grade, size and order quantity .
- For standard material grades and specifications: lead time is 35-45 days
- For large-size, special material grades and custom drawings: lead time is 45-60 days
We can also offer urgent production services for emergency projects.Delivery time can be shortened by 20-30% based on order details. Please contact us for more information.
Following are five main ways to extend the service life of rolling mill back up rolls:
- Choose the right material grade of material based on how your rolling mill works (hot rolling vs. cold rolling, type of material, speed of rolling, etc.).
- Strictly control the parameters of rolling process to avoid overload, overheating, and uneven rolling
- Regularly grinding and maintaining the rolls to get rid of micro-cracks and other surface flaws in a timely manner
- Proper storage and handling to keep things from getting broken while they are being moved or stored
- Use high-quality forged back up rolls that are evenly distributed, have a high purity level, and have been professionally heat treated. These can last 30 to 50 percent longer than standard cast rolls.
Yes, we provide EN10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate (MTC) as standard for all our forged steel back up rolls. If you need an EN 10204 3.2 certificate with third-party inspection (such as TÜV, SGS, BV, etc.), we can also arrange this for you at an extra cost.
Yes, we make custom forged steel back up rolls according to clients drawings We have more than 25 years of experience with forging and rolling mill applications. We can give you professional advice and technical support to make sure that all parts have high quality.Please send us your custom drawing, material requirement, and order quantity for a detailed and free quotation.
We accept different payment terms for our forged steel back up rolls, including:
- T/T (Telegraphic Transfer) - 30% deposit, 70% balance against copy of B/L
- L/C (Letter of Credit) - Irrevocable L/C at sight
Other payment terms may be available upon negotiation, depending on the order details and your credit history. Please contact us for more information.
Related Forged Steel Products
As a leading open die forging and seamless rolled rings manufacturer in China, we also provide a full range of forged steel products for rolling mills, metallurgical equipment, heavy machinery, aerospace, oil & gas, power generation, marine, mining, and other industries. Explore more high-quality forged products on our Products Page:
What to send for a faster forged roll quotation
To get a fast quotation,please send us the following information:
- Rolling mill type and rolling product description.
- Required roll dimensions, drawing, tolerances, and target hardness range.
- Material preference or applicable standard such as DIN, EN, ASTM, AISI, or JIS.
- Inspection and certification requirements such as EN10204 3.1/3.2, PED, API, ABS, or DNV.
- Expected annual consumption, order quantity, and target delivery schedule.
- Operating pain points such as thermal cracking, wear, spalling, or fatigue failure.
Contact Us for Custom Forged Roll Quotation
We are glad to provide the most competitive price and high quality forged steel back up rolls for global clients. Welcome to send your custom drawing, material requirement, and order quantity for a detailed and free quotation! Our professional technical team will reply to you within 24 hours.
Inquiry Email: sales@jnmtforgedparts.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +86-13585067993
Website: https://www.jnmtforgedparts.com
Address: Chengchang Industry Park, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China