Precision Cold Rolling for Titanium Strip

ANDRITZ will supply a precision 20-high reversing cold rolling mill to a major Chinese titanium producer, targeting ultra-thin strip production with controlled flatness, thickness accuracy, and surface quality for advanced industrial applications.

High-Precision Rolling for Titanium and Nickel Alloys
The new 20-high reversing cold rolling mill is designed to process titanium, titanium alloys, and nickel alloys up to a maximum strip width of 650 mm. The configuration supports ultra-thin final gauges, which are typically required in aerospace, chemical processing, energy systems, and high-performance industrial components where material strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance are critical.

A 20-high mill architecture distributes rolling forces through multiple backup and intermediate rolls. This design enables high rolling pressure and precise gauge control while minimizing roll deflection. For materials such as titanium and nickel alloys—characterized by high strength and limited formability this configuration improves thickness tolerance and flatness stability in continuous operation.

Start-up of the mill is scheduled for April 2027.

Four-Column Mill Design for Stability and Service Life
The customer and ANDRITZ selected a four-column (SFC) mill stand design to provide stable rolling conditions under high separating forces. The rigid stand construction reduces elastic deformation during rolling, contributing to consistent strip thickness and surface finish over long campaigns.

The scope of supply includes the complete mechanical and electrical equipment, along with supervision of installation and commissioning. The order is included in ANDRITZ’s intake for the fourth quarter of 2025. The contract value has not been disclosed.

Automated Shape Control and Process Systems
The mill will be equipped with the ANDRITZ shape-tronic system (STS), an automated strip shape control solution. Such systems typically monitor strip profile and flatness in real time and adjust roll bending, intermediate roll shifting, or other actuators to maintain target geometry within defined tolerances. This is particularly relevant for ultra-thin gauges, where minor deviations can lead to downstream processing issues.

In addition, the delivery includes integrated technological systems for cooling, lubrication, and filtration. Controlled cooling and lubrication reduce friction and thermal variation in the roll gap, which directly affects surface quality and thickness consistency. Filtration systems ensure stable operating conditions by maintaining cleanliness of process media, extending component life and improving reliability.

Positioning Within Metals Processing
Within the group, the project is executed by the metals business area of ANDRITZ, which supplies equipment and digital solutions for flat product processing and metal forming applications. In the context of high-performance alloy strip production, precision cold rolling mills serve as a key step in achieving dimensional accuracy and surface requirements that cannot be obtained through hot rolling alone.

By combining a 20-high mill configuration, rigid stand design, and automated shape control, the installation is intended to support stable production of narrow-width, ultra-thin titanium and nickel alloy strip for technically demanding end uses.

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