The cracking behaviour of the oxide layer formed during hot rolling was studied together
with different combinations of process parameters in order to find their single influence
on the surface quality and formation of oxide defects. Several trials were performed on
the CRM pilot line to study in detail the impact of strip reduction, strip temperature,
entry scale thickness, roll degradation, lubrication, skin cooling, chemical composition
and humidity on the scale behaviour. In general, the degree of deformation, entry scale
thickness and rolling temperatures are the most important parameters and the importance
decreases in that order.