Generally three different kinds of rolling processes are used. The old standard process is hot rolling at high final temperatures followed by heat treatment. More modern processes are normalising and thermomechanical rolling. All rolling processes require a uniformly heated slab when leaving the furnace.

Thermomechanical rolling is used to achieve the optimum in grain refinement. For obtaining the fine-grain structure a number of measures are required. The slab reheating temperature must be kept at the lowest possible level in order to limit the grain growth. Roughing is carried out at in the range of the recrystallisation temperature.

The standard thermomechanical rolling process operates by keeping the final deformation at low temperatures around 650 to 750 degrees Celsius. This method provides high strength but is not the most favourable for the toughness of the material.

A more advantageous method of TM rolling is frequently applied at voestalpine Grobblech. The final rolling temperature is kept in the non recrystallising area.
A subsequent accelerated cooling leads to an extremely fine bainitic transformation structure. This process provides an ideal combination of properties, namely high strength and highest toughness. The chemical composition, microalloying elements and a low carbon content result in a favourable carbon equivalent with excellent weldability.

The thermomechanical rolling process is unique because the combination of highest strength and good toughness with a low carbon content cannot be achieved with any heat treatment. The main fields of application for TM rolling are line pipe steels from X65 up to X100, high strength cold forming grades, steels for off-shore and sour service applications.