CRM developed a new cost effective procedure to have a moreaccurate assessment of roll performance related to oxide formation,friction level and wear for hot rolling. The procedure consists ofinserting different work roll materials in pilot work rolls to performspecific continuous pilot hot rolling campaigns with a detailed analysis.This gives a direct comparison between the different materialstested in a real rolling environment. Furthermore it reduces the technicalrisk related to the introduction of new work roll grades andspeeds up the roll development.