The demands made on hot-rolled materials have become considerably more stringent over the last few years.On the one hand,models are needed that can provide quantitative statements on the microstructure and thus enable the mechanical properties to be ascertained.These include the determination of the transformation temperatures,the derivation of enthalpies from the Gibbs free-energy functions,a diffusion-controlled description of transformation kinetics and the determination of microstructural components and of the temperature distribution in the cooling section.On the other hand,for the mechanical equipment of the cooling section,the above properties indicate a heightened demand for water,which needs to be made available in accordance with the required cooling rate.Consideration needs to be given here to short valve-switching times in order to attain exact target temperatures.Furthermore,the hot strip flatness is of great importance where there are large quantities of water.The correct ratio of water quantities is decisive for maintaining the flatness.Besides the selection of the water quantity ratio,the cooling rate is an important part of the cooling strategy for the purpose of setting the properties in a well- targeted manner.This paper will present improved mechanical equipment,the description of material behavior in the form of a model and the necessary cooling strategies,with a view to enabling the production of materials which can satisfy future requirements.