PURPOSE: To form hard layers on the surfaces of intermediate rolls and to prevent the generation of roll marks by forming carbide cermet layers having specified hardness and thickness on the surfaces of the intermediate rolls.

CONSTITUTION: Since the carbide cermet layers 2c having a Vickers hardness Hv≥800 and a thickness 0.3-60μm is formed on the surfaces of the intermediate rolls, the surface roughness of the intermediate rolls 2 provided with carbide cermet layers 2 when a strip metal 5 is rolled can be uniformized in the direction of the roll axes. Metallic wear particle oxide and rolling oil can be prevented from being transferred ununiformly through each roll positioned on the side of the strip metal 5 to be rolled to these intermediate rolls 2. Consequently, the roll mark is prevented from being generated on the surface of the strip metal 5 to be rolled.