To provide a thrust bearing mechanism which can withstand thrust force in the axial direction of a roll which is increased in proportion to rolling force which is generated with shape control and increased, when rolling a new material such as super metal which requires heavy strain rolling at a low temperature with a rolling mill the upper and lower roll diameters of which are kept same as conventional methods.

Journal boxes mounting two thrust bearings which are effective in only one direction and have a different angle α formed by the axial center of a tapered roller and the axial center of the roll in a pair to a pair of upper and lower rolls are provided at right side and left side across the rolls . The thrust force which is produced between the rolled metal plate and the upper and lower rolls with the shape control is once received with housings on both sides of a rolling mill via a thrust bearing on the side where the angle α is larger and canceled with a tie bar with which both the housings are connected.