Calculations of strain rates for aluminum alloy slab blank rolling were made by the finite element method in three-dimensional formulation. It is shown that the strain rates are unevenly distributed across the thickness of rolled products and relatively evenly across the width. Additionally, rolling mill speed mode was estimated and possible uneven distribution of the strain rates along the length of the rolled products is shown. It was concluded that the uneven strain rate distribution can be the cause of non simultaneous recrystallization. This is one of the causes of uneven distribution of properties through the thickness of the rolled products