Alloy and method for making continuously cast aluminum alloy can stock
AssigneeReynolds Metals Company
InventorRajeev G. Kamat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for making aluminum alloy can stock from continuously cast aluminum alloy slabs includes the steps of continuous casting, hot rolling, hot line annealing, cold rolling, intermediate annealing and cold rolling to final gauge. After the material is cold rolled to final gauge, it is subjected to a heat treatment step which improves its formability. The method is suited for improved AA3000 series type alloys. Besides improved formability, the inventive method also provides increased alpha phase content and low earing percentage for improvements in can manufacture. An improved aluminum alloy product also is disclosed.
Claims23
A method of making improved can stock from continuously cast aluminum alloy slab comprising the steps of:
- providing a can stock alloy to be cast;
- continuously casting said alloy into slab form;
- hot rolling said slab form to form a hot band;
- hot line annealing said hot band;
- cold rolling said hot band to produce an intermediate gauge product;
- annealing said intermediate gauge product;
- cold rolling said annealed intermediate gauge product to a final gauge strip product;
- and
- heat treating said final gauge strip product at a temperature not greater than 350.degree. F.;
- and
- cooling said heat treated strip product to form said improved can stock, said improved can stock having increased formability as a result of the heat treating increasing a difference between yield strength and ultimate tensile strength.
A method of making can stock from continuously cast aluminum alloy slab with increased alpha phase content comprising the steps of:
- providing an aluminum alloy having copper, manganese, and magnesium as major alloying elements;
- continuously casting said alloy into slab form;
- hot rolling said slab form to form a hot band;
- hot line annealing said hot band between 750.degree. and 1000.degree. F. for a time between 3 and 10 hours to increase alpha phase content therein;
- cold rolling said hot band to provide a final gauge strip product;
- heat treating said final gauge strip product between 275.degree. and 350.degree. F. for about 2 to 6 hours;
- and
- cooling said heat treated final gauge strip product to provide can stock with said increased alpha phase content.
A method of making can stock from continuously cast aluminum alloy slab with a low earing percentage comprising the steps of:
- providing an an aluminum alloy having copper, manganese, and magnesium as major alloying elements;
- continuously casting said alloy into slab form;
- hot rolling said slab form to form a hot band;
- hot line annealing said hot band between 750.degree. to 1000.degree. F. for 3 and 10 hours;
- cold rolling said annealed hot band to an intermediate gauge product;
- recrystallizing annealing said intermediate gauge product;
- cold rolling said annealed intermediate gauge product to a final gauge strip;
- and
- heat treating said final gauge strip between 250.degree. and 350.degree. F. for about 2 to 6 hours followed by cooling;
- wherein said can stock has said low earing percentage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.