Investigation of Elemental Distribution in the Sheet Sections After Aluminum Continuous Sheet Casting, Cold Rolling and Heat Treatment Processes

Abstract

Aluminum is used in millions of different products in many diverse industries from the aerospace industry to the food industry. Owing to its low density, high strength when alloyed, high elasticity, recyclability, high resistance to corrosion, easy workability, high heat and electrical conductivity, light and heat reflectivity and environmental friendliness; aluminum has become a material seen in all aspects of daily life. Twin roll casting products are converted into either flat plates or rolls of metal by cold rolling with the final thickness, surface quality, mechanical and metallurgical properties in mind; and are fine tuned for the desired application. Inherently low strength values of pure aluminum can be increased considerably by alloying with other metals. The most commonly used alloying elements for aluminum are: Cu, Mg, Si, Mn, Fe and Zn. The phase distribution in aluminum sheets is an important metallurgical condition affecting the final mechanical properties of the sheet and plate products. The amount of deformation experienced by the material in the rolling process changes the inner structure of the material. In this study, elemental analysis distributions were investigated depending on the amount of mechanical deformation in forging alloys, heat treatment temperature and duration, and process differences.