Effects of Variated Final Temperature and Workpiece Thickness for Hot Rolling of Aluminum Alloy EN AW-8011

Hot rolling in the process chain of aluminum-rolled products presents the critical element of material quality and influences productivity. To increase the letter demand modifications of hot rolling, the consequential changes of microstructure, crystallographic texture, and mechanical and formability properties must be acknowledged and consistently considered when planning the rolling process and rolled product. Achieving lower thicknesses of the hot-rolled band would enable fewer passes with cold rolling; consequently, hot rolling with the same number of passes can be completed with lower temperatures. Microstructural and texture characterizations conducted using the light microscope and scanning electron microscope, respectively, of the 3.25 mm hot-rolled band revealed that the smaller grains appeared in the center of the cross-section, unlike for the 6 mm hot-rolled band, where smaller grains were detected on the top and bottom positions of the cross-section. Furthermore, the comparison also shows that the 6 mm hot-rolled band had 64% of random texture components and 83% of recrystallized grains, whereas the proportional adjustment for the 3.25 mm hot-rolled band had 42% of random texture components and 55% of recrystallized grains. For the mechanical testing results, the elongation values in rolling and transverse directions significantly differ only in the case of a hot-rolled band of 3.25 mm. Consequently, the earing results are more than 1.5% higher for the 3.25 mm hot-rolled band, than the 6 mm hot-rolled band.

Automated summary

Hot rolling is a crucial element in the process chain of aluminum-rolled products, as it affects material quality and productivity. Modifications in hot rolling are necessary to meet higher demands, and considerations must be given to changes in microstructure, crystallographic texture, mechanical properties, and formability. By reducing the thickness of the hot-rolled band, fewer cold rolling passes are required, allowing for hot rolling at lower temperatures. Microstructural and texture characterizations of the hot-rolled bands revealed differences in grain distribution and texture components between the 3.25 mm and 6 mm bands. The mechanical testing results showed significant differences in elongation values and earing, with the 3.25 mm hot-rolled band having higher earing results.