Asymmetric rolling of twin-roll cast Al-5.5Mg-0.3Cu alloy sheet: Mechanical properties and formability

This study describes the feasibility of producing high-strength Al alloy sheet with a high solute content using a combined technique of twin-roll strip casting and asymmetric rolling. The Al sheet produced in this study exhibited excellent formability (r=1.0, Δr=0.16) and mechanical properties (σ_TS∼305 MPa, ε∼33%), that, cannot be feasibly obtained via the conventional technique based on ingot casting and rolling. The structural origin of the observed properties, especially enhanced formability, was clarified by examining the evolution of textures associated with strip casting and subsequent thermo-mechanical treatments. Our evaluation of the mechanical properties and formability leads us to conclude that the combination of strip casting and asymmetric rolling is a feasible process for enhancing the formability of Al alloy sheets to the level beyond what the conventional techniques can reach.