CN1200771A - Method for making beverage can, its top sheet and its pull ring - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved method for making beverage containers from aluminum alloys as well as can end and tabs therefore in which an aluminum alloy is strip cast and then subjected to one or more of a series of quenching and annealing operations. The present invention also provides the manufacture method of aluminum alloy can stock utilizing hot rolling immediately after strip casting to reduce the thickness of the feedstock, either with or without intermediate coiling of the feedstock.

Description

Make the method for beverage container and jar end face and draw ring

Background of invention

The present invention relates to a kind of method for preparing the aluminium alloy beverage container, more particularly, relate to more economical and make effectively as jar end face (end) of this class container and the method for draw ring (tab).

Prior art

Making beverage container with aluminium alloy is very common now.The at first die-cut conglobate profile of aluminum alloy plate materials, deep-draw then.Make cup flatten sidewall by a series of moulds with small-bore decrescence.Mould has produced a kind of pressing effect thus, has elongated sidewall and has produced the tank body thinner than the bottom.

Therefore, formability can be the key feature that is used to make the aluminium alloy of container tank.This container tank is usually used the aluminium alloy manufacturing of 3000 series.This aluminium alloy contains the alloying element of magnesium and manganese.Usually, be used for the manganese of tank body raw material and magnesium amount usually less than 1% weight.

In the manufacturing of this beverage container, on industrial practice, form the top cover and the draw ring that is easy to open this lid of this jar separately with different alloys.This lid and draw ring are sent to the filler of beverages can again, in case container filled by filler, then with its applying.The requirement of jar end face and draw ring often is different from the requirement of tank body.In general, for jar end face and draw ring need than hard intensity, this bigger requirement of strength shows that this jar of end face and draw ring should be by the aluminium alloy manufacturings.A kind of such alloy is alloy A A5182, is the high relatively aluminium alloy of a kind of magnesium content, to provide required additional strength to jar end face and draw ring.AA5182 contains the magnesium of 4.4% weight usually, has therefore increased the cost of jar end face and draw ring alloy.

Existing people proposes to use the alloy of 3000 series, as AA3104, as the aluminium alloy of making jar end face and draw ring.Because with AA5187 relatively, this alloy has the intensity that has reduced usually, therefore must use the bigger jar end face of being made by AA3104 of thickness, so expensive more.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide the raw material of jar end face and draw ring, and by jar end face and the draw ring of its manufacturing, to overcome aforesaid drawbacks.

Purpose more specifically of the present invention provides jar end face and draw ring, with and manufacture method, wherein use to contain the aluminium alloy of less alloying element and not lose its intensity.

Another specific purposes of the present invention provide jar end face and draw ring, with and manufacture method, wherein use the aluminium alloy contain less than 2% magnesium, and the necessary intensity of not losing jar end face and draw ring.

By detailed description of the present invention in the back, other purpose of the present invention and advantage will show more completely.

Summary of the invention

Although ultimate principle of the present invention is to find to use the aluminium alloy that contains less alloying element to make jar end face and draw ring, but utilize a kind of manufacture method can not lose its intensity, in this method, the preferred use contained the sheet material that forms manufacturing jar end face and draw ring less than 2% weight magnesium as the aluminium alloy of alloying element.In practice of the present invention, strip cast is to form tropical base cast raw material between the metal strip of a pair of movement continuously for aluminium alloy, and then, the raw material rapid quenching is separated out with the form of intermetallic compound in a large number to prevent alloying element.

Find that unexpectedly this manufacture method provides has the aluminium alloy stock that is equivalent to or is much better than the metallurgy feature that is conventionally used for the aluminium alloy that forms jar end face and draw ring.

According to preferred version of the present invention, find that present method can use the alloy of 3000 series, as AA3104, and needn't increase the thickness of jar end face and draw ring, obtain analogous band.The present invention is not limited to theory, can believe because the eutectic composition of gaining in strength can be provided, strip cast and subsequently the technology of rapid quenching provide and had the sheet material that improves intensity.In addition, be not limited to theory equally, can believe, in practice of the present invention, use annealing steps commonly used in the prior art, the formability that is used to form the sheet material of jar end face and draw ring can be improved with respect to the aluminium alloy that contains a large amount of unnecessary alloying elements.Therefore, the present invention allows to produce jar end face and draw ring by more cheap aluminium alloy, and does not lose the metallurgical properties of expensive alloy.

In a preferred version of the present invention, strip cast, quenching and rolling this series of steps preferably continuous and online (in line).It omits the advantage of processing of the prior art and material processing step in addition.Strip cast can be used for producing thickness less than 1.0 inches, be preferably the cast strip of 0.01-0.2 inch.In addition, according to the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the width of band is narrower than the usual manner.Be convenient to feeding (threading) and processing online like this, the production line of permission jar end face and draw ring physically is set together with the preparation equipment of jar or becomes its part.The position of filling machine further helps reducing additional processing and transmits cost, has therefore improved the macroeconomy of jar manufacturing operation.

According to another embodiment of the invention, aluminium alloy carries out the strip cast raw material that strip cast forms heat on a pair of metal strip that moves continuously, and the raw material rapid quenching is separated out with the form of intermetallic compound in a large number with the element that prevents aluminium alloy then.Afterwards, carry out or do not add rollingly, the raw material after the quenching is annealed and rapid quenching, has also prevented separating out in a large number of alloying element.Found that process annealing and quenching step improved the formability energy of raw material significantly, kept comprising simultaneously the high metallurgical properties of ultimate tensile strength and yield strength exceptionally.

Find that unexpectedly this manufacture method provides to have and has been equivalent to or is much better than the aluminium alloy stock that the metallurgy that is conventionally used for the aluminium alloy that forms jar end face and draw ring and formability can features.

By preferred version of the present invention, found to use the alloy of 3000 series, as AA3104, obtain analogous band, and need not increase the thickness of jar end face and draw ring.The present invention is not limited to theory, can believe because its sosoloid and age hardening, strip cast and subsequently the technology of rapid quenching provide and had the sheet alloy that improves intensity.Explanation again, the present invention is not limited to theory, can also believe that the formability that is used to form the sheet material of jar end face and draw ring of the present invention is equivalent to be much better than the DC-cast aluminium alloy that contains relatively large alloying element.Therefore, the present invention allows to produce jar end face and draw ring with more cheap aluminium alloy, and does not lose the metallurgical properties of expensive alloy.Found that also process annealing and quenching step have improved the formability energy of jar end face and draw ring material, and can not influence its intensity.

By another embodiment of the present invention, aluminium alloy is by strip cast, preferably between a pair of metal strip that moves continuously, to form tropical base cast raw material, then, carry out or do not add rolling, raw material by short annealing and rapid quenching to prevent separating out in a large number of alloying element.

Found that process annealing and quenching step improved the formability energy of raw material significantly, kept comprising simultaneously the high metallurgical properties of ultimate tensile strength and yield strength exceptionally.Omit the first quenching step and can more effectively utilize energy, because will not arrive required annealing temperature at the raw material reheat of the postcooling that quenches for the first time.Also find to omit first quenching like this and also might more effectively in online continuously step, utilize the principle of the invention.Therefore, in the process of implementing the inventive method, provide remarkable economic efficiency.

Find unexpectedly, compare that this manufacture method provides has aluminium alloy stock suitable or better metallurgy and formability energy feature with the conventional aluminium alloy that is used to form jar end face and draw ring.

According to preferred version of the present invention, found that the inventive method can utilize the alloy of 3000 series, as AA3104, obtain comparable pseudo strength, and need not increase the thickness of jar end face and draw ring.The present invention is not limited to theory, can believe, because sosoloid and age hardening, the technology of strip cast short annealing subsequently and quenching provides has the sheet alloy that improves intensity.Strip cast is carried out short annealing and quenching step subsequently, can carry out or does not carry out hot rolling before the annealing, is convenient to the rapid processing raw material, so alloying element has been eliminated with separating out basically of intermetallic compound form.In addition, the present invention is not limited to theory, can also believe, the sheet material of the present invention that is used to form jar end face and draw ring is equivalent to or is much better than the DC-cast aluminium alloy that contains relatively large alloying element.Therefore, the present invention allows to produce jar end face and draw ring by more cheap aluminium alloy, and does not lose those metallurgical properties of expensive alloy.Find that also annealing and quenching step have improved the forming property of jar end face and draw ring material, and do not influence its intensity.

The accompanying drawing summary

Fig. 1 is a schematic description of implementing the continuous on-line steps of first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic description of implementing the continuous on-line steps of second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic description of implementing the continuous on-line steps of third embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic description of implementing preferred strip cast equipment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is the stdn time-phase transition temperature figure of aluminium alloy, and having described rapid heating and quenching is how to eliminate alloying element to separate out with the intermetallic compound form, or is that it is significantly reduced at least.

Fig. 6 shows to utilize continuous on-line steps to produce the schematic description of the method for aluminum alloy plate materials.

Fig. 7 is by the figure of the present invention with the blank of winding (convoluted) die production that can control the ears or side handles of a utensil (earing).

Fig. 8 is the schematic description that is used for two consecutive steps of another embodiment of the invention.

The detailed description of accompanying drawing

The series of steps that is used for embodiment of the present invention is described in Fig. 1. An advantage of the invention is that the procedure of processing of producing sheet material can be arranged in two online sequences, wherein various procedure of processings are sequentially carried out. The present invention implements in a narrow width (such as 12 inches), so that the inventive method can make things convenient for and implement in the sheet material manufacturing equipment or near it economically. Like this, the inventive method can be by user's particular technology and output requirement operation.

In preferred embodiments, motlten metal is sent to the degassed and filter of metal from not shown stove, and to reduce dissolved gases and particulate matter from motlten metal, this is also not shown. Motlten metal is transformed into raw material casting or band 4 in being sent to casting device 3.

Raw material used in the invention process can prepare with any known foundry engieering of those skilled in the art, comprises such as US3, and the biobelt casting machine of describing in 937,270 here is incorporated herein by reference. In some applications, preferably use unexamined patent application 08/184,581, the method and apparatus of describing in 08/173,663 and 07/173,369 is as the technology of casting aluminium strip, and these documents here also are incorporated herein by reference.

Can be advantageously used in aforementioned co-pending application implemented strip cast technology of the present invention and is shown in Fig. 2. As shown in the figure, equipment comprises a pair of endless belt 10 and 12, by a pair of upper cylinder 14 and 16 and a pair of corresponding bottom roll 18 and 20 transmissions. It is rotatable that each cylinder all is supported installation, is suitable heat-resisting cylinder. One or two is driven by suitable motor device or similar devices in the upper cylinder 14 and 16, for the sake of simplicity, does not all illustrate in the drawings. Also be the same for bottom roll 18 and 20. Be with 10 and 12 all to be the endless belt, preferably made by the metal that has a less reactive with the aluminium that is cast. Mild steel or copper normally are used for the preferred material of this endless belt.

As shown in Figure 2, top that is installed in another of cylinder has the casting gap corresponding to the al zone thickness that is cast therebetween.

The motlten metal of casting is fed to the shaping gap by the suitable metal feeding device such as tundish 28. The inboard width of tundish 28 is basically suitable with width with 10 and 12, comprises that a metal supply transmits casting mouth 30 molten metal is sent to the casting gap between 10 and 12.

Casting Equipment also comprises a pair of cooling device 32 and 34, cooling device 32 and 34 position with between the endless belt of Metal Contact of casting gap casting relative. Cooling device 32 and 34 be used for respectively be with 10 with 12 with before motlten metal contacts with its cooling. In preferred version shown in Figure 2, shown in cooling device 32 and 34 is separately positioned on on 10 and 12 the return. In this embodiment, cooling device 32 and 34 can be the cooling body of commonly using, and is used for cooling fluid is directly injected to 10 and 12 inboard or the outside fluid tip with the whole thickness of band such as installation. More detailed data about strip cast equipment can find in quoting co-pending application as proof.

Get back to now Fig. 1, move through optional shearing and the side cut platform enters optional one or more hot rolling platforms 6 from the raw material 4 of strip cast machine 3, reduce its thickness here. After hot rolling platform 6 is finished hot-rolled manipulation,, here contact with cooling fluid immediately by quenching bench 7 from the raw material that still is in high temperature of casting operation. When enforcement is of the present invention, can use any quenching mechanism. Quenching bench is normally such, and wherein the cooling fluid with liquid or gas form is sprayed onto its temperature of fast reducing on the hot charge. Suitable cooling fluid comprises water, air, such as liquid gas of carbon dioxide or nitrogen etc. Any is arranged is important, i.e. quenching should be carried out the temperature with the fast reducing raw material fast, separates out in a large number from solid solution to prevent alloying element.

Those skilled in the art are appreciated that and can predict that slightly not separating out of intermetallic compound can affect final character. A small amount of separating out can not affect its final character, be because the amount of intermetallic compound seldom and can be heavy molten in the short annealing step under any circumstance, or because its volume and kind can ignore the impact of final character. Here term " in a large number " refers to affect the amount of separating out of final sheet material character.

Usually, be reduced to below 500 °F from the about 950 ℃ temperature of about 600-, preferably be reduced to below 450 °F. After the hot rolling then fast the importance of cooling be described among Fig. 3, this figure is the standardized graphics of the functional relation of the formation of alloying element precipitated phase and time and temperature. This curve is referred to as Time-temperature phase transformation or " C " curve in the art, and expression is when aluminium alloy heating or cooling, and alloying element is with the formed coarse granule of intermetallic compound precipitated phase and fine grain formation. Therefore, the cooling that then carrying out immediately hardening step after the hot rolling provides will be carried out under given pace, to such an extent as to the temperature-timeline of aluminium alloy remains between the longitudinal axis and the curve in quenching process. This has just guaranteed to cool off and has carried out effectively rapidly, has basically avoided these alloying elements to separate out with the form of intermetallic compound.

In preferred version of the present invention, raw material is sent to one or more cold rolling 19 from the quenching step, processes therein raw material and makes the alloy sclerosis and make its thickness reduction to final specification. In preferred version of the present invention, sometimes wish after cold rolling, to make cold-strip at high temperature about 10 hours of the preferred 300-375 °F of about 1-of lower timeliness. Because band quenches immediately after cold rolling and obviously reduced alloying element and separate out with the form of intermetallic compound, cast strip has unusual high levels of solute degree of supersaturation. Therefore, timeliness makes ultimate tensile strength and yield strength can improve with formability.

After this, can coil for future use in case of necessity, maybe can utilize routine techniques to be configured as jar end face and/or draw ring immediately through the cast strip of timeliness.

Those skilled in the art are appreciated that the cold rolling of not carrying out as at line method of a part also might realize benefit of the present invention in cold-rolling mill 19.Therefore, cold rolling step is an optional procedure of processing of the present invention, can omit fully, perhaps may carry out in the mode of off-line, and this depends on the end-use of the alloy of processing.As a principle, off-line carries out the cold rolling economic benefit that can reduce the preferred embodiment of the invention, and in the present invention, all procedure of processings are all carried out online.

Owing to economic reasons, in aluminium industry, in fact use the cast strip or the plate of broad.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, find: opposite with ordinary method, when the width of cast raw material 4 remains narrower band, be convenient to process and can use little dispersive strip-rolling equipment, can obtain best economic benefit.When the width of cast raw material less than 24 inches, in the time of preferably in the scope of 2-20 inch, obtained good result.Owing to use so narrow cast strip, make investment reduce widely by using little double-roller type milling train and all other online equipment.This little and economic small section mill of the present invention can be placed on need the position near, near the jar production unit.Just because of this, its further advantage is to make and the packing of product and chip, transportation cost related minimum.In addition, the volume of jar factory with and metallurgical the needs can accurately be complementary with adjacent small section mill.

In enforcement of the present invention, the hot rolling temperature out maintains in 300-1000 the scope usually.Hot rolling is normally carried out between the temperature of the solidus temperature of raw material at 300 °F.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the reduced thickness degree that is realized by hot rolling of the present invention and cold rolling manipulation can change in wide scope, this depend on used alloy kind, they chemical property with and the mode of production.Owing to these reasons, so the reduced thickness percentage ratio of each hot rolling of the present invention and cold rolling manipulation is unimportant to enforcement of the present invention.Yet,, must use the working specification of attenuate and temperature for specific product.Usually, hot-rolled manipulation makes reduced thickness 15-99%, and cold rolling manipulation makes reduced thickness 10-85% obtain good effect.Those skilled in the art are appreciated that as described above, the raw material that the strip cast of carrying out according to the most preferred embodiment of the present invention provides does not need hot-rolled step.

As noted above, can utilize the aluminium alloy that contains compared with prior art a small amount of alloying element as the sheet material of producing jar end face and draw ring by the principle of the invention.As general suggestion,, can use the aluminium alloy that contains less than 2% magnesium by principle of the present invention.Suitable aluminium alloy representative comprises the aluminium alloy of 3000 series, as AA3004 and AA3104.Because the unique combination of used procedure of processing in the invention process, can obtain to be equivalent to or to be better than the previously used intensity of the aluminium alloy of costliness with the aluminium alloy of low-aluminum-content like this.Usually, this aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

Usually, the ultimate tensile strength of the aluminium alloy of handling by the invention process and yield strength be greater than 50,000psi.

Ultimate principle of the present invention described above, with reference now to following examples, these embodiment are used for explanation rather than restriction the present invention.Embodiment 1

Aluminium alloy with following composition is become 0.080 inch thickness by strip cast:

Element	Weight percent
		????Si	????0.3
????Fe	????0.45
		????Cu	????0.2
????Mn	????0.90
		????Mg	????0.80
Aluminium and impurity	Equal amount

It is 0.037 inch to thickness that the band hot rolling is made in hot-cast, then at quenching-in water.After this, being cold rolled to final specification again is 0.116 inch.Then, cast strip cooling and 320 following timeliness a few hours.Measure ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS) and the unit elongation percentage ratio (%Elg) of cast strip, be listed in table 1.Embodiment 2

In this embodiment, use aluminium alloy with following composition:

Element	Weight percent
		????Si	?????0.3
????Fe	?????0.45
		????Cu	?????0.2
????Mn	?????0.94
		????Mg	?????0.92
Aluminium and impurity	Equal amount

In this embodiment, it is 0.080 inch that aforementioned aluminium alloy is become thickness by strip cast, stands quick air quenching then.After this, the final specification of hot rolling to 0.0110 inch, and 320-340 following stabilization.Its character is also listed in table 1.Embodiment 3

Use the alloy identical with embodiment 2, it is 0.080 inch that aluminium alloy is cast as thickness by band, and stands water quenching.After this, be cold rolled to 0.0110 inch final specification, and 320-340 following timeliness a few hours.Its character is also listed in table 1.

Table 1

	????UTS	????YS	????％Elg
				Embodiment 1	????51.6	????47.8	????7.2
Embodiment 2	????55.8	????52.8	????6.5
				Embodiment 3	????58.2	????55.0	????4.6

For relatively, carry out following embodiment A and B, in Comparative examples A, the final specification of the aluminium alloy AA5182 of conventional preparation is 0.0112 inch, in another comparative example B, is the cover aluminium of standard.It is formed and physical properties is listed as in the following table.Data show, can use the aluminium alloy of the aluminium alloy of low-aluminum-content as manufacturing cover and draw ring in enforcement of the present invention, and not lose its metallurgical properties.

Table 2

Alloy	Form					Character
									???Si	???Fe	???Cu	???Mn	???Mg	????UTS	??YS	?％Elg
	??A	??0.1	??0.2	??0.05	??0.3	??4.4-4.6	???53-56	?46-49									??6-9
??B									??0.15	??0.40	??0.17- ??0.25	??0.90- ??1.12	??1.07- ??1.30	???44-47	?40-44	??5-6

Second embodiment of the present invention of utilizing the process annealing step as shown in Figure 2.Strip cast operation in strip cast machine 3, optional hot rolling 6 and quenching 7 are same as shown in Figure 1.

After the quenching, raw material can be rolling and be stored up to needs.As a kind of selection, can be continuously reach quick anneal oven 17 then by one optional cold rolling 15, therein, with the raw material of coiling or zonal form by rapid heating.The short annealing step provides improved comprehensive metalline, as particle diameter, intensity and forming property.Because raw material by rapid heating, has been avoided separating out in a large number of alloying element.Therefore, heating operation should proceed to necessary annealing and recrystallization temperature so that the temperature-time curve of aluminium alloy not with Fig. 5 in C curve intersects, if intersection then can cause is in a large number separated out.

Well heater 17 is right after quenching platform 18, therein, utilizes conventional cooling fluid that cast strip is cooled off or is quenched into and is suitable for cold rolling temperature.Because raw material is cooled off in quenching step 18 fast, does not have time enough that alloying element is separated out from sosoloid in a large number.

In preferred version of the present invention, raw material, is wherein handled raw material and is made the alloy sclerosis, and make its thickness be reduced to final specification to one or more cold rolling 19 from the quenching step.In preferred version of the present invention, after cold rolling, wish sometimes to make cold rolling cast strip at elevated temperatures, preferably about 10 hours of 220-400 the about 1-of following timeliness.Because cast strip quenches after hot rolling immediately, it is minimum to make alloying element separate out with the form of intermetallic compound, so cast strip has unusual high solute degree of supersaturation.Therefore, timeliness makes ultimate tensile strength and yield strength improve with forming property.

After this, the cast strip after timeliness can coil with standby, perhaps uses routine techniques to be configured as jar end face and/or draw ring immediately.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that not and in cold-rolling mill 19, to carry out cold rollingly also might obtaining benefit of the present invention as the part of on-line machining.Therefore, using cold rolling step is an optional procedure of processing of the present invention, can omit fully or carries out in the mode of off-line, and this depends on the end-use of the alloy of processing.As a principle, carry out the cold rolling economic benefit that can reduce the preferred embodiment of the invention of off-line, in the present invention, all procedure of processings are all carried out online.

In enforcement of the present invention, the hot rolling temperature out is usually in 300-1000 scope.Hot rolling is normally carried out in the temperature between the raw material solidus curve at 300 °F.

It is to carry out under 600-1200 temperature less than 120 seconds with the annealing steps that causes recrystallize that raw material stands solution heat treatment (solution heat treatment), preferably carries out 0.1-10 second.After thermal treatment the raw material of cast strip 4 forms immediately water be quenched into necessary temperature so that alloying element continues to be retained in the sosoloid, normally less than under 400 the temperature.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the reduced thickness degree that is realized by hot rolling of the present invention and cold rolling manipulation can change in wide scope, this depend on used alloy kind, they chemical property with and the mode of production.Owing to these reasons, so the reduced thickness percentage ratio of hot rolling each time of the present invention and cold rolling manipulation is unimportant to enforcement of the present invention.Usually, hot-rolled manipulation makes reduced thickness 15-99%, and cold rolling manipulation makes reduced thickness 10-85% obtain good effect.Those skilled in the art are appreciated that as described above, the raw material that the strip cast of carrying out according to the most preferred embodiment of the present invention provides does not need hot-rolled step.

As noted above, can utilize the aluminium alloy that contains compared with prior art a small amount of alloying element as the sheet material of producing end face and draw ring by preferred version of the present invention.As general suggestion,, can use the aluminium alloy that contains less than 2% magnesium by principle of the present invention.Suitable aluminium alloy representative comprises the aluminium alloy of 3000 series, as AA3004 and AA3104.Because the unique combination of used procedure of processing in the invention process, can obtain to be equivalent to or to be better than the previously used intensity and the forming property of the aluminium alloy of costliness with the aluminium alloy of low-alloy content like this.Usually, this aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

The ultimate principle of embodiment of the present invention described above, with reference now to following examples, these embodiment are used for explanation rather than restriction the present invention.Embodiment 4

Aluminium alloy with following composition is become 0.090 inch thickness by strip cast:

Element	Weight percent
		????Si	?????0.3
????Fe	?????0.45
		????Cu	?????0.2
????Mn	?????0.90
		????Mg	?????0.80
Aluminium and impurity	Equal amount

Band is made in hot-cast, and to roll thickness immediately be 0.045 inch, and 5 seconds of heating under 1000 temperature are then immediately at quenching-in water.Raw material is rolled down to 0.0116 inch thickness, and under 320 °F with final specification stabilization two hours.Its ultimate tensile strength is 56,000psi, and yield strength is 56,000psi, unit elongation are 7.2%.

The 3rd embodiment of the present invention had been used an annealing steps as shown in Figure 3 before quenching.That describes among strip cast operation 3 and the hot-rolled manipulation 6 chosen wantonly and Fig. 1 and 2 as before, is identical.

After finishing optional hot-rolled manipulation on the hot rolling platform 6, the raw material annealing furnace 7 of making a gift to someone immediately will still keep raw material under the high temperature in the casting operation by rapid heating therein, as by short annealing.Short annealing provides improved comprehensive metalline, as particle diameter, intensity and forming property.Because raw material by rapid heating, has been avoided separating out in a large number of alloying element.

It is quenching platform 8 that well heater 7 is right after, and therein, utilizes conventional cooling fluid cast strip to be cooled off or be quenched into and is fit to cold rolling temperature.Because raw material is cooling fast in quenching platform 8, does not also have time enough that alloying element is separated out from sosoloid in a large number.As before, quench fast and prevent that with the temperature that reduces hot charge alloying element from separating out in a large number is important from sosoloid.

The importance of rapid heating and quenching is described among Fig. 3, is the formation of alloying element precipitated phase and the stdn figure of time and temperature function relation.Therefore, the heating that in annealing steps, realizes and be to finish with such speed in the cooling that the hardening step that carries out immediately after the annealing is realized: in heating and temperature-time line that aluminium alloy is followed during quenching maintain between the longitudinal axis and the curve.This carries out with enough fast speed with regard to having guaranteed heating and cooling, thereby has avoided these alloying elements to separate out in a large number with the form of intermetallic compound.

In preferred version of the present invention, raw material is sent to one or more cold rolling 19 from the quenching step, handles raw material therein and makes the alloy sclerosis and make its thickness be reduced to final specification.In preferred implementation process, wish sometimes to make after cold rolling cold rolling strap at elevated temperatures, about 10 hours of preferred 220-400 the about 1-of following timeliness.Because cast strip quenches after annealing immediately, obviously reduced alloying element and separated out with the form of intermetallic compound, cast strip has unusual high levels of solute degree of supersaturation.Therefore, the timeliness step makes ultimate tensile strength and yield strength can improve with formability.

After this, can coil standbyly through the cast strip of timeliness, maybe can utilize routine techniques to be configured as jar end face and/or draw ring immediately.

Those skilled in the art are appreciated that not carrying out cold rolling step in the cold-rolling mill 19 as the part of on-line machining also can realize benefit of the present invention.Therefore, cold rolling step is an optional procedure of processing of the present invention, can omit fully, perhaps carries out in the mode of off-line, and this depends on the end-use of the alloy that will process.As a principle, off-line carries out the cold rolling economic benefit that can reduce preferred version of the present invention, and in the present invention, all procedure of processings are all carried out online.

In the enforcement of this scheme, the hot rolling temperature out maintains 300-1000 °F usually.Hot rolling is carried out under the temperature between the solidus temperature of raw material at 300 °F usually.

It is to carry out under 600-1200 temperature less than 120 seconds with the annealing steps that causes recrystallize that raw material stands solution heat treatment, preferably carries out 0.1-10 second.The raw material of cast strip 4 forms is quenched into necessary temperature immediately after thermal treatment, makes alloying element continue to maintain in the sosoloid, normally under less than 550 temperature.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the reduced thickness degree that is realized by the hot rolling and the cold rolling manipulation of the embodiment of the present invention can change in wide scope, this depend on used alloy kind, they chemical property with and the mode of production.Owing to these reasons, so the reduced thickness percentage ratio of hot rolling each time of the present invention and cold rolling manipulation is unimportant to enforcement of the present invention.Usually, hot-rolled manipulation makes reduced thickness 15-99%, cold rolling manipulation make reduced thickness 10-85% obtain good effect.Those skilled in the art are appreciated that as described above, the raw material that the strip cast of carrying out according to the most preferred embodiment of the present invention provides does not need hot-rolled step.

As noted above, by principle of the present invention, can utilize the aluminium alloy that contains a small amount of alloying element compared with prior art as the sheet material of producing end face and draw ring.As general suggestion,, can use the aluminium alloy that contains less than 2% magnesium by principle of the present invention.Representative suitable aluminium alloy comprises the aluminium alloy of 3000 series, as AA3004 and AA3104.Because the unique combination of used procedure of processing in the invention process, can obtain to be equivalent to or to be better than the previously used intensity and the forming property of the aluminium alloy of costliness with the aluminium alloy of low-alloy content like this.Usually, this aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

The present invention program's ultimate principle described above, with reference now to following examples, these embodiment are used for explanation rather than restriction the present invention.Embodiment 5

Aluminium alloy with following composition is become 0.090 inch thickness by strip cast:

Element	Weight percent
		????Si	????0.3
????Fe	????0.45
		????Cu	????0.2
????Mn	????0.90
		????Mg	????0.80
Aluminium and impurity	Equal amount

Band is made in hot-cast, and to be rolled down to thickness immediately be 0.045 inch, and 5 seconds of heating under 1000 temperature are then immediately at quenching-in water.Raw material is rolled down to 0.0116 inch thickness, and under 320 °F with final specification stabilization two hours.Its ultimate tensile strength is 56,000psi, and yield strength is 50,600psi, unit elongation are 7.2%.

Ultimate principle described above all relates to the manufacturing of jar end face and the draw ring of aluminium alloy beverage container, is different problems with the manufacturing of the aluminium alloy can stock that is used to prepare aluminium alloy beverage container sidewall and bottom.Also as mentioned above, it is very favorable using aforementioned continuous on-line steps online in the aluminium alloy course of processing of making aluminium alloy can stock.

At the unexamined patent application No.07/902 of on June 23rd, 1992 application, in 936, disclose a kind of in making aluminium alloy can stock the new principle of processing aluminium alloy, its disclosed content here is incorporated herein by reference.Be disclosed in when producing the aluminum alloy tank body base, can and cold rollingly be combined into a continuous online operation casting, hot rolling, annealing, solution heat treatment, quenching.The advantage of method is can be with the continuous online step of very high speed operation in the aforementioned application, and its speed is per minute hundreds of foot.A shortcoming relevant with the aforementioned application method provides that solute element dissolves again and the process annealing step by the sheet material recrystallize control ears or side handles of a utensil is the limiting factor of this process operation speed.With the rising of production rate, the preferred continuous annealing furnace that uses must be done very longly in the disclosed enforcement in aforementioned application, and operates under higher energy consumption, and this just means the rising of equipment investment cost and process operation cost.Therefore, wish to avoid the continuous annealing step.

By using one group of successive step, can produce aluminum alloy plate materials, the aluminum alloy tank body raw material that preferably has required metallurgical properties, these steps provide hot aluminium alloy stock, this raw material reaches desired thickness through the series rooling step fast and continuously raw material is cooled off, required metallurgical property is provided simultaneously, and need use annealing steps commonly used in the prior art.Similar with prior art, as at US 4,282, the same described in 044, suggestion can pass through strip cast, then produces the aluminum alloy tank body raw material by rolling and coiling, and therefore, the rolling raw material that coils form can slowly cool off.After this, make and coil annealing to improve the metallurgical properties of sheet material.

According to the present invention, have now found that, if after the casting raw material is cooled off fast, then must not use annealing steps to obtain the required metallurgical properties that produces by the sosoloid of solvable element.The invention is not restricted to theory, can believe that the quick cooling that is realized by continuously online rolling operation is to finish in the time of enough lacking, prevented that the alloying element in the aluminum feedstock from separating out with the form of intermetallic compound.This evolution reaction is a diffusion controlled reaction, needs traveling time.When raw material in rolling is cooled off fast, there is not time enough that the evolution reaction of diffusion control is taken place.Therefore, not only be convenient to the on-line machining of aluminium alloy, and fast cooling has prevented separating out in a large number of alloying element, made that utilizing high temperature annealing to obtain the final jar of required intensity of product becomes no longer and do not wanted so that the treatment step of material is minimum.

The raw material that the inventive method is produced is characterised in that it is to produce in the mode of very economical, does not need to use expensive annealing steps.Those skilled in the art are appreciated that annealing is used for making the ears or side handles of a utensil minimum in the prior art.Have now found that, in enforcement of the present invention, hot rolled condition (time and temperature), can be used for controlling the ears or side handles of a utensil as the speed of the thickness of the alloy of cast strip and casting.For example, it is believed that with low thick aluminium alloy and reduced the ears or side handles of a utensil; Similarly, also can reduce the ears or side handles of a utensil with higher speed casting.Though utilize the processing conditions that trends towards producing the aluminium alloy strips with high ears or side handles of a utensil trend, this phenomenon can be controlled by other scheme.

By another embodiment of the invention, the high ears or side handles of a utensil rate that raw material produces can compensate by using winding mould well known in the prior art that finished raw material is die-cut into non-circular blank before deep-draw.Because removed the metal that can be transformed into the ears or side handles of a utensil when the deep-draw from the blank peripheral part, any ears or side handles of a utensil trend of sheet material has been offset in the use of winding mould.Therefore, the winding mould has been offset because of having omitted any ears or side handles of a utensil that high temperature annealing may cause.

According to the preferred embodiments of the invention, made band by strip cast less than 1.0 inches, be preferably the 0.01-0.2 inch.

In a further preferred embodiment, different with usual manner, the width of band or sheet or plate is narrower; This is convenient to feeding and processing online, has reduced the investment of equipment, has reduced the cost that molten metal is converted into jar raw material.

The preferred method of the present invention comprises a kind of novel method of using following on-line steps manufacturing aluminium alloy cup and tank body successively continuously:

(a) at first, preferably by strip cast, provide the aluminum feedstock of heat; With

(b) in preferred embodiments, it is rolling that raw material is stood, fast and continuously sheet material cooled off required thickness and to obtain required intensive property.Then, it is standby that the refrigerative blank can form coiled material, or utilize the winding mould of the control ears or side handles of a utensil further to process to form non-circular blank.

The present invention program's a notion is: have before time enough separates out from sosoloid with the form of intermetallic compound by diffusion controlled reaction at alloying element, finish the rolling of fresh cast strip fast.Like this, the inventive method might be omitted the high-temperature annealing step that makes solvable alloying element solid solution that needs in the prior art.In general, cast raw material must preferably in less than 10 seconds, be cooled to cold rolling temperature in less than 30 seconds.

In preferred embodiments, it is as follows to be different from the feature of the total method of the present invention of art methods:

(a) width of tank body raw produce is narrow;

(b) the tank body raw material is to utilize little, online, simple machine production;

(c) by using the winding mould to suppress the high ears or side handles of a utensil trend that non-annealed aluminium alloy has, can obtain required intensity simultaneously; With

(d) described jar raw material plant is to be positioned at jar factory or in its vicinity, therefore, has omitted packing and transport operation.

Procedure of processing is arranged on (as 12 inches) in the narrow width online, can be in the jar production facility, or convenient nearby and finish these steps economically.Like this, the inventive method can be carried out the particular technology and the output requirement of jar raw material by the jar manufacturing facility.

In preferred version of the present invention as shown in Figure 6, show and implement series of steps used in the present invention.An advantage of the invention is that the step of producing the tank body plate can be arranged on the successive production line, various steps can be finished successively.So omitted a plurality of operations fully.

As shown in Figure 1, in preferred embodiments, molten metal is sent to the metal degassing and filtration unit 2 from stove 1, to reduce dissolved gases and particulate matter from molten metal.Molten metal is converted into cast raw material 4 immediately in casting equipment 3.Here term " raw material " is meant the aluminium alloy of any kind of of the ingot casting, sheet material, sheet material and the ribbon form that are sent to hot-rolled step under the temperature of necessity.Here the thickness of aluminium " ingot casting " is generally about 30 inches of about 6-, generally is by DC-casting or electromagnetic casting method production.On the other hand, aluminium " sheet material " is meant that here thickness is the about 6 inches aluminium alloy of about 0.5-, normally by DC-casting or separately electromagnetic casting method or combine with the hot rolling of aluminium alloy produce." sheet material " that here uses is meant that thickness as the about 3 inches aluminium alloy of 0.375-, therefore, comprises aluminium sheet.Here " band " of Shi Yonging is meant that thickness is less than 0.375 inch aluminium alloy.In the ordinary course of things, sheet material and band are all by the known continuous casting technology preparation of those skilled in the art.

Raw material used in the invention process can prepare with any foundry engieering well known by persons skilled in the art, comprises as US3, and the biobelt casting machine of describing in 937,270, this patent here is incorporated herein by reference.In some applications, the preferred unexamined patent application of submitting on June 21st, 1,994 184 of using, No. 581, submitted on December 23rd, 1993 173, submit on No. 663 and December 12 nineteen ninety 173, the method and apparatus of describing in 369 is as the technology of casting aluminium strip, and these documents here also are incorporated herein by reference.Can be advantageously used in the strip cast technology that is described in the aforementioned co-pending application of the invention process is shown among Fig. 4.

Raw material 4 moves to one or more hot rolling platforms 6 by optional pinch roll 5, and here its thickness has reduced.In addition, rolling station also with raw material fast cooling to prevent or to suppress reinforced alloys composition in the aluminium alloy, as separating out of manganese, copper, magnesium and silicon.

Those skilled in the art are appreciated that the also simultaneously quick cooling strip material of the thickness that can use one or more rolling steps to reduce band 4 is to avoid separating out of alloying element.The temperature out of strip cast machine 3 can change between the solidus temperature of alloy at about 700 °F.Rolling operation is cooled to be fit to cold rolling temperature with the temperature of cast strip 4, normally be less than 30 seconds, preferably be less than 10 time internal cooling to being lower than 350 °F, with guarantee cooling be carry out fastishly to avoid or to reduce alloying element in a large number and from sosoloid, separate out.The refrigerative effect can illustrate that this figure has illustrated the formation of intermetallic precipitate in aluminium and the funtcional relationship of temperature and time with reference to Fig. 5 fast.In enforcement of the present invention, importantly in rolling operation, cool off raw material apace, make band 4 along not with the temperature-time line cooling of curve intersection shown in Figure 5.In the enforcement of prior art, allow as the slow cooling of coiled material, caused the temperature-time line with these curve intersections, slowly cool off and cause that alloying element separates out with the form of intermetallic compound.

Can in wide scope, change by the reduced thickness that rolling operation realized, this depend on used alloy kind, they chemical property with and the mode of production.Owing to these reasons, the reduced thickness percentage ratio of rolling operation is unimportant to enforcement of the present invention.Usually, when making the original thickness attenuate 40-99% of cast strip, rolling operation obtained good result.

In addition, preferably use winding mould cutting blank and the cup manufactured jar immediately, to replace coiling of band or sheet material 4.The winding mould that uses in the invention process is well known in the art, and is disclosed in US 4,711, in 611 and 5,095,733.These moulds are used always, are known to those skilled in the art.The winding mould that uses in the invention process can be used for forming the non-circular blank of profile as shown in Figure 7, then, can form the cup with profile shown in the same figure.Therefore, can use the winding mould where necessary so that the trend minimum of the ears or side handles of a utensil.

Those skilled in the art are appreciated that also and can before handling sheet material with the winding mould sheet material be coiled.

This notion of the present invention can be widely used in the aluminium alloy as jar raw material.Usually, being suitable for being used for alloy of the invention process is the silicon that contains about 0.6% weight of the 0-that has an appointment, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of about 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 4% weight of about 0.2-, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium alloy of the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.Representational suitable aluminium alloy comprises the aluminium alloy of 3000 and 5000 series, as AA3004, AA3104 and AA5017.

The ultimate principle of embodiment of the present invention described above, with reference now to following examples, these embodiment are used to illustrate the present invention.Embodiment 6

Use conventional circular die that the jar raw material plate of a unannealed final specification is configured as a cup, the ears or side handles of a utensil rate that records is 6.6%.

A plate on die cutting die that the same course of processing (still unannealed) is adjacent is configured as a cup with winding cutting edge edge, and the ears or side handles of a utensil rate that records is 3.1%.Embodiment 7

With 0.09 inch thick thin metal strip of speed casting of 300 feet of per minutes, and immediately by three high-speed rollings, its thickness is 0.0114 inch from 0.090 inch attenuate, and temperature is reduced to 300 °F from 900 °F in rolling.So the ears or side handles of a utensil rate of the sheet material of producing is 3.8%.Final strength is 43, and 400psi, unit elongation are 4.4%.

A kind of variation of the continuous on-line operation of aluminium alloy can raw material is disclosed in US 5,356, in 495, has wherein used the continuous on-line operation of step two-stage.In the fs, aluminium alloy stock at first stands hot rolling, coils, coiled material self-annealing, and subordinate phase comprises continuously online uncoiling, do not have the quenching of intercooling step, and is cold rolling and coil.The advantage that is described in the method in one patent of back is the cost of investment that has reduced annealing furnace, and the aluminium plate and jar raw material that have with the heat treated suitable intensity of aluminium alloy are provided simultaneously.

The on-line continuous operation production aluminium alloy and jar raw material of available two kinds of different stepss have been found, wherein, for aluminum alloy plate materials and jar raw material with high required metallurgical properties is provided, the fs of operation comprises the quenching step, and the subordinate phase of operation comprises the short annealing step.Have now found that, quenching after the rapid heating in the rapid quenching in the fs of operation steps and the subordinate phase of operation steps makes the alloying element in the alloy can not separate out in a large number, therefore, provide aluminium alloy and jar raw material with high required metallurgical properties.

Can be in conjunction with casting, hot rolling and rapid quenching in the fs of operate continuously step, so rapid quenching can not make alloying element separate out in a large number from sosoloid, is retained in the sosoloid so guaranteed alloying element.And in the subordinate phase of continuous on-line operation step, aluminium alloy can short annealing and rapid quenching to guarantee that alloying element is in sosoloid.Quenching after annealing in the subordinate phase of operation steps makes alloying element in the sosoloid at most to strengthen the finished product.

Here, term " annealing " or " short annealing " are meant and cause that aluminium alloy crystal grain recrystallize is to produce even forming property and to control the heat-processed of the ears or side handles of a utensil.Short annealing here is meant a kind of short annealing process, can realize the recrystallize of aluminium grain, but can not cause separating out in a large number of intermetallic compound.The slow heating and cooling meeting of aluminium alloy causes separating out in a large number of intermetallic compound, and this is known.Therefore, heat apace, short annealing and quenching be a key concept of the present invention.Operate continuously replaces batchwise operation to be convenient to accurately control processing conditions and metallurgical properties.In addition, finishing continuously these steps has online cancelled expensive materials processing step and has reduced and drive and stop relevant equipment and loss.

Method of the present invention comprises a kind of novel method of using following steps manufacturing aluminum alloy plate materials and tank body raw material in two continuous online stages.In the fs of method, the continuous online following steps of carrying out:

(a) aluminum feedstock of hot rolling heat is with its thickness of attenuate;

(b) then with the raw material rapid quenching of the attenuate of heat to being suitable for cold rolling temperature, do not separate out in a large number and do not make as the alloying element of manganese;

(c) in a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is cold rolling to produce the sheet material of intermediate specification the quenching raw material to be stood; And

(d) coil raw material in order to further processing.In the subordinate phase of method, the continuous online following steps of carrying out:

(a), randomly, in the time of if necessary, can further stand cold rolling so that the reduced thickness of raw material with the raw material uncoiling;

(b) raw material stands short annealing with enough fast speed, thereby realize the recrystallize of aluminium grain, avoid alloying element to separate out in a large number, after this with the form of intermetallic compound, raw material also stands rapid quenching, separates out in a large number with the form of intermetallic compound to avoid alloying element; And

(c) the quenching raw material stands further cold rolling and coils final specification.

A key concept of the present invention is that short annealing and hardening step must carry out fast, and with assurance alloying element, particularly manganese, and the compound of copper, silicon, magnesium and aluminium maintains in the sosoloid.Known as those skilled in the art, the precipitation-hardening of aluminium is the diffusion control phenomenon of time decision.Importantly the short annealing of the subordinate phase of step and hardening step are to carry out with enough fast speed, to such an extent as to there is not time enough that the intermetallic compound of copper, silicon, magnesium, iron, aluminium and manganese is separated out in a large number.Simultaneously, it is minimum that the secondary stage annealing of step and hardening step also make the ears or side handles of a utensil.This is a particularly important when aluminium alloy is jar raw material, because find that ears or side handles of a utensil phenomenon is very frequent when being formed jar by the tank body raw material, because the aluminium alloy viscous deformation is heterogeneous.Therefore make the minimum intensity that improved of separating out of intermetallic compound, allow recrystallize on lighter specification, to be accomplished, make final cold working minimum, thereby reduce the ears or side handles of a utensil.

By the preferred embodiments of the invention, make band by strip cast, with the casting material of production thickness less than 1.0 inches, preferred thickness is between the 0.06-0.2 inch.In another preferred version, opposite with usual manner, band, sheet material or sheet material are narrow.Be convenient to online feeding and processing like this, make that the investment on equipment is minimum, make that to become board cost by molten metal minimum.

The series of steps that is used for this concrete scheme of the present invention is shown as Fig. 8.An advantage of the invention is that the procedure of processing of producing sheet material can be arranged in two continuous on-line in the stage, wherein various sequence of steps are carried out.In narrow width (as 12 inches), implement to the invention enables the present invention conveniently in the sheet material consumer device or near it, to finish economically.Like this, the inventive method can be operated according to the particular technology and the output of sheet material user needs.

In preferred embodiments, molten metal is sent to the metal degassing and filtration unit from not shown stove, and to reduce dissolved gases and particulate matter from molten metal, this is also not shown.Molten metal is sent on the cast raw material 4 in the casting device 3 immediately.

The strip cast technology that can be advantageously used in the invention process of the description in the aforementioned unexamined patent application is shown among Fig. 4.Move through optional shearing or side cut platform 5 enters one or more hot rolling platforms 6 from the raw material 4 of strip cast machine 3, here its thickness is thinned.After finishing hot-rolled manipulation on the hot rolling platform 6, raw material reaches quenching platform 7 immediately, and still the raw material under the high temperature of casting operation contacts with cooling fluid.In the invention process, can use any quenching device.Usually quenching device is such: cooling fluid is sprayed on the hot charge with its temperature of quick reduction with the form of liquid or gas.The cooling fluid that is fit to comprises water, liquefied gas, and as carbonic acid gas or nitrogen, or the like.Importantly quench fast to reduce the temperature of hot charge as soon as possible, from sosoloid, separate out in a large number to prevent alloying element.

Those skilled in the art are appreciated that and can predict that slightly not separating out of intermetallic compound can influence final character.A spot of separating out can not influence its final character, is because can be heavy molten in the amount short annealing step seldom under any circumstance of intermetallic compound, or can ignore the influence of final character because of its volume and type.Here term " in a large number " is meant separating out of the final sheet material character of influence.

Usually, be reduced to below 500 °F, preferably be reduced to below 450 °F from about 950 temperature of about 600-.After this, raw material can be coiled with conventional spooling equipment in spooling machine 8.As a kind of selection, coil before raw material 4 can stand cold rolling, as the cooling before an optional step.

Quick refrigerative importance after the hot rolling is described among Fig. 5, and this figure is the formation of alloying element precipitated phase and the standardized graphics of time and functional relationship of temperature.This curve is referred to as time-phase transition temperature or " C " curve in the art, and expression is when aluminium alloy heating or cooling, and alloying element is separated out formed coarse particles and fine particle with intermetallic compound.Therefore, then carry out the cooling that hardening step provided after the hot rolling immediately and will under given pace, carry out, to such an extent as to the temperature-time line of aluminium alloy remains between the longitudinal axis and the curve in quenching process.This has just guaranteed to cool off and has carried out effectively apace, has avoided these alloying elements to separate out with the form of intermetallic compound basically.

In case after coiling, the refrigerative raw material can store for future use.The temperature of raw material before reduced in quenching platform 7 fast, separated out in a large number to prevent alloying element and compound; Therefore, coiled material can standing storage.

In the subordinate phase of step, when needs provided final alloy, the coiled material of storage can stand the second continuous on-line step, and this is shown among Fig. 8.The coiled material that the front has formed is placed on the uncoiling machine 13, reaches one optional cold rolling 15 then, then reaches quick anneal oven 17, therein rapid heating.The short annealing step provides improved complex metallurgy character, as particle diameter, intensity and forming property.Because raw material is a rapid heating, has avoided separating out in a large number of alloying element.Therefore, heating operation must proceed to required annealing or recrystallization temperature, to such an extent as to the temperature-time line of aluminium alloy not with Fig. 5 in C curve intersect, thereby do not cause in a large number and separate out.Immediately following well heater 14 back be quenching platform 15, wherein the conventional cooling fluid of band utilization is cooled fast to and is fit to cold rolling temperature.Because raw material is cooling fast in quenching step 15, there is not time enough to cause that any alloying element separates out in a large number from sosoloid.Be convenient to obtain the intensity higher like this than ordinary method.Reduced the amount of reinforcement that needs cold working to produce like this, less cold working has reduced the ears or side handles of a utensil.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, to one or more cold rolling 19, wherein raw material is processed with hardening agent from the quenching step for raw material, and its thickness is reduced to final specification.After cold rolling, band 4 spoolings become coiled material 21.

Those skilled in the art are appreciated that not carrying out conduct in cold-rolling mill 19 also can obtain benefit of the present invention at the cold rolling step of the part of line method.Therefore, the use of cold rolling step is an optional procedure of processing of the present invention, can omit fully, perhaps carries out in the mode of off-line, and this depends on the end-use of the alloy that will process.As a principle, off-line carries out the cold rolling economic benefit that can reduce the preferred embodiment of the invention, and in the present invention, all procedure of processings are all carried out online.

Can use suitable automatic control equipment, this also is necessary sometimes, for example often wishes to use surface detection apparatus with the in-service monitoring surface quality.In addition, also can on the route of raw material, use measurer for thickness commonly used in the aluminium industry to control this process.

In the enforcement of this embodiment, the hot rolling temperature out maintains between 300-1000 °F usually.Hot rolling is to carry out to the scope of the solidus temperature of raw material at 300 °F.Annealing and solution heat treatment are to carry out under 600-1200 temperature less than 120 seconds, preferably between 0.1-10.After thermal treatment under this temperature, the raw material of band 4 forms water immediately is quenched into and is retained in alloying element in the sosoloid continuously and is suitable for cold rolling temperature (being usually less than 400).

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the reduced thickness degree that is realized by hot rolling of the present invention and cold rolling manipulation can change in wide scope, this depend on used alloy kind, they chemical property with and the mode of production.Owing to these reasons, so the reduced thickness percentage ratio of each hot rolling of the present invention and cold rolling manipulation is unimportant to enforcement of the present invention.Yet for specific product, attenuate and temperature are to use.Usually, hot-rolled manipulation makes reduced thickness 15-99%, and cold rolling manipulation makes reduced thickness 10-85% obtain good effect.Those skilled in the art are appreciated that as described above, the raw material that the strip cast of carrying out according to the most preferred embodiment of the present invention provides does not need hot-rolled step.At raw material is that hot-rolled step can be avoided fully under the situation of producing by this strip cast technology, is an optional step of the present invention therefore.

Notion of the present invention can be widely used in the various aluminium alloys that use in multiple product.Usually, the alloy of 1000,2000,3000,4000,5000,6000,7000 and 8000 series is suitable for enforcement of the present invention.

The ultimate principle of this scheme described above, with reference now to following examples, these embodiment have described enforcement of the present invention.The sample raw material is enough quick-setting cast aluminium alloy, and its accessory branch crystalline substance (secondary dendrite arm) gap is less than 10 microns.Embodiment 8

In test 1 and 2, have table 3 ingredients listed and the aluminium alloy prior art example all by using biobelt casting machine cast aluminium alloy to obtain, wherein band is cooled, and they do not contact with the sheet metal strip of molten metal or casting, and the thickness of the cast metal strip of production is 0.10 inch.Then, cast strip has been produced the product with the listed feature of table 3 by processing shown in the table in each embodiment.Description of the Prior Art is at US 4,292, in 044, exception be that strip cast in art methods is to use and constructed the finishing of testing 1 and 2.Also listed the representative data with the aluminium alloy with AA3104 and AA5182 composition of conventional ingot casting production in the table 3, wherein ingot casting thickness is 26 inches.List the intensity of the jar clasp (buckle) except that 5182,, all be adapted to 0.0112 inch specification in order to contrast.

Test has illustrated the unexpected result that the present invention produces.No matter carry out or do not carry out hot rolling, replace slowly cooling to cause the intensity that significantly improves by the rapid quenching of the principle of the invention.Data show that in the invention process, the intensity of the aluminium alloy of low alloyed element content approaches AA5182, and AA5182 is the aluminium alloy that is generally used for the high alloy content of cover and draw ring.The inventive method not only provides high intensity, and suitable or lower ears or side handles of a utensil rate also is provided.

Table 3

	The embodiment of the invention			Typical case's casting ingot method
						Test 1	Test 2	Prior art	??3104	??5182
	Si	??0.30	??0.26	??0.39	??0.18						??0.10
Fe						??0.29	??0.33	??0.44	??0.45	??0.20
	Cu	??0.27	??0.20	??0.23	??0.20						??0.05
Mn						??0.95	??0.59	??0.97	??1.00	??0.35
	Mg	??0.93	??0.84	??0.96	??1.10						??4.50
The foundry goods specification, inch						??0.10	??0.09	??0.10	??26	??26
	Hot rolling	??0	??53％	??46％	??99％						??99％
Cooling						Quench	Quench	Slowly	Slowly	Slowly
	The annealing form	Hurry up	Hurry up	Hurry up	Slowly						Slowly
The annealing specification, inch						??0.031	??0.025	??0.027	??0.110	??0.110
	Annealing temperature, °F	??1075	??1000	??930	??650						??650
Final specification, inch						??0.0106	??0.0109	??0.0116	??0.0112	??0.0108
	Final strength, ksi	??51.5	??46.2	??39.8	??44.0						??58.0
Yield strength, ksi						??46.6	??41.7	??37.5	??41.0	??50.0
	Unit elongation	??8.1％	??5.3％	??1.2％	??6.0％						??8.0％
The ears or side handles of a utensil rate of cup						??N/A	??2.1％	??3.4％	??2.2％	??N/A
	Jar clasp intensity, psi	??N/A	??100.7	??78.5	??93.0						??N/A

Should be appreciated that under the prerequisite that does not exceed spirit of the present invention, under the prerequisite of particularly following claim restricted portion, can in concrete process and prescription, make various changes and improvements.

Claims (93)

1. make the jar end face of aluminum alloy container and the method for draw ring for one kind, may further comprise the steps:

(a) molten aluminium alloy is placed between a pair of metal strip that moves continuously, the strip cast aluminium alloy to be forming the strip cast raw material of heat,

(b) make the hot charge rapid quenching with prevent alloying element and separate out in a large number with the form of intermetallic compound and

(c) cold rolling quenching raw material is with the thickness of attenuate raw material.

2. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the magnesium less than 2%.

3. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the magnesium greater than 0.6% weight.

4. method as claimed in claim 1 further comprises immediately following the hot-rolled step after quenching.

5. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, each step is all carried out continuously online.

6. method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the step that makes the quenching raw material be configured as cover.

7. method as claimed in claim 1 comprises the step that makes the quenching raw material be configured as draw ring.

8. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the thickness of strip cast raw material is less than 1.0 inches.

9. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the band that moves be cooled before molten aluminum contacts.

10. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, quench cooled is former to be expected and is lower than 550 temperature.

11. method as claimed in claim 1 is included in and makes cold rolling feeds timeliness at least one hour to improve the step of raw material intensity under 300-375 the temperature.

12. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the width of strip cast raw material is less than 24 inches.

13. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the cold rolling reduced thickness 10-85% that makes raw material.

14. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

15. the cover or the draw ring of an aluminum alloy container that forms by aluminium alloy, this aluminium alloy contains less than about 2% weight magnesium, its ultimate tensile strength is at least 50,000psi, this aluminium alloy is by strip cast production, aluminium alloy forms tropical base cast raw material, and this hot charge rapid quenching is separated out in a large number to prevent alloying element, and cold rolling should the quenching raw material to reduce its thickness.

16. cover as claimed in claim 1 or draw ring, wherein, this aluminium alloy contains the magnesium greater than 0.6% weight.

17. cover as claimed in claim 1 or draw ring, wherein, raw material after cold rolling, 300-375 temperature at least timeliness one hour to improve the intensity of raw material.

18. cover as claimed in claim 1 or draw ring, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

19. one kind prepares the jar end face of aluminum alloy container and the method for draw ring raw material, may further comprise the steps:

(a) by molten aluminum is placed between a pair of metal strip that moves continuously, the strip cast aluminium alloy to be forming the strip cast raw material of heat,

(b) this hot charge rapid quenching is separated out in a large number with the form of intermetallic compound to prevent alloying element,

(c) the rapid heating raw material makes raw material annealing and realizes recrystallize, but does not cause separating out in a large number of alloying element,

(d) make this annealed raw material quench with avoid alloying element separate out in a large number and

(e) cold rolling should the quenching raw material with the thickness of attenuate raw material.

20. as the method for claim 19, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the magnesium less than 2%.

21. as the method for claim 19, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the magnesium greater than 0.6% weight.

22., comprise the hot-rolled step that is right after before quenching as the method for claim 19.

23. as the method for claim 19, wherein, each step is all carried out continuously online.

24., comprise the step that makes final raw material be configured as cover as the method for claim 19.

25., comprise the step that makes final raw material be configured as draw ring as the method for claim 19.

26. as the method for claim 19, wherein, the thickness of strip cast raw material is less than 1.0 inches.

27. as the method for claim 19, wherein, the fusion zone that moves be cooled before molten aluminum contacts.

28. as the method for claim 19, wherein, quench cooled is former to be expected and is lower than 550 temperature.

29., be included in and make cold rolling feeds timeliness at least one hour under 220-400 the temperature to improve the step of raw material intensity as the method for claim 19.

30. as the method for claim 19, wherein, the width of strip cast raw material is less than 24 inches.

31. as the method for claim 19, wherein, the cold rolling reduced thickness 10-85% that makes raw material.

32. as the method for claim 19, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

33. the cover or the draw ring raw material of an aluminum alloy container that forms by aluminium alloy, this aluminium alloy contains less than about 2% weight magnesium, its ultimate tensile strength is at least 50,000psi, produce by this aluminium alloy of strip cast, to form tropical base cast raw material, the hot charge rapid quenching is separated out in a large number to prevent alloying element, the rapid heating raw material makes raw material annealing and realizes recrystallize, but do not cause separating out in a large number of alloying element, and annealed raw material is quenched avoiding separating out in a large number of alloying element, cold rolling should the quenching raw material to reduce its thickness.

34. as the cover or the draw ring of claim 33, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the magnesium greater than 0.6% weight.

35. as the cover or the draw ring of claim 33, wherein, raw material after cold rolling, 220-400 temperature at least timeliness one hour to improve the intensity of raw material.

36. cover or draw ring as claim 33, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

37. one kind prepares the jar end face of aluminum alloy container and the method for draw ring raw material, may further comprise the steps:

(a) a kind of aluminium alloy of strip cast;

(b) the rapid heating raw material makes raw material annealing and realizes recrystallize, but does not cause separating out in a large number of alloying element;

(c) annealed raw material is quenched to avoid separating out in a large number of alloying element; With

(d) cold rolling should the quenching raw material with the thickness of attenuate raw material.

38. as the method for claim 37, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the magnesium less than 2%.

39. as the method for claim 37, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the magnesium greater than 0.6% weight.

40., be included in the hot-rolled step that is right after before the annealing as the method for claim 37.

41. as the method for claim 37, wherein, each step is all carried out continuously online.

42., comprise the step that makes final raw material be configured as cover as the method for claim 37.

43., comprise the step that makes final raw material be configured as draw ring as the method for claim 37.

44. as the method for claim 37, wherein, the thickness of strip cast raw material is less than 1.0 inches.

45. as the method for claim 37, wherein, by realizing strip cast between the metal strip that molten aluminum is placed a pair of movement continuously.

46. as the method for claim 37, wherein, quench cooled is former to be expected and is lower than 550 temperature.

47., be included in and make cold rolling feeds timeliness at least one hour under 220-400 the temperature to improve the step of raw material intensity as the method for claim 37.

48. as the method for claim 37, wherein, the width of strip cast raw material is less than 24 inches.

49. as the method for claim 37, wherein, the cold rolling reduced thickness 10-85% that makes raw material.

50. as the method for claim 37, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

51. the cover or the draw ring raw material of an aluminum alloy container that forms by aluminium alloy, this aluminium alloy contains less than about 2% weight magnesium, its ultimate tensile strength is at least 50,000psi is produced by this aluminium alloy of strip cast, to form tropical base cast raw material, the rapid heating raw material makes raw material annealing and realizes recrystallize, but do not cause separating out in a large number of alloying element, and annealed raw material quenched avoiding separating out in a large number of alloying element, cold rolling should the quenching raw material to reduce its thickness.

52. as the cover or the draw ring of claim 51, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the magnesium greater than 0.6% weight.

53. as the cover or the draw ring of claim 51, wherein, raw material after cold rolling, 220-400 temperature at least timeliness one hour to improve the intensity of raw material.

54. cover or draw ring as claim 51, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the silicon of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 0.2-1.5% weight, the magnesium of about 0.2-2% weight, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of about 0-, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

55. a method of making the aluminum alloy plate materials raw material comprises following continuous on-line steps:

(a) provide hot aluminium alloy stock and

(b) rolling raw material to be reducing its thickness, and with enough fast speed cooling raw material, avoids in fact

Separating out in a large number of sosoloid interalloy element.

56. as the method for claim 55, wherein, raw material provides by continuous made-up belt or the casting of sheet base.

57. as the method for claim 55, wherein, raw material is to form by the fused aluminium alloy is placed on the endless belt that is formed by thermally conductive material, molten metal solidify to form cast strip, when this endless belt is cooled during not with metallic contact.

58., further comprise the step of utilizing the winding press tool to form cup by cold rolled sheet as the method for claim 56 and 57.

59., comprise the step of cold rolling back spooling cold rolling feeds as the method for claim 55.

60. as the method for claim 55, wherein, aluminium alloy is the tank body raw alloy.

61. as the method for claim 55, wherein, the rolling reduced thickness 40-99% that makes raw material.

62. as the method for claim 55, wherein, the rolling of raw material is to carry out between the temperature of the solidus temperature of raw material at 200 °F.

63. as the method for claim 55, wherein, rolling cooling heat raw material is finished in less than 30 seconds.

64. as the method for claim 55, wherein, rolling cooling heat raw material is finished in less than 10 seconds.

65. method as claim 55, wherein, aluminium alloy contains the silicon of the 0-0.6% weight of having an appointment, the iron of about 0.8% weight of 0-, the copper of about 0.6% weight of 0-, the manganese of about 1.5% weight of about 0.2-, the magnesium of about 4% weight of about 0.8-, the zinc of about 0.25% weight of 0-, the chromium of 0-0.1% weight, the aluminium of equal amount and common impurity.

66. as the method for claim 55, wherein, aluminium alloy is selected from the group of AA3004, AA3104 and AA5017 composition.

67. method of making the aluminum alloy plate materials raw material, wherein, this method is undertaken by being divided into two stage continuous on-line operation, comprise, in the fs, the hot aluminum feedstock of continuously hot rolling is to reduce its thickness, hot charge is quenched to reduce its temperature, and spooling refrigerative raw material, and, in the second continuous online stage, make the coiled material uncoiling, the rapid heating raw material makes raw material annealing realizing recrystallize, and does not cause that alloying element separates out in a large number with the form of intermetallic compound, and annealed raw material is quenched to avoid alloying element to separate out fast immediately in a large number.

68. as the method for claim 67, wherein, raw material is provided by continuous made-up belt or the casting of sheet base.

69. as the method for claim 67, wherein, raw material is to form by the fused aluminium alloy is placed on the endless belt that is formed by thermally conductive material, molten metal solidify to form cast strip, when this endless belt is cooled during not with metallic contact.

70. as the method for claim 67, be included in the fs, as continuous on-line steps, cold rolling feeds after raw material quenches.

71. as the method for claim 67, wherein, aluminium alloy stock is the tank body board raw material.

72. as the method for claim 67, be included in the subordinate phase, as continuous on-line steps, cold rolling feeds immediately in annealing and after quenching.

73., further comprise the step that forms cup by cold rolled sheet as the method for claim 72.

74., be included in the step of cold rolling back spooling cold rolling feeds as the method for claim 72.

75., comprise cold rolled annealed raw material, as off-line step as the method for claim 67.

76. as the method for claim 67, wherein, hot rolling makes raw thickness attenuate 15-99%.

77. as the method for claim 67, wherein, raw material is heated to 600-1200 annealing temperature.

78. as the method for claim 67, wherein, the hot rolling of raw material is to carry out between the temperature of the solidus temperature of raw material at 300 °F.

79. as the method for claim 67, wherein, the hot rolling temperature out is 300-1000 °F.

80. as the method for claim 67, wherein, annealing was carried out less than 120 seconds.

81. as the method for claim 67, wherein, annealing was carried out less than 10 seconds.

82. as the method for claim 67, wherein, the raw material behind the attenuate is quenched into and is lower than 550 temperature.

83. as the method for claim 67, wherein, the cold rolling reduced thickness 10-85% that makes raw material.

84. method of making the aluminum alloy plate materials raw material, wherein, this method is undertaken by being divided into two stage continuous on-line operation, comprise, in the fs, continuous strip cast aluminium alloy stock between a pair of mobile endless belt, the hot aluminum feedstock of continuously hot rolling to be to reduce its thickness, and hot charge is quenched reducing its temperature, and spooling refrigerative raw material, and, in the second continuous online stage, make the coiled material uncoiling, the rapid heating raw material makes raw material annealing to realize recrystallize, and do not cause that alloying element separates out in a large number with the form of intermetallic compound, annealed raw material is quenched to avoid alloying element to separate out fast immediately in a large number.

85. as the method for claim 84, be included in the fs, as continuous on-line steps, cold rolling feeds after quenching.

86. as the method for claim 84, wherein, this aluminium alloy stock is the tank body board raw material.

87. as the method for claim 84, wherein, hot rolling makes raw thickness attenuate 15-99%.

88. as the method for claim 84, wherein, raw material is heated to 600-1200 annealing temperature.

89. as the method for claim 84, wherein, annealing was carried out less than 120 seconds.

90. method of making the aluminum alloy plate materials raw material, wherein, this method is undertaken by being divided into two stage continuous on-line operation, comprise, in the fs, continuous strip cast aluminium alloy stock is to provide hot aluminium alloy stock between a pair of mobile endless belt, raw material is quenched to reduce its temperature, and in the second continuous online stage, the rapid heating raw material makes raw material annealing to realize recrystallize, and do not cause that alloying element separates out in a large number with the form of intermetallic compound, and make annealed raw material be quenched to cold rolling temperature to separate out fast immediately in a large number to avoid alloying element.

91. as the method for claim 90, wherein, aluminium alloy stock is the tank body board raw material.

92., be included in spooling quenching raw material stage in the fs as the method for claim 90.

93., be included in the fs after the strip cast immediately online step continuously at the hot rolling aluminium alloy raw material as the method for claim 90.

Images