WO2025199299A1 - High chromium 3xxx series and 5xxx series aluminum alloys and related products - Google Patents

Abstract

Products produced with 3xxx series aluminum alloys and 5xxx series aluminum alloys having a high chromium content can have improved strength and corrosion resistance with minimal effect on ductility and earing behavior. The higher chromium content also allows for using a higher recycled content when producing said aluminum alloys. The 3xxx and 5xxx series aluminum alloys can advantageously be used for producing containers including beverage cans and food containers.

Description

HIGH CHROMIUM 3XXX SERIES AND 5XXX SERIES ALUMINUM ALLOYS AND RELATED PRODUCTS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This international application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/568,025, filed on March 21, 2024, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

[0002] The disclosure is directed to 3xxx series aluminum alloys and 5xxx series aluminum alloys with a high chromium content, related products, and related methods, where said products have improved strength and corrosion resistance with minimal effect on ductility and earing behavior.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Formability is an important mechanical property of aluminum alloy products. In some instances, a reduction of constituent particle size within the aluminum alloy microstructure aims to improve formability. At the same time, environmental concerns call for increased recycled source content within aluminum alloy products. However, increasing the recycled source content of aluminum alloy products may reduce formability of the aluminum alloy products.

[0004] One industry that may benefit from increased formability and increased recycled source content is the beverage container industry. However, the composition of aluminum alloys used within the beverage containing industry may impact the formability and recycled source content of the beverage products. For example, AA3104 alloys which contain manganese are commonly used for beverage can body stock, while aluminum alloys containing magnesium (e.g., AA5182) have been used for beverage can end stock. Different aluminum alloys may be useful for meeting the needs of different beverage container technologies. SUMMARY

[0005] Covered embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification, any or all drawings and each claim.

[0006] In an aspect, described herein are aluminum alloy products that include 3xxx series aluminum alloys and/or 5xxx aluminum series alloys.

[0007] In an aspect, an aluminum alloy product comprises: a 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprising up to 1 wt.% silicon; up to 0.8 wt.% iron; up to 0.25 wt.% copper; 0.1 wt.% to 2 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 3 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprises up to 0.6 wt.% silicon; up to 0.6 wt.% iron; 0.001 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% copper; 0.7 wt.% to 1.4 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 2.5 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum. In some examples, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprises 0.15 wt.% to 0.4 wt.% silicon; 0.3 wt.% to 0.55 wt.% iron; 0.05 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% copper; 0.7 wt.% to 0.9 wt.% manganese; 0.8 wt.% to 1.3 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.15 wt.% chromium; up to 0.15 wt.% zinc; up to 0.05 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum. In some instances, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%. In some instances, the aluminum alloy product has an alpha phase fraction percent from 40 wt.% to 70 wt.%. In some instances, the aluminum alloy product has an Ale(Mn,Fe) phase fraction percent of 55 wt.% or less. In some instances, the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher chromium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product. In some instances, the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher magnesium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product has one or more of the following properties: a yield stress of at least 385 MPa, an ultimate tensile stress of at least 425 MPa, a total elongation of 5.5% to 7.5%, a stress corrosion cracking time-to-failure of at least 28 hours, a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure of at least 0.24%, and a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure percent increase of 10% or greater. In some examples, a beverage can include a beverage can body produced from the aluminum alloy product.

[0008] In another aspect, a method of producing an aluminum alloy product comprises casting a 3xxx series aluminum alloy to form a cast aluminum alloy, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 1 wt.% silicon; up to 0.8 wt.% iron; up to 0.25 wt.% copper; 0.1 wt.% to 2 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 3 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; heating the cast aluminum alloy product; and hot rolling and, optionally cold rolling, the cast aluminum alloy to produce the aluminum alloy product, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product. Said method can, for example, further include producing a beverage can body with the aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%.

[0009] In another aspect, an aluminum alloy product comprises a 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 0.15 wt.% silicon; 0.01 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% iron; up to 1 wt.% copper; up to 1 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.1 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprises 0.01 wt.% to 0.15 wt.% silicon; 0.01 wt.% to 0.4 wt.% iron; 0.1 wt.% to 1 wt.% copper; 0.2 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% manganese; 2.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium; 0.1 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% chromium; up to 0.1 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum. In some examples, the 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprises: 0.03 wt.% to 0.1 wt.% silicon; 0.1 wt.% to 0.4 wt.% iron; 0.1 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% copper; 0.2 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% manganese; 3.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium; 0.1 wt.% to 0.2 wt.% chromium; up to 0.05 wt.% zinc; up to 0.05 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum. The 5xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product has an alpha phase fraction percent from 40 wt.% to 70 wt.%. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product has an Ak(Mn,Fe) phase fraction percent of 55 wt.% or less. In some examples, the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher chromium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher magnesium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product has a yield stress of at least 385 MPa. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product has one or more of the following properties: an ultimate tensile stress of at least 425 MPa, a total elongation of 5.5% to 7.5%, a stress corrosion cracking time-to-failure of at least 28 hours, a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure of at least 0.24%, and a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure percent increase of 10% or greater. In some examples, a beverage can include a beverage can end produced from the aluminum alloy product. [0010] In another aspect, a method of producing an aluminum alloy product, comprising casting a 5xxx series aluminum alloy to form a cast aluminum alloy, the 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 0.15 wt.% silicon; 0.01 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% iron; up to 1 wt.% copper; up to 1 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.1 wt.% zinc; up to 0. 1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; heating the cast aluminum alloy product; and hot rolling and, optionally cold rolling, the cast aluminum alloy to produce the aluminum alloy product, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the method further includes producing a beverage can body with the aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the 5xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%.

[0011] Further aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed description that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of an aluminum alloy product showing the location of a surface portion and a central portion of the product in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a plot of the electrical conductivity for four different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and examples in accordance with embodiments of the invention. [0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a plot of the matrix solute content for four different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and examples in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of the phase fraction distribution for four different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and examples in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a plot of the recrystallization behavior for four different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and examples in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 6A is an image of the cross-section of a sheet of a 5xxx series aluminum alloy having less than 0.02 wt.% chromium.

[0018] FIG. 6B is an image of the cross-section of a sheet of a 5xxx series aluminum alloy having about 0.2 wt.% chromium in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a plot of the yield strength, the ultimate tensile strength, and the total elongation for four different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and examples in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a plot of the earing behavior for four different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and examples in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates a plot of the stretch-forming capacity for four different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content.

[0022] FIG. 10A illustrates a plot of the electrochemical potential properties tested at low chloride concentration for four different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and examples in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 10B illustrates a plot of the electrochemical potential properties tested at medium chloride concentration for different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and an example in accordance with embodiments of the invention. [0024] FIG. 10C illustrates a plot of the electrochemical potential properties tested at high chloride concentration for different sheets of 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying chromium content, including a comparative example and an example in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Described herein are 3xxx series aluminum alloy products and 5xxx series aluminum alloy products with a high chromium content, which improves the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the aluminum alloys with little to no reduction in formability.

[0026] Without being limited by theory, it is believed a higher content of chromium is believed to suppress recrystallization. In some instances, suppressing recrystallization forms elongated grains (an elongated grain microstructure) in the surface portion of the aluminum alloy sheet and a recrystallized microstructure in a central portion of the aluminum alloy sheet. This gradient cross- sectional microstructure resembles a cladding structure but with a single piece of aluminum. Such a microstructure can increase the mechanical properties of the aluminum alloy product, and the elongated grain microstructure at the surface portions of the aluminum alloy product can increase corrosion resistance.

[0027] Further, the higher chromium content may allow for using a higher recycled content when producing the 3xxx series aluminum alloy products and 5xxx series aluminum alloy products. For example, by allowing for a higher chromium content, the recycled content in the aluminum alloy may increase by as much as 35 wt. % compared to similar aluminum alloys with lower chromium content. Additionally, the chromium content of the recycled material can be higher for the higher chromium content aluminum alloys described herein compared to similar aluminum alloys with lower chromium content, which broadens the source material that can be recycled.

[0028] Additionally, the higher chromium content in the 3xxx series aluminum alloy products and 5xxx series aluminum alloy products also allows for the aluminum alloys to be prepared with recycled materials and use less prime aluminum. That is, prime aluminum is used to dilute the aluminum alloy to reduce the various elements to a desired level. Because a higher chromium content is allowed, less dilution may be needed even with a higher recycled content. The production of prime aluminum is a high-energy process. Therefore, the higher chromium content in combination with recycled materials, when producing the 3xxx series aluminum alloy products and 5xxx series aluminum alloy products, reduces the energy consumption because less, if any, prime aluminum is needed. For example, the amount of prime aluminum used can be reduced by at least 5 wt.% (e.g., at least 10 wt.%) by using recycled material when producing the 3xxx series aluminum alloy products and 5xxx series aluminum alloy products of the present disclosure.

[0029] Accordingly, not only do the 3xxx series aluminum alloy products and 5xxx series aluminum alloy products of the present disclosure have a lower carbon footprint because of the high recycled content, but an additional positive effect is a much lower energy consumption compared to standard amount of energy used when low carbon prime aluminum is produced.

Definitions and Descriptions

[0030] The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used herein are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent application and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below.

[0031] As used herein, the meaning of “a,” “an,” or “the” includes singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0032] As used herein, the meaning of “metals” includes pure metals, alloys and metal solid solutions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0033] In this description, reference is made to alloys identified by aluminum industry designations, such as “series,” or “3xxx,” or “5xxx.” For an understanding of the number designation system most commonly used in naming and identifying aluminum and its alloys, see “International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys” or “Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations and Chemical Compositions Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot,” both published by The Aluminum Association.

[0034] As used herein, a plate generally has a thickness of greater than about 15 mm. For example, a plate may refer to an aluminum alloy product having a thickness of greater than 15 mm, greater than 20 mm, greater than 25 mm, greater than 30 mm, greater than 35 mm, greater than 40 mm, greater than 45 mm, greater than 50 mm, or greater than 100 mm. [0035] As used herein, a shate (also referred to as a sheet plate) generally has a thickness of from about 4 mm to about 15 mm. For example, a shate may have a thickness of 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, or 15 mm.

[0036] As used herein, a sheet generally refers to an aluminum alloy product having a thickness of less than about 4 mm. For example, a sheet may have a thickness of less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.3 mm, or less than 0.1 mm.

[0037] Reference is made in this application to alloy temper or condition. For an understanding of the alloy temper descriptions most commonly used, see “American National Standards (ANSI) H35 on Alloy and Temper Designation Systems.”

[0038] The following aluminum alloys are described in terms of their elemental composition in weight percentage (wt.%) based on the total weight of the alloy. In certain examples of each alloy, the remainder is aluminum, with a maximum wt.% of 0.3 % for the sum of the impurities.

[0039] Incidental elements, such as grain refiners and deoxidizers, or other additives may be present in the invention and may add other characteristics on their own without departing from or significantly altering the alloy described herein or the characteristics of the alloy described herein. [0040] As used herein, terms such as “cast metal product,” “cast product,” “cast aluminum alloy product,” and the like are interchangeable and refer to a product produced by direct chill casting (including direct chill co-casting) or semi-continuous casting, continuous casting (including, for example, by use of a twin belt caster, a twin roll caster, a block caster, or any other continuous caster), electromagnetic casting, hot top casting, or any other casting method.

[0041] As used herein, the meaning of “room temperature” can include a temperature of from about 15 °C to about 30 °C, for example about 15 °C, about 16 °C, about 17 °C, about 18 °C, about 19 °C, about 20 °C, about 21 °C, about 22 °C, about 23 °C, about 24 °C, about 25 °C, about 26 °C, about 27 °C, about 28 °C, about 29 °C, or about 30 °C. As used herein, the meaning of “ambient conditions” can include temperatures of about room temperature, relative humidity of from about 20% to about 100%, and barometric pressure of from about 975 millibar (mbar) to about 1050 mbar. For example, relative humidity can be about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about

24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, about 31%, about

32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about

40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43%, about 44%, about 45%, about 46%, about 47%, about 48%, about 49%, about 50%, about 51%, about 52%, about 53%, about 54%, about 55%, about

56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about

64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68%, about 69%, about 70%, about 71%, about

72%, about 73%, about 74%, about 75%, about 76%, about 77%, about 78%, about 79%, about

80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about

88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about

96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 100%, or anywhere in between. For example, barometric pressure can be about 975 mbar, about 980 mbar, about 985 mbar, about 990 mbar, about 995 mbar, about 1000 mbar, about 1005 mbar, about 1010 mbar, about 1015 mbar, about 1020 mbar, about 1025 mbar, about 1030 mbar, about 1035 mbar, about 1040 mbar, about 1045 mbar, about 1050 mbar, or anywhere in between.

[0042] All ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, e.g., 1 to 6.1, and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 to 10. Unless stated otherwise, the expression “up to” when referring to the compositional amount of an element means that element is optional and includes a zero percent composition of that particular element. Unless stated otherwise, all compositional percentages are in weight percent (wt.%).

[0043] As used herein, used beverage cans (UBC) refers to any used beverage can scrap known in the art, for example those described in the Scrap Specifications Circular (2018) published by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc., including shredded aluminum UBC scrap, densified aluminum UBC scrap, baled aluminum UBC scrap, and/or briquetted aluminum UBC scrap.

Aluminum Alloy Compositions

[0044] Aluminum alloys suitable for use in the compositions, products, and methods described herein include, but are not limited to, 3xxx series aluminum alloys and 5xxx series aluminum alloys.

[0045] Described below are 3xxx series aluminum alloys, which can, for example, have the following elemental composition as provided in Table 1. Table 1

[0046] In other examples, the 3xxx series aluminum alloys can have the following elemental composition as provided in Table 2.

Table 2

[0047] In other examples, the 3xxx series aluminum alloys can have the following elemental composition as provided in Table 3.

Table 3

[0048] Described below are 5xxx series aluminum alloys, which can, for example, have the following elemental composition as provided in Table 4.

Table 4

[0049] In other examples, the 5xxx series aluminum alloys can have the following elemental composition as provided in Table 5.

Table 5

[0050] In other examples, the 5xxx series aluminum alloys can have the following elemental composition as provided in Table 6.

Table 6

[0051] It is to be understood that, in various embodiments of the alloys described herein, including those in Tables 1-6, the predominant element is aluminum (Al), sometimes called “remainder Al.” In other words, the term “remainder” can be used to describe predominant aluminum (Al) content in the aluminum alloys described herein. [0052] In certain examples, the disclosed 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes silicon (Si) in an amount of up to about 1 % (e.g., from 0 % to 1 %, from 0.01 % to 1 %, from 0.1 % to 0.8 %, or from 0.15 % to 0.4 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.01 %, 0.03 %, 0.05 %, 0.07 %, 0.10 %, 0.13 %, 0.15 %, 0.17 %, 0.20 %, 0.23 %, 0.25 %, 0.27 %, 0.30 %, 0.33 %, 0.35 %, 0.37 %, 0.40 %, 0.43 %, 0.45 %, 0.47 %, 0.50 %, 0.53 %, 0.55 %, 0.57 %, 0.60 %, 0.63 %, 0.65 %, 0.67 %, 0.70 %, 0.73 %, 0.75 %, 0.77 %, 0.80 %, 0.83 %, 0.85 %, 0.87 %, 0.90 %, 0.93 %, 0.95 %, 0.97 %, or 1.0 % Si. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Si (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0053] In certain examples, the disclosed 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes iron (Fe) in an amount of up to about 0.8 % (e.g., from 0 % to 0.8 %, from 0.01 % to 0.8%, from 0 % to 0.6 %, from 0.1 % to 0.6 %, or from 0.3 % to 0.55 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.01 %, 0.03 %, 0.05 %, 0.07 %, 0.10 %, 0.13 %, 0.15 %, 0.17 %, 0.20 %, 0.23 %, 0.25 %, 0.27 %, 0.30 %, 0.33 %, 0.35 %, 0.37 %, 0.40 %, 0.43 %, 0.45 %, 0.47 %, 0.50 %, 0.53 %, 0.55 %, 0.57 %, 0.60 %, 0.63 %, 0.65 %, 0.67 %, 0.70 %, 0.73 %, 0.75 %, 0.77 %, or 0.80 % Fe. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Fe (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0054] In certain examples, the disclosed 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes copper (Cu) in an amount of up to about 0.25 % (e g., from 0 % to 0.25 %, from 0.001 % to 0.25 %, or from 0.05 % to 0.25 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.001 %, 0.005 %, 0.010 %, 0.015 %, 0.020 %, 0.025 %, 0.030 %, 0.035 %, 0.040 %, 0.045 %, 0.050 %,

0.055 %, 0.060 %, 0.065 %, 0.070 %, 0.075 %, 0.080 %, 0.085 %, 0.090 %, 0.095 %, 0.100 %,

0.105 %, 0.110 %, 0.115 %, 0.120 %, 0.125 %, 0.130 %, 0.135 %, 0.140 %, 0.145 %, 0.150 %,

0.155 %, 0.160 %, 0.165 %, 0.170 %, 0.175 %, 0.180 %, 0.185 %, 0.190 %, 0.195 %, 0.200 %,

0.205 %, 0.210 %, 0.215 %, 0.220 %, 0.225 %, 0.230 %, 0.235 %, 0.240 %, 0.245 %, or 0.250 % Cu. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Cu (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0055] In certain examples, the disclosed 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes manganese (Mn) in an amount from about 0.1 % to about 2 % (e.g., from 0.3 % to 1.7 %, from 0.5 % to 1.6 %, from 0.6 % to 1.5 %, from 0.7 % to 1.4 %, from 0.7 % to 1.3 %, from 0.7 % to 1.1 %, or from 0.7 % to 0.9 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.10 %, 0.15 %, 0.20 %, 0.25 %, 0.30 %, 0.35 %, 0.40 %, 0.45 %, 0.50 %, 0.55 %, 0.60 %, 0.65 %, 0.70 %,

0.75 %, 0.80 %, 0.85 %, 0.90 %, 1.00 %, 1.05 %, 1.10 %, 1.15 %, 1.20 %, 1.25 %, 1.30 %, 1.35

%, 1.40 %, 1.45 %, 1.50 %, 1.55 %, 1.60 %, 1.65 %, 1.70 %, 1.75 %, 1.80 %, 1.85 %, 1.90 %,

1.95 %, or 2.00 % Mn. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0056] In certain examples, the disclosed 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes magnesium (Mg) in an amount from about 0.5 % to about 3 % (e.g., from 0.5 % to 2.5 %, from 0.6 % to 2.0 %, from 0.7 % to 1.7 %, or from 0.8 % to 1.3 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.50 %, 0.55 %, 0.60 %, 0.65 %, 0.70 %, 0.75 %, 0.80 %, 0.85 %, 0.90 %,

1.00 %, 1.05 %, 1.10 %, 1.15 %, 1.20 %, 1.25 %, 1.30 %, 1.35 %, 1.40 %, 1.45 %, 1.50 %, 1.55 %,

1.60 %, 1.65 %, 1.70 %, 1.75 %, 1.80 %, 1.85 %, 1.90 %, 1.95 %, 2.00 %, 2.05 %, 2.10 %, 2.15

%, 2.20 %, 2.25 %, 2.30 %, 2.35 %, 2.40 %, 2.45 %, 2.50 %, 2.55 %, 2.60 %, 2.65 %, 2.70 %, 2.75 %, 2.80 %, 2.85 %, 2.90 %, 2.95 %, or 3.00 % Mg. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0057] In certain aspects, the disclosed 3xxx series aluminum alloy chromium (Cr) in an amount from about 0.05 % to about 0.3 % (e.g., from 0.05 % to 0.25 %, from 0.05 % to 0.20 %, or from 0.05 % to 0.15 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.05 %, 0.06 %, 0.07 %, 0.08 %, 0.09 %, 0.10 %, 0.11 %, 0.12 %, 0.13 %, 0.14 %, 0.15 %, 0.16

%, 0.17 %, 0.18 %, 0.19 %, 0.20 %, 0.21 %, 0.22 %, 0.23 %, 0.24 %, 0.25 %, 0.26 %, 0.27 %,

0.28 %, 0.29 %, or 0.30 % Cr. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0058] In certain examples, the disclosed 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes zinc (Zn) in an amount of up to about 0.25 % (e.g., from 0 % to 0.25 %, from 0.001 % to 0.25 %, from 0 % to 0.15 %, from 0.001 % to 0.15 %, or from 0.001 % to 0.10 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.001 %, 0.005 %, 0.010 %, 0.015 %, 0.020 %, 0.025 %,

0.030 %, 0.035 %, 0.040 %, 0.045 %, 0.050 %, 0.055 %, 0.060 %, 0.065 %, 0.070 %, 0.075 %,

0.080 %, 0.085 %, 0.090 %, 0.095 %, 0.100 %, 0.105 %, 0.110 %, 0.115 %, 0.120 %, 0.125 %,

0.130 %, 0.135 %, 0.140 %, 0.145 %, 0.150 %, 0.155 %, 0.160 %, 0.165 %, 0.170 %, 0.175 %,

0.180 %, 0.185 %, 0.190 %, 0.195 %, 0.200 %, 0.205 %, 0.210 %, 0.215 %, 0.220 %, 0.225 %,

0.230 %, 0.235 %, 0.240 %, 0.245 %, or 0.250 % Zn. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Zn (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy. [0059] In certain aspects, the disclosed 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes titanium (Ti) in an amount of up to about 0.1 % (e.g., from 0 % to 0.1 %, from 0.001 % to 0.1 %, from 0 % to

0.05 %, or from 0.001 % to 0.05 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.001 %, 0.005 %, 0.010 %, 0.015 %, 0.020 %, 0.025 %, 0.030 %, 0.035 %, 0.040 %,

0.045 %, 0.050 %, 0.055 %, 0.060 %, 0.065 %, 0.070 %, 0.075 %, 0.080 %, 0.085 %, 0.090 %,

0.095 %, or 0.100 % Ti. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Ti (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0060] In certain examples, the disclosed 5xxx series aluminum alloy includes silicon (Si) in an amount of up to about 0.15 % (e.g., from 0 % to 0.15 %, from 0.001 % to 0.15 %, from 0.01 % to 0.13 %, from 0.02 % to 0.12 %, or from 0.03 % to 0.1 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.001 %, 0.005 %, 0.010 %, 0.015 %, 0.020 %, 0.025 %, 0.030 %, 0.035 %, 0.040 %, 0.045 %, 0.050 %, 0.055 %, 0.060 %, 0.065 %, 0.070 %, 0.075 %, 0.080 %, 0.085 %, 0.090 %, 0.095 %, 0.100 %, 0.105 %, 0.110 %, 0.115 %, 0.120 %, 0.125 %, 0.130 %, 0.135 %, 0.140 %, 0.145 %, or 0.150 % Si. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Si (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0061] In certain examples, the disclosed 5xxx series aluminum alloy includes iron (Fe) in an amount from about 0.01 % to about 0.6 % (e.g., from 0.01 % to 0.5 %, from 0.01 % to 0.4 %, or from 0.1 % to 0.4 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.01 %, 0.02 %, 0.03 %, 0.04 %, 0.05 %, 0.06 %, 0.07 %, 0.08 %, 0.09 %, 0.10 %, 0.11 %, 0.12 %,

0.13 %, 0.14 %, 0.15 %, 0.16 %, 0.17 %, 0.18 %, 0.19 %, 0.20 %, 0.21 %, 0.22 %, 0.23 %, 0.24

%, 0.25 %, 0.26 %, 0.27 %, 0.28 %, 0.29 %, 0.30 %, 0.31 %, 0.32 %, 0.33 %, 0.34 %, 0.35 %,

0.36 %, 0.37 %, 0.38 %, 0.39 %, 0.40 %, 0.41 %, 0.42 %, 0.43 %, 0.44 %, 0.45 %, 0.46 %, 0.47

%, 0.48 %, 0.49 %, 0.50 %, 0.51 %, 0.52 %, 0.53 %, 0.54 %, 0.55 %, 0.56 %, 0.57 %, 0.58 %,

0.59 %, or 0.60 % Fe. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0062] In certain examples, the disclosed 5xxx series aluminum alloy includes copper (Cu) in an amount of up to about 1 % (e.g., from 0 % to 1 %, from 0.01 % to 1 %, from 0.1 % to 1 %, from 0.1 % to 0.9 %, from 0.1 % to 0.8 %, from 0.1 % to 0.7 %, or from 0.1 % to 0.6 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.01 %, 0.05 %, 0.10 %, 0.15 %, 0.20

%, 0.25 %, 0.30 %, 0.35 %, 0.40 %, 0.45 %, 0.50 %, 0.55 %, 0.60 %, 0.65 %, 0.70 %, 0.75 %, 0.80 %, 0.85 %, 0.90 %, 0.95 %, or 1 .0 % Cu. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Cu (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0063] In certain examples, the disclosed 5xxx series aluminum alloy includes manganese (Mn) in an amount of up to about 1 % (e.g., from 0 % to 1 %, from 0.01 % to 1 %, from 0.1 % to 1 %, from 0.1 % to 0.9 %, from 0.1 % to 0.8 %, from 0.2 % to 0.7 %, or from 0.2 % to 0.6 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.01 %, 0.05 %, 0.10 %,

0.15 %, 0.20 %, 0.25 %, 0.30 %, 0.35 %, 0.40 %, 0.45 %, 0.50 %, 0.55 %, 0.60 %, 0.65 %, 0.70 %,

0.75 %, 0.80 %, 0.85 %, 0.90 %, 0.95 %, or 1.0 % Mn. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Mn (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy. [0064] In certain examples, the disclosed 5xxx series aluminum alloy includes magnesium (Mg) in an amount from about 0.5 % to about 6 % (e.g., from 1 % to 6 %, from 1.5 % to 6 %, from 2 % to 6 %, from 2.5 % to 6 %, from 3 % to 6 %, or from 3.5 % to 6 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.50 %, 0.55 %, 0.60 %, 0.65 %, 0.70 %, 0.75 %,

0.80 %, 0.85 %, 0.90 %, 1.00 %, 1.05 %, 1.10 %, 1.15 %, 1.20 %, 1.25 %, 1.30 %, 1.35 %, 1.40

%, 1.45 %, 1.50 %, 1.55 %, 1.60 %, 1.65 %, 1.70 %, 1.75 %, 1.80 %, 1.85 %, 1.90 %, 1.95 %.

2.00 %, 2.05 %, 2.10 %, 2.15 %, 2.20 %, 2.25 %, 2.30 %, 2.35 %, 2.40 %, 2.45 %, 2.50 %, 2.55 %,

2.60 %, 2.65 %, 2.70 %, 2.75 %, 2.80 %, 2.85 %, 2.90 %, 2.95 %, 3.00 %, 3.05 %, 3.10 %, 3.15

%, 3.20 %, 3.25 %, 3.30 %, 3.35 %, 3.40 %, 3.45 %, 3.50 %, 3.55 %, 3.60 %, 3.65 %, 3.70 %

3.75 %, 3.80 %, 3.85 %, 3.90 %, 3.95 %, 4.00 %, 4.05 %, 4.10 %, 4.15 %, 4.20 %, 4.25 %, 4.30

%, 4.35 %, 4.40 %, 4.45 %, 4.50 %, 4.55 %, 4.60 %, 4.65 %, 4.70 %, 4.75 %, 4.80 %, 4.85 %,

4.90 %, 4.95 %, 5.00 %, 5.05 %, 5.10 %, 5.15 %, 5.20 %, 5.25 %, 5.30 %, 5.35 %, 5.40 %, 5.45

%, 5.50 %, 5.55 %, 5.60 %, 5.65 %, 5.70 %, 5.75 %, 5.80 %, 51.85 %, 5.90 %, 5.95 %, or 6.00 %

Mg. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0065] In certain aspects, the disclosed 5xxx series aluminum alloy chromium (Cr) in an amount from about 0.05 % to about 0.3 % (e.g., from 0.05 % to 0.25 %, from 0.05 % to 0.2 %, from 0.05 % to 0.15 %, from 0.1 % to 0.25 %, from 0.1 % to 0.2 %, or from 0.1 % to 0.15 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.05 %, 0.06 %, 0.07 %,

0.08 %, 0.09 %, 0.10 %, 0.11 %, 0.12 %, 0.13 %, 0.14 %, 0.15 %, 0.16 %, 0.17 %, 0.18 %, 0.19

%, 0.20 %, 0.21 %, 0.22 %, 0.23 %, 0.24 %, 0.25 %, 0.26 %, 0.27 %, 0.28 %, 0.29 %, or 0.30 %

Cr. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy. [0066] In certain examples, the disclosed 5xxx series aluminum alloy includes zinc (Zn) in an amount of up to about 0.1 % (e.g., from 0 % to 0.1 %, from 0.001 % to 0.1 %, from 0 % to 0.05 %, or from 0.001 % to 0.05 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.001 %, 0.005 %, 0.010 %, 0.015 %, 0.020 %, 0.025 %, 0.030 %, 0.035 %, 0.040 %, 0.045 %, 0.050 %, 0.055 %, 0.060 %, 0.065 %, 0.070 %, 0.075 %, 0.080 %, 0.085 %, 0.090 %, 0.095 %, or 0.100 % Zn. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Zn (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0067] In certain aspects, the disclosed 5xxx series aluminum alloy includes titanium (Ti) in an amount of up to about 0.1 % (e.g., from 0 % to 0.1 %, from 0.001 % to 0.1 %, from 0 % to 0.05 %, or from 0.001 % to 0.05 %) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the alloy can include 0.001 %, 0.005 %, 0.010 %, 0.015 %, 0.020 %, 0.025 %, 0.030 %, 0.035 %, 0.040 %, 0.045 %, 0.050 %, 0.055 %, 0.060 %, 0.065 %, 0.070 %, 0.075 %, 0.080 %, 0.085 %, 0.090 %, 0.095 %, or 0.100 % Ti. In some cases, the disclosed alloy does not include Ti (i.e., 0 %). All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0068] Optionally, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy or the 5xxx series aluminum alloy can further include other minor elements, sometimes referred to as impurities, in amounts of about 0.1 % or below, 0.09 % or below, 0.08 % or below, 0.07 % or below, 0.06 % or below, 0.05 % or below, 0.04 % or below, 0.03 % or below, 0.02 % or below, or 0.01 % or below or each of said impurities. These impurities may include, but are not limited to, zirconium (Zr), scandium (Sc), vanadium (V), nickel (Ni), yttrium (Y), hafnium (Hf), thallium (Th), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), bismuth (Bi), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), or combinations thereof. Accordingly, Zr, Sc, V, Ni, Y, Hf, Th, Ga, Sn, Pb, Bi, Sr, or Ca, if present, may each independently be present in the 3xxx series aluminum alloy or the 5xxx series aluminum alloy in amounts of 0.1 % or below, 0.09 % or below, 0.08 % or below, 0.07 % or below, 0.06 % or below, 0.05 % or below, 0.04 % or below, 0.03 % or below, 0.02 % or below, or 0.01 % or below. In certain aspects, the sum of all impurities does not exceed 0.30 % (e.g., does not exceed 0.20 %, does not exceed 0.15 %, or does not exceed 0.10 %). In certain aspect, the apply compositions may be devoid of (not comprise or comprise at 0.00 %) one or more of Zr, Sc, V, Ni, Y, Hf, Th, Ga, Sn, Pb, Bi, Sr, and Ca. All expressed in wt.% based on the total weight of the aluminum alloy.

[0069] The remaining percentage of the 3xxx series aluminum alloy or the 5xxx series aluminum alloy may be aluminum, e.g., remainder Al. [0070] Non-limiting examples of 3xxx series aluminum alloys can include AA3002, AA3102, AA3OO3, AA3103, AA3103A, AA31O3B, AA3203, AA3403, AA3004, AA3004A, AA3104, AA3204, AA3304, AA3005, AA3OO5A, AA3105, AA3105A, AA31O5B, AA3007, AA3107, AA3207, AA3207A, AA3307, AA3009, AA3010, AA3110, AA3011, AA3012, AA3012A, AA3O13, AA3014, AA3015, AA3016, AA3017, AA3019, AA3020, AA3021, AA3025, AA3026, AA3O3O, AA3130, and AA3065.

[0071] Non-limiting examples of 5xxx series alloys can include AA5182, AA5183, AA5005, AA5OO5A, AA5205, AA5305, AA5505, AA5605, AA5006, AA5106, AA5010, AA5110, AA5110A, AA5210, AA5310, AA5016, AA5017, AA5018, AA5018A, AA5019, AA5019A, AA5119, AA5119A, AA5021, AA5022, AA5023, AA5024, AA5026, AA5027, AA5028, AA5040, AA5140, AA5041, AA5042, AA5043, AA5049, AA5149, AA5249, AA5349, AA5449, AA5449A, AA5050, AA5050A, AA5050C, AA5150, AA5051, AA5051A, AA5151, AA5251, AA5251A, AA5351, AA5451, AA5052, AA5252, AA5352, AA5154, AA5154A, AA5154B, AA5154C, AA5254, AA5354, AA5454, AA5554, AA5654, AA5654A, AA5754, AA5854, AA5954, AA5056, AA5356, AA5356A, AA5456, AA5456A, AA5456B, AA5556, AA5556A, AA5556B, AA5556C, AA5257, AA5457, AA5557, AA5657, AA5058, AA5059, AA5070, AA5180, AA5180A, AA5082, AA5182, AA5083, AA5183, AA5183A, AA5283, AA5283A, AA5283B, AA5383, AA5483, AA5086, AA5186, AA5087, AA5187, and AA5088.

[0072] The 3xxx series aluminum alloys and 5xxx series aluminum alloys of the present disclosure can be fabricated from recycled content. The recycled content can include, but is broader than, used beverage cans (UBC) content. In some aspects, the aluminum alloy can contain at least about 10 wt.% recycled content (e.g., at least about 15 wt.% recycled content, at least about 20 wt.% recycled content, at least about 25 wt.% recycled content, at least about 30 wt.% recycled content, at least about 35 wt.% recycled content, at least about 40 wt.% recycled content, at least about 45 wt.% recycled content, at least about 50 wt.% recycled content, at least about 55 wt.% recycled content, or at least about 60 wt.% recycled content). In some aspects, the 3xxx series aluminum alloys and 5xxx series aluminum alloys of the present disclosure can contain at least about 5 wt.% UBC (e.g., at least about 8 wt.% UBC, at least about 10 wt.% UBC, at least about 15 wt.% UBC, at least about 20 wt.% UBC, at least about 25 wt.% UBC, at least about 30 wt.% UBC, at least about 35 wt.% UBC, at least about 40 wt.% UBC, at least about 45 wt.% UBC, at least about 50 wt.% UBC, at least about 55 wt.% UBC, or at least about 60 wt.% UBC) scrap as used herein is collected metal from used beverage cans and similar products that can be recycled for use in further metal products. Aluminum UBC scrap is often a mixture of various aluminum alloys (e.g., from different alloys used for can bodies and can ends) and can often include foreign substances, such as rainwater, drink remainders, organic matter (e.g., paints and laminated fdms), and other materials. UBC scrap generally contains a mixture of metal from various alloys, such as metal from can bodies (e.g., AA3104, AA3004, or other 3xxx series aluminum alloy) and can ends (e.g., AA5182 or other 5xxx series aluminum alloy). UBC scrap can be shredded and decoated or delacquered prior to being melted for use as liquid metal stock in casting a new metal product.

Methods of Preparing Aluminum Alloy Products

[0073] The aluminum alloys described above can be cast into a cast product. The alloys can be cast using any casting process performed according to standards commonly used in the aluminum industry as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the alloys may be cast using a continuous casting (CC) process that may include, but is not limited to, the use of twin belt casters, twin roll casters, orblock casters. In some examples, the casting process is performed by a CC process to form a cast product such as a billet, slab, shate, sheet, strip, or the like. In some examples, the casting process is performed by a Direct Chill (DC) casting process to form a cast product such as an ingot. In some examples, the casting process is performed by strip casting. The cast product can then be subjected to further processing steps. Such processing steps include, but are not limited to, a heating step, a hot rolling step, a cold rolling step, and/or an annealing step. Optionally, the heating step can include homogenizing the cast aluminum alloy. Optionally, the sheet can be further processed using a degreasing step, a levelling step, and/or a lubricating step.

[0074] Advantageously at least 10 wt.% of the material used to produce the cast product can be recycled material. In some aspects, the aluminum alloy can contain at least about 10 wt.% recycled content (e.g., at least about 15 wt.% recycled content, at least about 20 wt.% recycled content, at least about 25 wt.% recycled content, at least about 30 wt.% recycled content, at least about 35 wt.% recycled content, at least about 40 wt.% recycled content, at least about 45 wt.% recycled content, at least about 50 wt.% recycled content, at least about 55 wt.% recycled content, or at least about 60 wt.% recycled content). A higher recycled content reduces the amount of prime aluminum alloy used in the casting process, which reduces the cost of the casting process.

[0075] Heating [0076] The heating step can include heating a cast aluminum alloy product, such as an ingot, prepared from an aluminum alloy composition described herein to attain a peak metal temperature (PMT) of about, or at least about, 450 °C (e.g., at least about 460 °C, at least about 470 °C, at least about 480 °C, at least about 490 °C, at least about 500 °C, at least about 510 °C, at least about 520 °C, at least about 530 °C, at least about 540 °C, at least about 550 °C, at least about 560 °C, at least about 570 °C, or at least about 580 °C). For example, the cast aluminum alloy product can be heated to a temperature of from about 450 °C to about 600 °C, from about 460 °C to about 575 °C, from about 470 °C to about 570 °C, from about 480 °C to about 565 °C, from about 490 °C to about 555 °C, from about 500 °C to about 550 °C, or from about 525 °C to about 600 °C. In some cases, the heating rate to the PMT can be about 100 °C/hour or less, 75 °C/hour or less, 50 °C/hour or less, 40 °C/hour or less, 30 °C/hour or less, 25 °C/hour or less, 20 °C/hour or less, or 15 °C/hour or less. In other cases, the heating rate to the PMT can be from about 10 °C/min to about 100 °C/min (e.g., from about 10 °C/min to about 90 °C/min, from about 10 °C/min to about 70 °C/min, from about 10 °C/min to about 60 °C/min, from about 20 °C/min to about 90 °C/min, from about 30 °C/min to about 80 °C/min, from about 40 °C/min to about 70 °C/min, or from about 50 °C/min to about 60 °C/min).

[0077] In some cases, the heating step includes homogenizing the cast aluminum alloy where the cast aluminum alloy product is allowed to soak (i.e., held at the indicated temperature) for a period of time. In some cases, the cast aluminum alloy product is allowed to soak for at least 30 minutes at a peak metal temperature as described above. According to one non-limiting example, the cast aluminum alloy product is allowed to soak for up to about 36 hours (e.g., from about 30 minutes to about 36 hours, inclusively). For example, the cast aluminum alloy product can be soaked at the peak metal temperature for 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 13 hours, 14 hours, 15 hours, 16 hours, 17 hours, 18 hours, 19 hours, 20 hours, 21 hours, 22 hours, 23 hours, 24 hours, 25 hours, 26 hours, 27 hours, 28 hours, 29 hours, 30 hours, 31 hours, 32 hours, 33 hours, 34 hours, 35 hours, 36 hours, or anywhere in between.

[0078] Hot Rolling and Cold Rolling

[0079] Following the homogenization step, a hot rolling step can be performed. The hot rolling step can include a hot reversing mill operation and/or a hot tandem mill operation. The hot rolling step can be performed at a temperature ranging from about 250 °C to about 550 °C (e.g., from 300 °C to 400 °C or from 350 °C to 500 °C). The target entry hot roll temperature may be from about 250 °C to about 550 °C (e.g., from 450 °C to 540 °C). For example, the hot rolling step can be performed at a temperature of about 250 °C, 260 °C, 270 °C, 280 °C, 290 °C, 300 °C, 310 °C, 320 °C, 330 °C, 340 °C, 350 °C, 360 °C, 370 °C, 380 °C, 390 °C, 400 °C, 410 °C, 420 °C, 430 °C, 440 °C, 450 °C, 460 °C, 470 °C, 480 °C, 490 °C, or 500 °C. The entry hot roll temperature can be 450 °C, 455 °C, 460 °C, 465 °C, 470 °C, 475 °C, 480 °C, 485 °C, 490 °C, 495 °C, 500 °C, 505 °C, 510 °C, 515 °C, 520 °C, 525 °C, 530 °C, 535 °C, 540 °C, 545 °C, or 550 °C. The target exit hot roll temperature may be from about 200 °C to about 400 °C. For example, the exit hot roll temperature can be about 200 °C, 205 °C, 210 °C, 215 °C, 220 °C, 225 °C, 230 °C, 235 °C, 240 °C, 245 °C, 250 °C, 255 °C, 260 °C, 265 °C, 270 °C, 275 °C, 280 °C, 285 °C, 290 °C, 295 °C, 300 °C, 305 °C, 310 °C, 315 °C, 320 °C, 325 °C, 330 °C, 335 °C, 340 °C, 345 °C, 350 °C, 355 °C, 360 °C, 365 °C, 370 °C, 375 °C, 380 °C, 385 °C, 390 °C, 395 °C, or 400 °C.

[0080] After the hot rolling step, the process can optionally include a cold rolling step.

[0081] The rolled aluminum alloy product (e.g., after hot rolling or after hot rolling then cold rolling) can have a thickness of less than about 4 mm. In some examples, a rolled aluminum alloy product can have a thickness (or gauge) of less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.9 mm, less than 0.8 mm, less than 0.7 mm, less than 0.6 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.4 mm, less than 0.3 mm, less than 0.2 mm, or less than 0.1 mm. Optionally, the rolled aluminum alloy product thickness can be less than about 240 pm (e.g., from about 170 pm to less than about 240 pm, from about 180 pm to about 230 pm, or from about 190 pm to about 220 pm). For example, the sheet can have a gauge of about 170 pm, 175 pm, 180 pm, 185 pm, 190 pm, 195 pm, 200 pm, 205 pm, 210 pm, 215 pm, 220 pm, 225 pm, 230 pm, 235 pm, or 240 pm.

[0082] Rolled aluminum alloy products (e.g., sheets and/or strips) produced with the 3xxx series aluminum alloys described herein can be used as can body stock. Rolled aluminum alloy products (e.g., sheets and/or strips) produced with the 5xxx series aluminum alloys described herein can be used as can end stock.

[0083] Heat Treating

[0084] The processes described herein can optionally include heat treating (or tempering) the rolled aluminum alloy product to a desired temper (e.g., O temper). For example, the heat treating step can be performed at a temperature of about 300 °C or greater (e.g., 300 °C or greater, 325 °C or greater, 350 °C or greater, 385 °C or greater, 300 °C to 450 °C, 325 °C to 425 °C, or 385 °C to 410 °C). The heat treating step can be performed at a temperature of about 300 °C, 310 °C, 320 °C, 330 °C, 340 °C, 350 °C, 360 °C, 370 °C, 380 °C, 390 °C, 400 °C, 410 °C, 420 °C, 430 °C, 440 °C, 450 °C, or anywhere in between. The rolled aluminum alloy product can be held at the heat treating temperature for up to about 6 hours (e.g., from about 15 minutes to about 6 hours, inclusively). For example, the cast aluminum alloy product can be soaked at the peak metal temperature for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, or anywhere in between.

[0085] The heat treating process can be a two-step process with a first step being a shorter, higher-temperature process as compared to the second step. The first step can be at a first temperature of about 300 °C or greater (e.g., 300 °C or greater, 325 °C or greater, 350 °C or greater, 385 °C or greater, 300 °C to 450 °C, 325 °C to 425 °C, or 385 °C to 410 °C). The first step can be performed at a first temperature of about 300 °C, 310 °C, 320 °C, 330 °C, 340 °C, 350 °C, 360 °C, 370 °C, 380 °C, 390 °C, 400 °C, 410 °C, 420 °C, 430 °C, 440 °C, 450 °C, or anywhere in between. The first step can be held at the first temperature for up to about 3 hours (e.g., from about 15 minutes to about 3 hours, inclusively). For example, the cast aluminum alloy product can be soaked at the peak metal temperature for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, or anywhere in between. The second step can be at a second temperature of about 100 °C or greater (e.g., 125 °C or greater, 150 °C or greater, 175 °C or greater, 100 °C to 300 °C, 100 °C to 250 °C, or 100 °C to 200 °C). The second step can be performed at a second temperature of about 100 °C, 110 °C, 120 °C, 130 °C, 140 °C, 150 °C, 160 °C, 170 °C, 180 °C, 190 °C, 200 °C, 210 °C, 220 °C, 230 °C, 240 °C, 250 °C, 260 °C, 270 °C, 280 °C, 290 °C, 300 °C, or anywhere in between. The second step can be held at the second temperature for up to about 72 hours (e.g., from about 1 hour to about 72 hours, inclusively). For example, the second step can be held at the second temperature for 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours, 30 hours, 36 hours, 42 hours, 48 hours, 54 hours, 60 hours, 66 hours, 72 hours, or anywhere in between.

[0086] Degreasing

[0087] The processes described herein can optionally include at least one degreasing step applied to the aluminum alloy product. The term “degreasing,” as used herein, includes processing the aluminum alloy product to remove residual oil accumulated on the surface from the hot rolling and cold rolling processes. The degreasing step can also remove residual surface debris, rolling oil, and aluminum fines from the rolling processes. The degreased surface gives an improved surface appearance to the can body and reduces the build-up of fines during the cupping process. The degreasing agent for use in the degreasing step can include water and/or solvents. Optionally, the water for use in the degreasing step can be hot water (i.e., water having a temperature of at least about 35 °C, such as from about 35 °C to about 100 °C). In some cases, the degreasing agents can include acidic or alkaline agents. For example, suitable acidic agents for use in the degreasing step include phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, or a mixture of these. In some cases, the degreasing agent can include a wetting agent. Optionally, the degreasing agent can be used in combination with electrochemical cleaning. In certain cases, the level of degreasing is controlled by the concentration of the agents, current density, degreasing time, and/or temperature in the degreasing section. After degreasing, the strip may be rinsed with water and dried prior to lubrication.

[0088] Levelling

[0089] The process described herein can include at least one levelling step applied to the aluminum alloy product. The term “levelling,” as used herein, includes processing the aluminum alloy product to remove residual rolling stresses, thus generating an aluminum alloy product that is tension-levelled. The levelling step can also eliminate uneven areas resulting from the residual stresses from the rolling processes. By eliminating uneven areas of the aluminum alloy product, the cupping presses can run at increased operating speeds and throughput, thus resulting in higher productivity. The isotropic surface texture of the aluminum alloy product reduces cracked domes and reduces tear-offs and bleed-through and looper lines during the cupping and bodymaker processes. Any suitable levelling process can be used, including tension-levelling, stretchlevelling, roller-levelling, and/or thermal-levelling. Not wishing to be bound by theory, mechanical levelling such as tension-, stretch-, and roller-levelling processes can extend certain ligaments in the strip, and thermal-levelling processes can allow dislocations within the strip to relax and deform to eliminate stress differences within the strip, thereby ensuring lower residual stresses in the sheet and an improved strip shape, i.e., flatness. In addition, the level of distortion in the remaining portions of the sheet, e.g., after blanking the cups on the cupping press, is greatly reduced.

[0090] In some examples, the strip may be heated to a peak metal temperature of about 170 °C to about 280 °C (e.g., from about 200 °C to about 240 °C) for a period of about 5 seconds to about 15 seconds to thermally-level the strip. For example, the peak metal temperature for thermally- levelling the strip can be about 170 °C, 171 °C, 172 °C, 173 °C, 174 °C, 175 °C, 176 °C, 177 °C, 178 °C, 179 °C, 180 °C, 181 °C, 182 °C, 183 °C, 184 °C, 185 °C, 186 °C, 187 °C, 188 °C, 189

°C, 190 °C, 191 °C, 192 °C, 193 °C, 194 °C, 195 °C, 196 °C, 197 °C, 198 °C, 199 °C, 200 °C, 201

°C, 202 °C, 203 °C, 204 °C, 205 °C, 206 °C, 207 °C, 208 °C, 209 °C, 210 °C, 211 °C, 212 °C, 213

C, 214 °C, 215 °C, 216 °C, 217 °C, 218 °C, 219 °C, 220 °C, 221 °C, 222 °C, 223 °C, 224 °C, 225

°C, 226 °C, 227 °C, 228 °C, 229 °C, 230 °C, 231 °C, 232 °C, 233 °C, 234 °C, 235 °C, 236 °C, 237

°C, 238 °C, 239 °C, 240 °C, 241 °C, 242 °C, 243 °C, 244 °C, 245 °C, 246 °C, 247 °C, 248 °C, 249

°C, 250 °C, 251 °C, 252 °C, 253 °C, 254 °C, 255 °C, 256 °C, 257 °C, 258 °C, 259 °C, 260 °C, 261

°C, 262 °C, 263 °C, 264 °C, 265 °C, 266 °C, 267 °C, 268 °C, 269 °C, 270 °C, 271 °C, 272 °C, 273

°C, 274 °C, 275 °C, 276 °C, 277 °C, 278 °C, 279 °C, or 280 °C. The thermally-levelling process time can be, for example, about 5 seconds, 6 seconds, 7 seconds, 8 seconds, 9 seconds, 10 seconds, 11 seconds, 12 seconds, 13 seconds, 14 seconds, or 15 seconds. The strip may be cooled to ambient temperature after the levelling process. The line speed can be adjusted to impact the levelling process. In some examples, the line speed may about 100 m/min to about 300 m/min (e.g., from about 150 m/min to about 200 m/min). For example, the line speed for levelling can be about 100 m/min, 105 m/min, 110 m/min, 115 m/min, 120 m/min, 125 m/min, 130 m/min, 135 m/min, 140 m/min, 145 m/min, 150 m/min, 155 m/min, 160 m/min, 165 m/min, 170 m/min, 175 m/min, 180 m/min, 185 m/min, 190 m/min, 195 m/min, 200 m/min, 205 m/min, 210 m/min, 215 m/min, 220 m/min, 225 m/min, 230 m/min, 235 m/min, 240 m/min, 245 m/min, 250 m/min, 255 m/min, 260 m/min, 265 m/min, 270 m/min, 275 m/min, 280 m/min, 285 m/min, 290 m/min, 295 m/min, or 300 m/min. In some examples, the levelled product is substantially free of residual rolling stresses. As used herein, the term “substantially free of residual rolling stresses” means that the aluminum alloy products can have an Lvalue of about 50 or less (e.g., about 45 or less, about 40 or less, about 35 or less, about 30 or less, about 25 or less, about 20 or less, about 15 or less, about 10 or less, or about 5 or less). The low level of residual rolling stresses facilitates press feeding and remaining material (web) ejection processes.

[0091] Lubricating

[0092] The process described herein can optionally include at least one lubricating step applied to the aluminum alloy product. The term “lubricating,” as used herein, includes processing the aluminum alloy product to apply a lubricant for subsequent cupping production. Optionally, the lubricant applied can be a dry fdm lubricant. In some cases, the lubricant can be applied uniformly. In some cases, a preferred level of lubrication is within the range of 200 to 1000 mg/m²/side of the product (e.g., from about 200 mg/m²/side to about 1000 mg/m²/side or from about 500 mg/m²/side to about 800 mg/m²/side). In some cases, the lubricating step eliminates the need for the use of additional lubricant during downstream processing (e.g., during the cupping process). In some cases, a post-lubricant may be applied to one or both surfaces to help inhibit corrosion related to moisture in the atmosphere and fretting corrosion due to interlap movement (e.g., caused by the overlapping layers of the aluminum alloy product as coiled) during transportation and unwinding. The post-lubricant may be applied to one or both surfaces in an amount of from about 5 mg/m²/side to about 100 mg/m²/side (e.g., from about 10 mg/m²/side to about 25 mg/m²/side or from about 20 mg/m²/side to about 50 mg/m²/side). In some cases, the post-lubricant can include one or more of dibutyl adipate, dibutyl sebacate, dihexyl adipate, dihexyl sebacate, dicyclohexyl adipate, dicyclohexyl sebacate, dioctyl adipate, dioctyl sebacate, diisodecyl adipate, diisodecyl sebacate, diundecyl adipate, diundecyl sebacate, didodecanyl adipate, didodecanyl sebacate, diphenyl sebacate, or diphenyl adipate.

Product Microstructure and Properties

[0093] A fraction percent of an alpha phase in an aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can range from about 40 wt.% to about 70 wt.% (e g., from 45 wt.% to 70 wt.% or from 45 wt.% to 65 wt.%). The fraction percent of the alpha phase in an aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can be about 40 wt.%, 45 wt.%, 50 wt.%, 55 wt.%, 60 wt.%, 65 wt.%, 70 wt.%, or anywhere in between.

[0094] A fraction percent of an Ale(Mn,Fe) phase in an aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can be about 55 wt.% or less (e.g., 50 wt.% or less, 45 wt.% or less, 40 wt.% or less, from 30 wt.% to 55 wt.%, or from 30 wt.% to 50 wt.%). The fraction percent of the Ale(Mn,Fe) phase in an aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can be about 30 wt.%, 35 wt.%, 40 wt.%, 45 wt.%, 50 wt.%, 55 wt.%, or anywhere in between.

[0095] An aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can be characterized by the microstructure across the cross-section (or across the thickness) of the product. For example, the microstructure may change along the cross-section, which is referred to herein as a gradient microstructure or a gradient cross-section. The term gradient indicates that there is a change but not the manner of the change. That is, the change may include one or more step changes and/or one or more gradual and continuous changes.

[0096] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a gradient cross-section where one or more characteristics of the microstructure are different at a surface portion than a central portion of the product (FIG. 1). As used herein, the surface portion is the 20% of the thickness from the surface towards the center of the product. As used herein the central portion is the central 20% of the thickness of the crosssection of the product. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that chromium forms or facilitates the formation of fine dispersoids that delay new grain formation (or recrystallization). Further, a gradient in the size and number of said dispersoids across the cross-section may contribute to the gradient cross-section.

[0097] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a higher content of chromium in the surface portion as compared to the central portion. The chromium content at the surface portion of the product can be at least about 0.02 wt.% (e.g., at least 0.03 wt.%, at least 0.04 wt.%, at least 0.05 wt.%, from 0.02 wt.% to 0.12 wt.%, from 0.03 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%, or 0.04 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%) greater than the chromium content at the central portion of the product.

[0098] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a higher content of magnesium in the surface portion as compared to the central portion. The magnesium content at the surface portion of the product can be at least about 0.05 wt.% (e.g., at least 0.07 wt.%, at least 0.1 wt.%, from 0.05 wt.% to 0.5 wt.%, from 0.07 wt.% to 0.5 wt.%, or 0.1 wt.% to 0.5 wt.%) greater than the magnesium content at the central portion of the product.

[0099] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have elongated grain microstructure at the surface portion and a recrystallized microstructure at the central portion of the product. Said elongated grain microstructure may preferably have an average length of about 10 pm to about 20 pm along the centerline. However, shorter and longer average length may be produced.

[0100] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a yield stress of at least about 385 MPa (e.g., at least 390 MPa, at least 395 MPa, from 385 MPa to 425 MPa, or from 390 MPa to 420 MPa). A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a yield stress of 385 MPa, 390 MPa, 395 MPa, 400 MPa, 405 MPa, 410 MPa, 415 MPa, 420 MPa, 425 MPa, or anywhere in between.

[0101] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have an ultimate tensile stress of at least about 425 MPa (e.g., at least 430 MPa, at least 435 MPa, from 425 MPa to 475 MPa, or from 430 MPa to 460 MPa). A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have an ultimate tensile stress of 425 MPa, 430 MPa, 435 MPa, 440 MPa, 445 MPa, 450 MPa, 455 MPa, 460 MPa, 465 MPa, 470 MPa, 475 MPa, or anywhere in between.

[0102] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a total elongation ranging from about 5.5% to about 7.5% (e.g., from 5.5% to 7.2% or from 5.8% to 7%). A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a total elongation of 5.5%, 5.6%, 5.7%, 5.8%, 5.9%, 6.0%, 6.1%, 6.2%, 6.3%, 6.4%, 6.5%, 6.6%, 6.7%, 6.8%, 6.9%, 7.0%, or anywhere in between.

[0103] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can exhibit good earing property, which is a complex function of microstructure and process interactions, and good mechanical properties, even when down-gauged (e.g., thinner). For example, the products may exhibit less than 2.0% earing in O temper. In certain examples, the aluminum alloy products exhibit less than 1.5% earing in O temper. For example, the aluminum alloy products can exhibit less than 2.0%, less than 1.9%, less than 1.8%, less than 1.7%, less than 1.6%, less than 1.5%, less than 1.4%, less than 1.3%, less than 1.2%, less than 1.1%, less than 1.0%, less than 0.9%, less than 0.8%, less than 0.7%, less than 0.6%, less than 0.5 earing, less than 0.4% earing, less than 0.3% earing, less than 0.2% earing, or less than 0.1% earing.

[0104] A property of an aluminum alloy product described herein may be characterized relative to a no-Cr corresponding aluminum alloy product. A no-Cr corresponding aluminum alloy product refers to an aluminum alloy product having the same composition as the aluminum alloy product described herein but with less than 0.02 wt.% chromium. For example, for an aluminum alloy product having a composition of 0.05 wt.% Si, 0.3 wt.% Fe, 0.4 wt.% Cu, 0.4 wt.% Mn, 4 wt.% Mg, 0.2 wt.% Cr, and up to 0.3 wt.%. impurities with remainder Al, the no-Cr corresponding aluminum alloy product has a composition of 0.05 wt.% Si, 0.3 wt.% Fe, 0.4 wt.% Cu, 0.4 wt.% Mn, 4 wt.% Mg, less than 0.02 wt.% Cr, and up to 0.3 wt.%. impurities with remainder Al.

[0105] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have an electrical conductivity of at least about 1 ms/m (e.g., at least 1.1 ms/m, at least 1.2 ms/m, at least 1.3 ms/m, from 1 ms/m to 2 ms/m, or 1.2 ms/m to 1.8 ms/m) less than the no-Cr corresponding aluminum alloy product. A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have an electrical conductivity of about 1 ms/m, 1.1 ms/m, 1.2 ms/m, 1.3 ms/m, 1.4 ms/m, 1.5 ms/m, 1.6 ms/m, 1.7 ms/m, 1.8 ms/m, 1.9 ms/m, 2 ms/m, or anywhere in between less than the no-Cr corresponding aluminum alloy product.

[0106] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a stress corrosion cracking (SCC) time-to-failure (SSRT in 3.5 wt.% NaCl at pH 3) of at least about 28 hours (e.g., at least 30 hours, at least 32 hours, from 28 hours to 40 hours, or from 30 hours to 37 hours). A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a SCC time-to-failure (SSRT in 3.5 wt.% NaCl at pH 3) of about 28 hours, 29 hours, 30 hours, 31 hours, 32 hours, 33 hours, 34 hours, 35 hours, 36 hours, 37 hours, 38 hours, 39 hours, 40 hours, or anywhere in between.

[0107] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a SCC strain-to-failure (SSRT in 3.5 wt.% NaCl at pH 3) of at least about 0.24% (e.g., at least 0.25%, at least 0.26%, from 0.24% to 0.35%, or from 0.25% to 0.32%). A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a SCC strain-to-failure (SSRT in 3.5 wt.% NaCl at pH 3) of about 0.24%, 0.25%, 0.26%, 0.27%, 0.28%, 0.29%, 0.30%, 0.31%, 0.32%, 0.33%, 0.34%, 0.35%, or anywhere in between.

[0108] A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a SCC strain-to-failure percent increase (SSRT comparing air to 3.5 wt.% NaCl at pH 3) of about 10% or greater (e.g., 15% or greater, 20% or greater, 25% or greater, from 10% to 60%, from 10% to 40%, from 25% to 50%, or from 40% to 60%). A 3xxx series aluminum alloy product and a 5xxx series aluminum alloy product of the present disclosure can have a SCC strain-to-failure percent increase (SSRT in 3.5 wt.% NaCl at pH 3) of about 10%, 12%, 15%, 17%, 20%, 22%, 25%, 27%, 30%, 32%, 35%, 37%, 40%, 42%, 45%, 47%, 50%, 52%, 55%, 57%, 60%, or anywhere in between. For example, with a strain-to-failure (3.5% NaCl at pH 3) of 0.203% for 0 wt% chromium content and 0.298% for 0.2 wt% chromium content, results in a SCC strain-to-failure percent increase of about 47%.

Uses and Applications

[0109] The aluminum alloy products and methods described herein can be used for preparing beverage cans, food containers, or any other desired application. In some non-limiting examples, the aluminum alloy container can have any suitable body shape, including a cylinder, a cube, a cuboid, a sphere, a cone, a tetrahedron, a pyramid, any other suitable three-dimensional (3-D) shape, or any combination thereof.

[0110] In some examples, the aluminum alloy products and methods can be used to prepare beverage can bodies. The aluminum alloy products as described herein can be used in downstream processing, such as in a cupping process. The aluminum alloy products as described above can be moved in a cupping process without using pinch rollers. In particular, rotating a magnet adjacent to the aluminum product produces an induced current and magnetic field, causing the aluminum product to move along the generated magnetic field. The induced current and magnetic field can be particularly useful in a rapid production line, such as in a beverage can production line. In some cases, the magnet can be placed in front of a cupping machine, and the magnet can be pulsed to move the aluminum alloy product forward. This method of moving the aluminum alloy product is referred to as the Lenz effect. By utilizing the Lenz effect, the aluminum alloy product (e.g., sheet or can preforms prepared from a sheet) can be advanced along the production line without the use of pinch rollers that compress the product and can potentially scratch the product surface or cause surface deformations that are undesirable in a finished beverage can.

[OHl] In some non-limiting examples, the end closure described herein is an aluminum can end stock (CES) product. For example, the closure for the container body can be a disc (e g., to seal a cylinder), a square (e.g., to seal a cube), a rectangle (e.g., to seal a cuboid), a hemisphere (e.g., to seal a sphere), a cone top (e.g., to seal a cone), a tetrahedron top (e.g., to seal a tetrahedron), a pyramid top (e.g., to seal a pyramid), any suitable closure that is complementary to a body (e.g., a closure that completes the shape of the body when joined together), or any combination thereof. CES as used herein refers to an aluminum alloy formed to a shape to serve as a closure for an aluminum can. In some cases, the closure may include a scored orifice that can be broken by a consumer to form an opening in the can end to retrieve any product stored within the can. In some non-limiting examples, the end closure can be an easy open closure (e.g., a ring pull closure), a peel off closure (e.g., a thin foil closure), a beverage closure or seam (e.g., a double seam), a penny lever closure (e.g., a drum closure, or a paint can closure), a sanitary closure (e.g., a closure opened by cutting with, for example, a can opener), an aerosol valve cap closure, a ring pull closure, any suitable container end closure, or any combination thereof. In some cases, the closure can be a resealable closure. For example, the resealable closure can be a threaded closure (e.g., a twist-off cap), a bottle rolled-on pilfer proof closure, a clamp closure, a hinged closure, a snap-on closure, or any combination thereof.

[0112] The container can be a beverage can (e.g., a soda can, a water can, an alcoholic beverage can, any pressurized beverage can, or any non-pressurized beverage can), a glass bottle (e.g., a water bottle, a soda bottle, an alcoholic beverage bottle, a chemical storage bottle, or the like), a food storage can (e.g., a canned vegetable can, a canned meat can, a sardine can, a pet food can, or an emergency provisions can), an aerosol can (e.g., a cooking spray can, a hairspray can, a lubricant can, or a whipped product can), a chemical storage can (e.g., a weak acid storage can, a weak base storage can, a solvent storage can, or any chemical suitable for use with a polymer fdm liner, such as a chemical that does not degrade the polymer fdm), any suitable metal container, or any combination thereof.

[0113] Reference has been made in detail to various examples of the disclosed subject matter, one or more examples of which were set forth above. Each example was provided by way of explanation of the subject matter, not limitation thereof. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the present subject matter without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

[0114] Test Methods

[0115] The electrical conductivity can be measured according to ASTM E1004.

[0116] The matrix solute content can be measured by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) analysis on the aluminum matrix.

[0117] The phase fractions can be measured by SEM with statistical analysis of more than 5,000 particles. [0118] The recrystallization degree (reported as a volume fraction of recrystallized grains relative to the total volume) can be measured by visual inspection by light optical microscope (OM) or SEM EBSD of the cross-section of the heat treated samples. Herein, the volume fraction of recrystallized grains was measured for samples that were heat treated at between 200°C and 350°C at every 10°C interval.

[0119] The tensile strength and ultimate tensile strength can be measured according to ASTM B557.

[0120] The total elongation can be measured according to ASTM B557.

[0121] The earing can be measured using Huxley Bertram earing measurement equipment at room temperature. The mean earing of cup heights is calculated according to the following equation.

(avg. peak height — avg. valley height) mean earing (%) = - - - - - - - ave. valley height

[0122] The stress corrosion cracking can be measured using slow strain rate testing. Die punched samples with a length of 3.25 inches and a width of 0.5 inches are strained at about 2.5 x 10 "⁶ s'¹ in ambient and artificially simulated corrosive conditions using an Instron 4202.

[0123] The following examples will serve to further illustrate the present invention without, at the same time, however, constituting any limitation thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. During the studies described in the following examples, conventional procedures were followed, unless otherwise stated. Some of the procedures are described below for illustrative purposes.

EXAMPLES

[0124] Four 5xxx series aluminum alloys with varying amounts of chromium were prepared. The compositions of said alloys are provided in Table 7. Four 5xxx series aluminum alloys were used to produce aluminum alloy sheet having a thickness of about 0.2 mm.

Table 7

[0125] A variety of properties were analyzed for the different samples. The electrical conductivity (FIG. 2) illustrates that the electrical conductivity of the 5xxx series aluminum alloy sheets decreases with increasing chromium content, which indicates that the chromium is present as a solid solution in the aluminum matrix.

[0126] The matrix solute content (FIG. 3) was measured for magnesium and chromium at the center (CTR) of a cross-section of the sheet and at the surface (SUR) of the sheet. The chromium level in the aluminum matrix increases with increasing chromium content. Therefore, the chromium in the matrix or dispersoids may affect the recrystallization behavior of the 5xxx series aluminum alloy. Further, Sample 4 has a higher amount of chromium at the surface compared to the center of the sheet.

[0127] The phase fraction distribution (FIG. 4) illustrates that, with increasing chromium content, the alpha phase fraction increases at the expense of the Ale(Mn,Fe) phase fraction.

[0128] The recrystallization behavior of each alloy (FIG. 5) was compared at a variety of different temperatures between 200 °C and 350 °C. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a plot of the recrystallization behavior measured at 270 °C, 275 °C, 300 °C, and 320 °C. The data points for Sample 1 along each temperature plot are furthest left (lower temperature) and the data points for Sample 4 each temperature plot are furthest right (higher temperature), with the intermediate chromium content therebetween. Therefore, increasing the chromium content in the aluminum alloy delays the recrystallization in spite of the same recrystallization starting temperature. [0129] Images of cross-section of Sample 1 (FIG. 6A) and Sample 4 (FIG. 6B) show the grain structure after recrystallization associated with a heat treatment at 350 °C for 1 hour. Said heat treatment mimics natural recrystallization that occurs when preparing aluminum sheets on an industrial scale. The images show a full cross-section so that surface effects are visible. For Sample 4, the higher content of chromium formed a gradient microstructure across the cross-section of the aluminum alloy sheet. More specifically, the higher content of chromium suppressed recrystallization and formed elongated grains (an elongated grain microstructure) in the surface portion of the aluminum alloy sheet and a recrystallized microstructure in a central portion of the aluminum alloy sheet. In contrast, Sample 1 shows homogeneous or near homogeneous recrystallized microstructure across the cross-section of the aluminum alloy sheet. Advantageously, elongated grains increase corrosion resistance and increase strength. The gradient microstructure of Sample 4 may account for the higher alpha phase content illustrated in FIG. 4. [0130] The tensile properties, specifically yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and total elongation (El. %) (FIG. 7), illustrate that increasing the content of chromium increases the strength with only a slight decrease in the total elongation.

[0131] The earing behavior of the aluminum alloys (FIG. 8) is not significantly impacted by changing the chromium content.

[0132] The Erichsen test provides an indication of the stretch-forming capacity of sheet metals, where a higher maximum stroke is preferred for aluminum alloys used in producing beverage cans and similar products. The maximum stroke (FIG. 9) is not significantly impacted by increasing chromium content.

[0133] The electrochemical potential properties of the various samples were tested at low chloride concentration (ASTM water) (FIG. 10A, Table 8), medium chloride concentration (0.35 wt.% NaCl) (FIG. 10B), and high chloride concentration (3.5 wt.% NaCl) (FIG. 10C). In the low chloride condition of ASTM water, breakdown potential peaks appeared in potentiodynamic polarization curves of each alloy. Further, with increasing chromium content, the free corrosion potential (Ecorr) increases slightly in the active/negative direction. The chromium content has a stronger effect on the pitting potential. The breakdown / pitting potential (E_Pit) moves up in the positive/noble direction, which indicates that increasing chromium content increases the corrosion resistance of the alloy in the tested condition. Table 8

*** passivation range = Ecorr - E_Pit

[0134] For the medium and high chlorine concentrations (FIGS. 9B and 9C), respectively, the breakdown potential peaks did not appear in the polarization profdes, which indicates that the active dissolution / corrosion occurred to the alloys regardless of Cr level.

[0135] The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) was measured with a slow strain rate test (SSRT) in air or 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution (Table 9). When tested in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, the time-to- failure and strain-to-failure have decreased due to stress corrosion cracking of the P-phase on the grain boundaries. Further increasing the chromium content significantly increased both the time- to-failure and strain-to-failure when tested in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, which indicates improving SCC resistance.

Table 9 .M. is not measured.

** Change in strain-to-failure measured in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution as compared to that measured in air. For example, for sample 1, (0.353-0.203) / 0.353 = 0.426.

ILLUSTRATIVE ASPECTS

[0136] As used below, any reference to a series of aspects (e.g., “Aspects 1-4”) or nonenumerated group of aspects (e.g., “any previous or subsequent aspect”) is to be understood as a reference to each of those aspects disjunctively (e g., “Aspects 1-4” is to be understood as “Aspects 1, 2, 3, or 4 ”).

[0137] Aspect 1. An aluminum alloy product comprising: a 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 1 wt.% silicon; up to 0.8 wt.% iron; up to 0.25 wt.% copper; 0.1 wt.% to 2 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 3 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product.

[0138] Aspect 2. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprises: up to 0.6 wt.% silicon; up to 0.6 wt.% iron; 0.001 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% copper; 0.7 wt.% to 1.4 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 2.5 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum.

[0139] Aspect 3. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprises: 0.15 wt.% to 0.4 wt.% silicon; 0.3 wt.% to 0.55 wt.% iron; 0.05 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% copper; 0.7 wt.% to 0.9 wt.% manganese; 0.8 wt.% to 1.3 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.15 wt.% chromium; up to 0.15 wt.% zinc; up to 0.05 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum.

[0140] Aspect 4. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%.

[0141] Aspect 5. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an alpha phase fraction percent from 40 wt.% to 70 wt.%. [0142] Aspect 6. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an Ale(Mn,Fe) phase fraction percent of 55 wt.% or less.

[0143] Aspect 7. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher chromium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product.

[0144] Aspect 8. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher magnesium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product.

[0145] Aspect 9. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a yield stress of at least 385 MPa.

[0146] Aspect 10. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an ultimate tensile stress of at least 425 MPa.

[0147] Aspect 11. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a total elongation of 5.5% to 7.5%.

[0148] Aspect 12. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking time-to-failure of at least 28 hours.

[0149] Aspect 13. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure of at least 0.24%.

[0150] Aspect 14. The aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure percent increase of 10% or greater.

[0151] Aspect 15. A beverage can comprising a beverage can body produced from the aluminum alloy product of any previous or subsequent aspect.

[0152] Aspect 16. A method of producing an aluminum alloy product, comprising: casting a 3xxx series aluminum alloy to form a cast aluminum alloy, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 1 wt.% silicon; up to 0.8 wt.% iron; up to 0.25 wt.% copper; 0.1 wt.% to 2 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 3 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; heating the cast aluminum alloy product; and hot rolling and, optionally cold rolling, the cast aluminum alloy to produce the aluminum alloy product, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product.

[0153] Aspect 17. The method of aspect 16 further comprising: producing a beverage can body with the aluminum alloy product.

[0154] Aspect 18. The method of aspect 16 or 17, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%.

[0155] Aspect 19. An aluminum alloy product comprising: a 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 0.15 wt.% silicon; 0.01 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% iron; up to 1 wt.% copper; up to 1 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.1 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product.

[0156] Aspect 20. The aluminum alloy product of aspect 19, wherein the 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprises: 0.01 wt.% to 0.15 wt.% silicon; 0.01 wt.% to 0.4 wt.% iron; 0.1 wt.% to 1 wt.% copper; 0.2 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% manganese; 2.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium; 0.1 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% chromium; up to 0.1 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum.

[0157] Aspect 21. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-20, wherein the 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprises: 0.03 wt.% to 0.1 wt.% silicon; 0.1 wt.% to 0.4 wt.% iron; 0.1 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% copper; 0.2 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% manganese; 3.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium; 0.1 wt.% to 0.2 wt.% chromium; up to 0.05 wt.% zinc; up to 0.05 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum.

[0158] Aspect 22. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-21, wherein the 5xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%.

[0159] Aspect 23. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-22, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an alpha phase fraction percent from 40 wt.% to 70 wt.%.

[0160] Aspect 24. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-23, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an Ale(Mn,Fe) phase fraction percent of 55 wt.% or less.

[0161] Aspect 25. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-24, wherein the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher chromium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product. [0162] Aspect 26. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-25, wherein the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher magnesium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product.

[0163] Aspect 27. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-26, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a yield stress of at least 385 MPa.

[0164] Aspect 28. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-27, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an ultimate tensile stress of at least 425 MPa.

[0165] Aspect 29. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-28, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a total elongation of 5.5% to 7.5%.

[0166] Aspect 30. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-29, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking time-to-failure of at least 28 hours.

[0167] Aspect 31. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-30, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure of at least 0.24%.

[0168] Aspect 32. The aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-31, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure percent increase of 10% or greater.

[0169] Aspect 33. A beverage can comprising a beverage can end produced from the aluminum alloy product of any of aspects 19-33.

[0170] Aspect 34. A method of producing an aluminum alloy product, comprising: casting a 5xxx series aluminum alloy to form a cast aluminum alloy, the 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 0.15 wt.% silicon; 0.01 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% iron; up to 1 wt.% copper; up to 1 wt.% manganese; 0.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium; 0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.1 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; heating the cast aluminum alloy product; and hot rolling and, optionally cold rolling, the cast aluminum alloy to produce the aluminum alloy product, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product.

[0171] Aspect 35. The method of aspect 34 further comprising: producing a beverage can body with the aluminum alloy product.

[0172] Aspect 36. The method of aspect 34 or 35, wherein the 5xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%. [0173] All patents and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. The foregoing description of the embodiments, including illustrated embodiments, has been presented only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise forms disclosed. Numerous modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An aluminum alloy product comprising: a 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 1 wt.% silicon; up to 0.8 wt.% iron; up to 0.25 wt.% copper;

0.1 wt.% to 2 wt.%> manganese;

0.5 wt.% to 3 wt.% magnesium;

0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product.

2. The aluminum alloy product of claim 1, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprises: up to 0.6 wt.% silicon; up to 0.6 wt.% iron;

0.001 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% copper;

0.7 wt.% to 1.4 wt.% manganese;

0.5 wt.% to 2.5 wt.% magnesium;

0.05 wt.%> to 0.25 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.%> zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum.

3. The aluminum alloy product of claim 1 , wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprises:

0.15 wt.% to 0.4 wt.% silicon;

0.3 wt.% to 0.55 wt.% iron;

0.05 wt.% to 0.25 wt.% copper;

0.7 wt.% to 0.9 wt.% manganese;

0.8 wt.% to 1.3 wt.% magnesium;

0.05 wt.% to 0.15 wt.% chromium; up to 0.15 wt.% zinc; up to 0.05 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum.

4. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%.

5. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an alpha phase fraction percent from 40 wt.% to 70 wt.%.

6. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an Ale(Mn,Fe) phase fraction percent of 55 wt.% or less.

7. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher chromium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product.

8. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the surface portion of the aluminum alloy product has a higher magnesium content than a central portion of the aluminum alloy product.

9. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a yield stress of at least 385 MPa.

10. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an ultimate tensile stress of at least 425 MPa.

11. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a total elongation of 5.5% to 7.5%.

12. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking time-to-failure of at least 28 hours.

13. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure of at least 0.24%.

14. The aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a stress corrosion cracking strain-to-failure percent increase of 10% or greater.

15. A beverage can comprising a beverage can body produced from the aluminum alloy product of any preceding claim.

16. A method of producing an aluminum alloy product, comprising: casting a 3xxx series aluminum alloy to form a cast aluminum alloy, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 1 wt.% silicon; up to 0.8 wt.% iron; up to 0.25 wt.% copper;

0.1 wt.% to 2 wt.% manganese;

0.5 wt.% to 3 wt.% magnesium;

0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.25 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; heating the cast aluminum alloy product; and hot rolling and, optionally cold rolling, the cast aluminum alloy to produce the aluminum alloy product, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a crosssection of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: producing a beverage can body with the aluminum alloy product.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy has a recycled content of at least 10 wt.%.

19. An aluminum alloy product comprising: a 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 0.15 wt.% silicon;

0.01 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% iron; up to 1 wt.% copper; up to 1 wt.% manganese;

0.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium;

0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.1 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a cross-section of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product.

20. A method of producing an aluminum alloy product, comprising: casting a 5xxx series aluminum alloy to form a cast aluminum alloy, the 5xxx series aluminum alloy comprising: up to 0.15 wt.% silicon;

0.01 wt.% to 0.6 wt.% iron; up to 1 wt.% copper; up to 1 wt.% manganese;

0.5 wt.% to 6 wt.% magnesium;

0.05 wt.% to 0.3 wt.% chromium; up to 0.1 wt.% zinc; up to 0.1 wt.% titanium; up to 0.3 wt.% impurities; and aluminum; heating the cast aluminum alloy product; and hot rolling and, optionally cold rolling, the cast aluminum alloy to produce the aluminum alloy product, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a gradient microstructure across a crosssection of the aluminum alloy product with elongated grains in a surface portion of the aluminum alloy product.