2023 Volume 64 Issue 2 Pages 500-505
A model experiment for in-line hot rolling was proposed, and its effectiveness in reducing surface cracking and improving the mechanical properties of cast strips of AC7A Al–Mg alloy was investigated. The strips were cast using an unequal-diameter twin-roll caster at 60 m/min. The strips had a width of 100 mm, and were immediately cut to a length of 200 mm and hot rolled at temperatures of 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500°C. The temperature of the strip surface was measured using a K-type thermocouple. The center area in the width direction of the strips was hot rolled. The thickness of the as-cast strips was 2 mm, and the width of the rolled region was 20 mm. The roll diameter was 70 mm, and the rolling speed was 15 m/min. The thickness reduction caused by hot rolling ranged from 19 to 42%. Surface cracking was reduced by the in-line hot rolling process. The hot-rolled strips were cold rolled down to a thickness of 0.5 mm and then annealed, and tensile tests were conducted. The in-line hot rolling process induced shear deformation of the microstructure. The most appropriate conditions for in-line hot rolling of AC7A were a thickness reduction of 27% and a temperature of 350°C, judging from the tensile strength and elongation results.
