Development of Cube Recrystallization Texture in Strip Cast AA3004 Aluminium Alloy

Abstract

AA3004 aluminium alloy is most widely used in the beverage industry due to its excellent deep drawing properties and corrosion resistance. During deep drawing of the AA3004 sheets, the ‘earing phenomenon’ has to be minimized for economic advantage. In AA3004 and modified AA3004 alloys (like AA3104), this can be achieved by tailoring the crystallographic texture of the fully recrystallized sheet. Conventionally, AA3004 sheets are produced through direct chill (DC) casting route. In the present study, a twin roll cast AA3004 sheet is used for further processing (cold rolling and annealing). The texture comprised mainly of Cu ({112} 〈111〉), Brass ({110} 〈112〉) and S ({123} 〈634〉) orientations in the as-cast as well as cold rolled condition (Cu, Brass and S components being stronger in the cold rolled condition as compared to as-cast material). After complete recrystallization of 90 % cold rolled sheet, cube texture are deviated from ideal cube ({100} 〈001〉) (5°–10°) along with formation of Goss ({110} 〈001〉) and P{011} 〈122〉 components. This was in contrast to the DC casting route, where strong cube recrystallization texture is obtained.