Abating recrystallization inhomogeneity in twin-roll cast 3003 aluminum sheet by electromagnetic fields

Abstract

Recrystallization inhomogeneity is a typical problem in twin-roll cast Al–Mn alloys. A compound field is applied during twin-roll casting of 3003 aluminum sheet to investigate its effects on the final recrystallization structure of the cold rolled and annealed sheet. Dendrite arms in the as-cast sheet are refined and become uniform after applying the field. The arm size range decreases from 5 to 15 μm to 5–8 μm. Two-step homogenization results in more nucleation particles and finer recrystallization structure than single-step routine does in both sheets. More nucleation particles are formed and evenly distributed in the field sheet under the same homogenization routine as a result of more uniformly distributed elements and grain size in the as-cast sheet. The recrystallization inhomogeneity is abated and eliminated by the compound field. Recrystallization grain size in the field sheet after 600 °C × 15 h + 500 °C × 15 h annealing is reduced to 30 μm × 60 μm and distributes evenly along sheet thickness.