Microstructural Evolution of Al-Mn Based Alloy Fabricated by Vertical-Type High-Speed Twin-Roll Casting

Abstract

For decades, twin-roll casting has been applied for manufacturing aluminum alloy sheets. This conventional process contributes to make thin aluminum sheets from the molten metal directly. Recently, vertical-type high-speed twin-roll casting (HSTRC) has been developed with much higher casting speed rather than the horizontal-type. Some modifications such as feeding nozzle and water-cooling system of copper rolls contribute to increase cooling rates. This characteristic leads to many metallurgical advantages like grain refinement, super-saturation of alloying elements and fine distribution of secondary particles. The objective of this study is to investigate the constituent particles in HSTRC aluminum alloy. The commercial Al-Mn alloy strip was successfully fabricated by HSTRC. Clearly different microstructure was found in thickness direction. Many constituent particles observed along the grain boundaries/cell boundaries as well as inside of Al matrix on the surface area, while eutectic structure around globular grain boundaries was observed in mid-central area. The morphology as well as chemical compositions of the constituent particles were investigated.