Aluminum and aluminum alloy cast and rolled strip
Aluminum and aluminum alloy cast-rolled strip is produced through a continuous casting and rolling process. Featuring a short production process, low energy consumption, and low cost, it is widely used in packaging, construction, electronics, and other fields. Compared to the traditional hot-rolling and cold-rolling process, the cast-rolling process can directly process molten aluminum into thinner strip, eliminating the hot-rolling and milling steps. This significantly shortens the production cycle while reducing material loss and energy consumption. Product thickness typically ranges from 2 to 10 mm. Further cold-rolling can be performed to produce thinner strips as needed, and it can also be used directly in applications where thickness requirements are less demanding.
The production process for aluminum and aluminum alloy cast strip primarily involves smelting, casting, and finishing, with the core being the continuous casting process. First, aluminum ingots and alloying elements are placed into a smelting furnace in appropriate proportions for smelting. The alloy composition and melt temperature are strictly controlled, and gases and impurities are removed from the melt to ensure a pure melt. The smelted aluminum flows through a launder into the crystallizer of the casting mill, where it rapidly solidifies and is rolled between two rotating casting rollers to form a cast strip of uniform thickness. The casting speed, cooling intensity, and rolling pressure must be precisely controlled during the casting process to ensure uniform microstructure and stable performance. The cast strip undergoes finishing steps such as trimming and coiling to produce the finished cast strip. Some products also require annealing to improve their plasticity for subsequent processing.
In the packaging industry, aluminum and aluminum alloy cast strip is the primary raw material for aluminum foil production. Through multiple cold rolling passes, cast strip can be processed into aluminum foil with a thickness of 0.006-0.2mm for use in food packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, cigarette packaging, and other applications. For example, aluminum foil for food packaging requires excellent sealing and ductility. The uniform microstructure of cast strip ensures high-quality foil during subsequent cold rolling. In pharmaceutical packaging, aluminum foil is used to make the lid of blister packs, where its excellent corrosion resistance and hygienic properties ensure the quality and safety of pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, cast strip can be directly used to make the outer shells of some packaging containers, such as the body of cans, formed into the desired shape through processes such as stamping.
Aluminum and aluminum alloy cast strip is also widely used in the construction and decoration sectors. In the construction sector, cast strip, after surface treatment, can be used to create decorative materials such as aluminum gussets and ceiling panels. Its excellent formability allows for easy processing into various shapes to meet diverse decoration needs. In the decoration sector, cast strip can be treated through processes such as anodizing and coloring to create decorative strips with a metallic luster and various colors. These are used to create decorative strips for furniture trim, door and window frames, and other products, enhancing their aesthetics. Furthermore, cast strip is also used in the collector covers of solar water heaters, leveraging its excellent thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance to improve heat collection efficiency and service life.
With advances in industrial technology and growing environmental awareness, the production technology for aluminum and aluminum alloy cast strip continues to optimize, and its application areas continue to expand. Manufacturers are improving casting equipment and processes to enhance the thickness accuracy and surface quality of cast strip to meet the demands of high-end sectors. At the same time, they are developing new alloy cast strips, such as high-strength, highly corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy cast strips, to expand their applications in automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and other fields. To enhance energy conservation and consumption reduction, companies are using advanced melting technologies and waste heat recovery systems to reduce energy consumption and emissions during the production process. In the future, with the development of the packaging industry and the deepening of green manufacturing concepts, the market prospects for aluminum and aluminum alloy cast strips will expand even further, providing strong support for the sustainable development of related industries.
