A high speed twin roll caster for aluminum alloy strip

A melt drag twin roll caster (MDTRC) was devised in order to cast aluminum alloy strips at a speed higher than 30 m/min. A3003 alloy, A5182 alloy, Al–6mass%Si alloy and Al–12mass%Si alloy were cast into thin strips using the MDTRC. These alloys could be cast into strips at a speed of up to 60 m/min. The thickness of the strips was about 1–3 mm. The MDTRC could cast thinner strips than the conventional twin roll caster for aluminum alloys. Lubricant was not used to prevent the sticking of the strip, as sticking did not occur due to the effect of the copper rolls and the low separating force. The mechanical properties and the microstructures of the strips that were cast using the MDTRC, were investigated in the present study. It was shown that MDTRC was useful for the high speed roll casting of aluminum alloy strips.