EVALUATION OF PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM STRIPS PRODUCED USING A LABORATORY SCALE SINGLE ROLL CONTINUOUS STRIP CASTER

This investigation is primarily concerned with the evaluation of aluminium strips directly cast on a single roll continuous strip caster under various operating conditions. The effect of various operating parameters, such as speed of rotation of the caster drum, degree of melt superheat, etc., on the cast strip quality and mechanical properties is examined. Microstructural studies, based on scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy, have been conducted to examine the grain size and internal quality of the strips. The effect of hot rolling, cold rolling and annealing on the strip microstructure, surface quality and mechanical properties, such as strength, ductility and microhardness, has been investigated in order to establish the feasibility of this technology for commercial exploitation.