Aluminum Alloy Rolled Sheet Processing for Bending and Ridging Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing aluminum alloy sheets struggle to achieve compatibility between bending workability and ridging resistance, which are essential for severe molding conditions and high surface quality, as previous techniques are not intrinsically designed for mutual compatibility and may not effectively control the recrystallization behavior influenced by Mg-Si-based particles.

Innovation Solution

The method involves controlling the particle diameters of Mg-Si-based particles by adjusting the cooling rate and retention time after homogenization treatment, followed by hot rolling and cold rolling, to promote recrystallization and eliminate the stripe-shaped structure caused by ingot crystal grains, thereby enhancing both bending workability and ridging resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional production methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but bending workability and ridging resistance cannot be simultaneously improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveridging resistanceVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the cooling rate (50-2000°C/h) after homogenization treatment and the retention time (0.17 hours or more) at heating temperature before rolling. These parameter adjustments control the particle diameter of Mg-Si-based particles, enabling simultaneous improvement of ridging resistance and bending workability through modified recrystallization behavior without fundamentally changing the production process structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by performing homogenization treatment followed by controlled cooling and retention before hot rolling. This preliminary control of particle formation and distribution prepares the material structure in advance, ensuring optimal recrystallization during subsequent rolling operations and achieving high ridging resistance and bending workability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If severe molding conditions are applied, then design flexibility is improved, but ridging marks are generated deteriorating surface quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding design flexibilityVSAvoidridging marks
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material's internal parameters by controlling the particle diameter of Mg-Si-based particles through specific cooling rates and retention times. This modification of particle characteristics alters the recrystallization behavior during molding, enabling severe molding operations to be performed without generating ridging marks, thus improving surface quality while maintaining design flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If particle diameters of Mg-Si-based particles are not controlled, then production simplicity is maintained, but recrystallization behavior cannot be effectively controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecrystallization controlVSAvoidprocess control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent directly addresses recrystallization control by changing the particle diameter of Mg-Si-based particles through controlled cooling (50-2000°C/h) and retention (0.17 hours or more at 370-440°C). This parameter control mechanism allows effective recrystallization during hot rolling and cold rolling, improving both ridging resistance and bending workability without requiring complex additional process equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in an aluminum alloy sheet with improved compatibility between bending workability and ridging resistance, ensuring high surface quality and effective recrystallization, which is critical for severe molding conditions.

Implementation Method 1

performing homogenization treatment of an ingot

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHomogenization treatment:

Implementation Method 2

controlling particle diameters of Mg-Si-based particles which are precipitates in an alloy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPrecipitation: Precipitation

Implementation Method 3

promote recrystallization and eliminate the stripe-shaped structure caused by ingot crystal grains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRecrystallization: Annealing

Data Source

PatentEP3336215B1Method for producing aluminum alloy rolled material for molding processing having superior bending workability and ridging resistance
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 UACJ CORP
  • EP3336215B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3336215B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3336215B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for producing an aluminum alloy rolled material for molding, the method including: a step of performing homogenization treatment of an ingot including an aluminum alloy with predetermined composition; a step of cooling the aluminum alloy after the homogenization treatment so that an average cooling rate in an ingot thickness of 1/4 part from 500°C to 320°C is 20°C/h to 2000°C/h; and a step of starting hot rolling at 370°C to 440°C and winding the hot-rolled aluminum alloy at 310 to 380°C, in which the method for producing an aluminum alloy rolled material for molding further includes a step of retaining the aluminum alloy after the cooling step for 0.17 hours or more at a heating temperature before rolling set within a range of 370°C to 440°C before the hot rolling.