How Hot Rolled Aluminum Compares To Cast-rolled Aluminum?

When it comes to aluminum sheet and foil products, two frequently asked questions revolve around the differences between hot - rolled and cast - rolled materials, as well as the distinctions among various aluminum alloy series. In the realm of aluminum alloys, Series 1, 8, and 3 are particularly notable. While some aluminum sheet or foil products of other series are only produced through hot - rolling and lack the option of cast - rolling, understanding the characteristics of these three series is crucial. This article aims to delve deep into these two aspects, providing you with comprehensive insights into the world of aluminum products.

1. Manufacturing Process

Hot Rolled Aluminum:

hot - rolled materials are strip and foil products made from hot - rolled billets. In the hot - rolling process, the aluminum alloy billets are first heated to a high temperature, typically above the recrystallization temperature of the alloy. This high - temperature state makes the aluminum more malleable. Then, the heated billets are passed through a series of rolling mills, where they are gradually reduced in thickness to the desired dimensions. Hot - rolling can result in better mechanical properties, such as improved strength and a more uniform microstructure. It is often preferred for applications that demand higher - quality products with enhanced mechanical performance, like in the production of high - end cake trays where strength and durability are crucial.

Cast-rolled Aluminum:

Cast - rolled materials are strip and foil products that are produced from cast - rolled billets. The production process of cast - rolled materials involves a continuous casting and rolling operation. First, the molten aluminum alloy is directly cast into a thin - gauge strip through a special casting machine. This process is relatively energy - efficient as it combines the casting and rolling steps into one continuous operation, reducing the overall production time and energy consumption. Cast - rolled products are often used in applications where cost - effectiveness and a certain level of formability are required, such as in some packaging materials.

2. Comparison with the same alloy/temper and specification

In terms of mechanical properties, under the same alloy and Temper conditions, cast - rolled materials generally have a higher compressive strength compared to hot - rolled materials. This is mainly due to the unique microstructure formed during the continuous casting and rolling process, which gives the cast - rolled products better resistance to compressive forces. However, when it comes to stability and elongation, hot - rolled materials have the advantage. The high - temperature rolling process of hot - rolled materials allows for a more uniform distribution of internal stress and a more refined grain structure, resulting in better stability during use and higher elongation values when subjected to tensile forces.

Moreover, in terms of strength, cast - rolled materials tend to have a slightly higher strength value than hot - rolled materials under the same alloy and Temper conditions. But when it comes to deep - drawing height and tensile effect, hot - rolled materials outperform cast - rolled materials. The high - temperature plastic deformation during hot - rolling makes the material more suitable for forming complex shapes through deep - drawing, and it also shows better performance in tensile tests, such as achieving larger elongation before fracture. These differences in mechanical properties should be carefully considered when choosing between cast - rolled and hot - rolled materials for specific applications, like cake tray production.

Many customers may not know much about the products when making their first purchase. May be unsure whether to choose cast-rolled materials or hot-rolled materials. But don't worry. As long as you tell our customer service staff your requirements in detail, we will arrange a professional business manager for you. The manager will recommend the products that best suit your needs based on your requirements.