COMPARISION OF THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND TEXTURE EVOLUTION IN AA1050 ALUMINUM ALLOY SHEETS PRODUCED BY THE DC AND CC METHODS

This study aims to compare, on an industrial scale, of the effect of the direct chill (DC) and continuous casting (CC) fabrication processes of AA1050 rolled and annealed sheets. Characterization of their microstructure and texture evolution from the as-cast condition up to the end condition of a deep-drawn cup was carried out. Stamping tests were performed to identify which process presents best performance. Different microstructures were obtained for the studies processes: the DC material was more homogeneous, both in terms of intermetallic distribution and grain size. The mechanical properties of the CC material were slightly higher than those for the DC material. Forming Limit Diagram (FLD) of the homogenized CC material presented the best results.