Abstract: Grain size of a deliverable metal product can be improved by pre-setting recrystallization-suppressing dispersoids during casting. The outer regions of a direct chill cast embryonic ingot can undergo reheating before casting is complete. Through unique wiper placement and/or other reheating techniques, the temperature of the ingot can be permitted to reheat (e.g., up to approximately 410° C. to approximately 420° C.), allowing dispersoids to form. Stirring and/or agitation of the molten sump can facilitate formation of a deeper sump and desirably fine grain size as-cast. The formation of dispersoids during and/or immediately after casting can pin the grain boundaries at the desirably fine grain size, encouraging the same grain sizes even after a later recrystallization and/or solutionizing step.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for improving the grain structure of a metal product by applying ultrasonic energy to a continuously cast metal product at a position downstream from the casting region and allowing the ultrasonic energy to propagate through the metal product to the solidification region. At the solidification region, the ultrasonic energy can interact with the growing metal grains, such as to deagglomerate and disperse nucleating particles and to disrupt and fragment dendrites as they grow, which can promote additional nucleation and result in smaller grain sizes.

Abstract: Described are processes for continuously casting aluminum alloys, wherein the alloys comprise or are modified to comprise Mg. The processes involve adding Ca to the molten aluminum alloy prior to casting in order to decrease surface defects and exudates in the cast aluminum alloys.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides aluminum alloy products having a functional gradient across at least one dimension of the aluminum alloy product. The disclosure also provides articles of manufacture made from such products, and methods of making such products, such as through casting and rolling. The disclosure also provides various end uses of such products, such as in automotive, aerospace, marine, defense, transportation, electronics, and industrial applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are ultra-high strength aluminum alloys and products prepared therefrom, along with methods of processing the ultra-high strength aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys described herein are high solute alloys, including significant amounts of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and other elements in addition to aluminum. The aluminum alloys described herein are amenable to post-aging processing without cracking.

Abstract: Described are methods of preparing compositionally gradient aluminum alloy products. The methods may include casting a composite ingot in a mold. The composite ingot may include an inner region comprising a first aluminum alloy, an outer region surrounding the inner region, and a compositionally gradient zone between the inner region and the outer region. The outer region may include a second aluminum alloy different from the first aluminum alloy. At least one alloying element of the first aluminum alloy may have a content that is decreased through the compositionally gradient zone in a direction from the inner region to the outer region. Also described are aluminum alloy composite ingots and rolled aluminum alloy products having a compositionally gradient zone.

Abstract: A system for heat-treating a coil of metal can include a furnace, an unwinding system, and a quenching system. The furnace may receive the coil of metal and elevate a temperature of the metal to be within a pre-heated temperature range, such as a homogenizing temperature range or an annealing temperature range. The unwinding system may unwind at least a portion of the coil in a heated state in which the metal is within the pre-heated temperature range or before the metal has cooled past a threshold amount below the pre-heated temperature range. The quenching system may receive the unwound portion of the coil from the unwinding device and reduce a temperature of the unwound portion to a within a quenched temperature range within a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: Systems and methods may utilize magnetic rotors to heat molten metal in the corner regions of a mold during casting (e.g., casting of an ingot, billet, or slab). The magnetic rotors are positioned adjacent to the corners of the mold and heat the molten metal in the corner region to increase the temperature of the molten metal adjacent the corners. The increased temperature of the molten metal in the mold corners can prevent intermetallics from forming in the molten metal or otherwise reduce such formation.

Abstract: Described are aluminum alloy products that generally have a microstructure and composition that resists corrosion. This corrosion resistance, in turn, allows the aluminum alloy products to exhibit favorable bond durability performance, such as when adhesively bonded to another product. The corrosion resistance can be achieved by controlling the composition of the aluminum alloy, including the presence and/or concentration of certain intermetallic particles, such as ?-phase intermetallic particles and ?-phase intermetallic particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a metal foil capacitor, preferably an aluminum capacitor, comprising a modified metal foil comprising a base metal, preferably an aluminum foil. The modified metal foil capacitor may satisfy at least two of the following conditions: (a) the modified metal foil has a surface area of at least 10 times greater than an unmodified metal foil; (b) the modified metal foil has a dielectric constant (k) of at least 5; (c) the modified metal foil has a thickness of at least 1 micron; and/or (d) the modified metal foil comprises at least one metal in addition to the base metal, wherein the at least one metal is present in an amount of at least 0.01 wt. % based on the total weight of the modified metal foil. Methods for preparing the metal foil capacitor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are methods of treating surfaces of metal alloy substrates and associated metal alloy products. The methods may include providing an aluminum alloy product having a bulk and a surface and scanning abeam of high energy across the surface. The method may further include applying a liquid layer onto the surface prior to scanning a beam of high energy. The beam of high energy may interact with the surface and/or the liquid layer to form a treated surface. The beam of high energy may interact with the surface and/or the liquid layer to physically modify the at least a portion of the aluminum alloy product to form a treated sub-surface layer.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for improving the grain structure of a metal product by applying ultrasonic energy to a continuously cast metal product at a position downstream from the casting region and allowing the ultrasonic energy to propagate through the metal product to the solidification region. At the solidification region, the ultrasonic energy can interact with the growing metal grains, such as to deagglomerate and disperse nucleating particles and to disrupt and fragment dendrites as they grow, which can promote additional nucleation and result in smaller grain sizes.

Abstract: Process control of intense stirring along a solidification front and adjustments in casting speeds during direct chill casting of 7xxx series alloys can decrease an ingot’s cracking susceptibility. Intense stirring control is used to reduce the thickness of the solidification front, promote agglomeration of hydrogen gas rejected at the solidification front, remove impurities rejected at the solidification front, and improve grain size. Intense stirring control is used to operate at faster casting speeds without risk of increasing the thickness of the solidification front. Optional reheating during casting to promote dispersoid formation is used to generate a high-strength zone of dispersoid-strengthened solidified metal in the outer periphery of the ingot, which can further decrease the ingot’s susceptibility to cracking.

Abstract: A stress corrosion cracking-resistant aluminum alloy product may include aluminum and a plurality of alloying elements. The plurality of alloying elements may include 3 wt. % to 10 wt. % magnesium and at least one of 0.001 wt. % to 0.1 wt. % calcium. In some embodiments, the plurality of alloying elements may further include 0.001 wt. % to 0.1 wt. % strontium. In some embodiments, the plurality of alloying elements may further include silver.

Abstract: A rapid quenching line can be suitable for use with hot coil at, or above the metal strip's recrystallization point. Hot coil can be uncoiled by a low tension uncoiler using a non-contacting hold-down device. The metal strip coming off the hot coil is rapidly quenched (e.g., at rates of at or above 100° C./s or 200° C./s) through multiple quenching zones. Coolant can be removed, such as with an air knife and/or a wiper (e.g., an ultra-compliant wiper). Steam can be collected from earlier quenching zones and be repurposed to provide humid air to the metal strip, such as at regions where the temperature of the metal strip is at or below the Leidenfrost point. The cooled metal strip can pass through a bridle to increase the tension in the metal strip before the metal strip is optionally lubricated and then recoiled or otherwise further processed.

Abstract: Grain size of a deliverable metal product can be improved by pre-setting recrystallization-suppressing dispersoids during casting. The outer regions of a direct chill cast embryonic ingot can undergo reheating before casting is complete. Through unique wiper placement and/or other reheating techniques, the temperature of the ingot can be permitted to reheat (e.g., up to approximately 410° C. to approximately 420° C.), allowing dispersoids to form. Stirring and/or agitation of the molten sump can facilitate formation of a deeper sump and desirably fine grain size as-cast. The formation of dispersoids during and/or immediately after casting can pin the grain boundaries at the desirably fine grain size, encouraging the same grain sizes even after a later recrystallization and/or solutionizing step.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making aluminum alloy products are described including those that decrease the tendency for hot tearing or shrinkage porosity to occur during casting by introducing forced convection during the casting process. The forced convection may result in formation of high circularity grains during the solidification process, thereby increasing the permeability of the liquid aluminum alloy and decreasing the tendency for hot tearing or shrinkage porosity to occur.

Abstract: Provided herein are ultra-high strength aluminum alloys and products prepared therefrom, along with methods of processing the ultra-high strength aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys described herein are high solute alloys, including significant amounts of zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and other elements in addition to aluminum. The aluminum alloys described herein are amenable to post-aging processing without cracking.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making aluminum alloy products are described including those that decrease the tendency for hot tearing or shrinkage porosity to occur during casting by introducing forced convection during the casting process. The forced convection may result in formation of high circularity grains during the solidification process, thereby increasing the permeability of the liquid aluminum alloy and decreasing the tendency for hot tearing or shrinkage porosity to occur.

Abstract: Provided herein are continuously cast aluminum alloy products exhibiting uniform surface characteristics. The aluminum alloy products have a first surface comprising a width, wherein the first surface comprises an average of 50 exudates or less per square centimeter across the width of the first surface. Also provided herein are methods of making aluminum alloy products having improved surface characteristics. Further provided are methods and systems for manufacturing aluminum alloy products, such as sheets, having reduced surface defects.