Abstract: Described herein are methods of processing heat treatable aluminum alloys using an accelerated aging step, along with aluminum alloy products prepared according to the methods. The methods of processing the heat treatable alloys described herein provide a more efficient method for producing aluminum alloy products having the desired strength and formability properties. For example, conventional methods of processing alloys can require 24 hours of aging. The methods described herein, however, substantially reduce the aging time, often requiring eight hours or less of aging time.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles such as plates, shates, slabs, sheet plates or the like. A method for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles can include continuously casting an aluminum alloy article and hot or warm rolling the aluminum alloy article. Also provided herein is a continuous casting system for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles. The disclosed thick gauge aluminum alloy articles can be provided in any suitable temper.

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: Provided herein are corrosion resistant metal substrates and methods for producing the same by thermal modification. The disclosure provides methods for producing corrosion resistant substrates by producing a pretreatment film on a surface of a metal substrate and heating the pretreated metal substrate. In particular, the metal substrate and/or the pretreated metal substrate of these methods is in an F temper, a T4 temper, or a T6 temper.

Abstract: A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.

Abstract: Described herein are 7xxx series aluminum alloys with unexpected properties and novel methods of producing such aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys exhibit high strength and are highly formable. The alloys are produced by continuous casting and can be hot rolled to a final gauge and/or a final temper. The alloys can be used in automotive, transportation, industrial, and electronics applications, just to name a few.

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: A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.

Abstract: Described herein are formable, high strength aluminum alloy products and methods of preparing and processing the same. The methods of preparing and processing the aluminum alloy products include casting an aluminum alloy and performing tailored rolling and downstream thermal processing steps. The resulting aluminum alloy products possess high strength and formability properties.

Abstract: Provided herein are high performance aluminum alloy products having desirable mechanical properties and methods of making the same. The high performance aluminum alloy products described herein contain a high content of recycled material and are prepared by casting an aluminum alloy to form a cast aluminum alloy product and processing the cast aluminum alloy product. The method of processing the cast aluminum alloy product can include two hot rolling steps.

Abstract: A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.

Abstract: A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.

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 herein are methods of processing heat treatable aluminum alloys using an accelerated aging step, along with aluminum alloy products prepared according to the methods. The methods of processing the heat treatable alloys described herein provide a more efficient method for producing aluminum alloy products having the desired strength and formability properties. For example, conventional methods of processing alloys can require 24 hours of aging. The methods described herein, however, substantially reduce the aging time, often requiring eight hours or less of aging time.

Abstract: Described herein are formable, high strength aluminum alloy products and methods of preparing and processing the same. The methods of preparing and processing the aluminum alloy products include casting an aluminum alloy and performing tailored rolling and downstream thermal processing steps. The resulting aluminum alloy products possess high strength and formability properties.

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.

Abstract: Provided herein are high performance aluminum alloy products having desirable mechanical properties and methods of making the same. The high performance aluminum alloy products described herein contain a high content of recycled material and are prepared by casting an aluminum alloy to form a cast aluminum alloy product and processing the cast aluminum alloy product. The method of processing the cast aluminum alloy product can include two hot rolling steps.

Abstract: A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.

Abstract: Described herein are 7xxx series aluminum alloys with unexpected properties and novel methods of producing such aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys exhibit high strength and are highly formable. The alloys are produced by continuous casting and can be hot rolled to a final gauge and/or a final temper. The alloys can be used in automotive, transportation, industrial, and electronics applications, just to name a few.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles such as plates, shates, slabs, sheet plates or the like. A method for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles can include continuously casting an aluminum alloy article and hot or warm rolling the aluminum alloy article. Also provided herein is a continuous casting system for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles. The disclosed thick gauge aluminum alloy articles can be provided in any suitable temper.