The homogenisation of the AA3104 ingot, used for can body stock (CBS) sheet in the beverage can industry, has a significant influence on the roll forces experienced during rough rolling, as well as the microstructural evolution, and the consequent mechanical property development during CBS production. The overall quality of the final product requires good formability, good surface finish and texture distribution, and a reasonable amount of galling resistance. Homogenisation results in two significant microstructural changes. The first is a phase transformation of larger (1-5 μm) intermetallic particles from a harder tetragonal β-Al_6(Fe,Mn) phase, to a softer cubic α-Al(Fe,Mn)Si phase. The second, is the development of smaller (≤ 100nm) α-Al(Mn)Si dispersoid particles. The alloying composition determines the volume fraction (VF) of secondary intermetallic particles, while the homogenisation practice determines the type, size, distribution and interconnectivity of these particles within the matrix. Hot roughing (HR) is the step in the sheet production process that is responsible for the initial breakdown of the microstructure and the fragmentation of the secondary particles. The flow stress of the material during this stage is a function of the strain rate, strain and deformation temperature. This work aims to investigate the effect of two homogenisation practices on direct chilled (DC) cast ingot material and to simulate HR in order to view the effect of intermetallic particles on the flow stress, and to monitor the breakdown of the intermetallic particles themselves.
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