Twin-roll casting of aluminum–steel clad strips

• Experiments on twin-roll casting of aluminum–steel clad strips were carried out.
• The diffusion bonding zone was analyzed by means of EPMA and TEM.
• Produced cladmaterial has shown an optimal clad interface structure.
• The deep-drawing and rolling tests of aluminum–steel clad strips were performed successfully.

The results of experiments on twin-roll casting of aluminum–steel clad strips are presented. For the first time this energy-saving production technology for a clad material of this metals combination was implemented. Besides the experimental equipment and processing details, the results of metallographic, electron microprobe and transmission electron microscopy analysis of the aluminum–steel interface are shown. The pack rolling and deep-drawing tests of the twin-roll cast clad strips were performed to check their applicability for a further processing using plastic deformation. In addition adhesive strength of the bond was tested. The performed analysis have shown the formation of a continuous, thin and uniform layer of intermetallic phases on the materials interface of approx. 3 μm thickness having an adhesive strength over 70 MPa.