Comparison of earing behavior between continuous cast and direct chill cast AA 5182 aluminum alloys during cold rolling and annealing

The evolution of texture and earing during rolling of continuous cast (CC) and direct chill (DC) cast AA 5182 aluminum alloys was investigated. The results showed that the CC alloy possessed a significantly weaker cube texture than the DC alloy after annealing at 454 °C for 3 h. The evolution of texture and earing during rolling was strongly affected by the initial texture. The 45° earing value of the CC alloy increased with increasing rolling reduction, while the 0/90° earing value of the DC alloy decreased. After 45% cold rolling reduction, the deep-drawn cup of the DC alloy exhibited eight ears at 0°, 45° and 90° to the rolling direction. The DC sheet with minimum earing was obtained at about 83% rolling reduction. The evolution of texture and earing during annealing of the CC and DC alloys was compared. An empirical relationship between the earing value and texture volume fractions was established. Minimization of earing could be achieved by balancing the cube, r-cube and β fiber components.