Aluminum hot rolled plate is an aluminum product processed through the hot rolling process. Common alloys of hot rolled plate include the 1xxx, 3xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx series, which are widely used in the fields of construction, transportation, shipbuilding, aerospace, and so on. The common hot rolled aluminum alloy series have their own unique characteristics and application areas. Common alloys for hot rolled aluminum plate include 1xxx series (e.g. 1050, 1060, 1100), which are mainly used in chemical and food industries; 3xxx series (e.g. 3003, 3004), which are suitable for pressure vessels and home appliances; 5xxx series (e.g. 5052, 5083), which are widely used in ships and automobiles; and 6xxx series (e.g. 6061, 6063), which are used in construction and machinery manufacturing; 7xxx series (e.g. 7075), high strength, suitable for aerospace.
Aluminum hot rolled plate is available in a variety of sizes, with common thicknesses ranging from 0.7 mm to over 600 mm, and widths typically ranging from 500 mm to 2,800 mm. For specific applications, such as architectural curtain walls or electronic equipment base plates, more specific dimensional requirements may apply. For example, the 1100 series of hot rolled aluminum sheets is available in thickness options from 0.1 mm to 500 mm and in widths up to 2,650 mm.
The production process for hot rolled aluminum plate consists of the following steps:
- Raw material preparation: Firstly, aluminum ingots are melted and cast to form ingots.
- Heating: The ingot is heated to a suitable temperature (usually above the recrystallization temperature of the metal) to ensure good plastic deformation.
- Roughing and Finishing: The thickness of the ingot is gradually reduced through a series of rolling operations until the desired product specification is reached.
- Cooling: After rolling, the aluminum sheet is subjected to an appropriate cooling process, which is essential for the mechanical properties of the final product.
- Subsequent processing: This includes, but is not limited to, shearing, straightening, surface treatment, etc. to meet specific application requirements.
Advantages of aluminum hot rolled plate compared to cold rolled plate:
- Excellent processability: hot rolled aluminum plate has excellent ductility and formability, making it suitable for complex stamping and deep drawing processes.
- Good mechanical properties: Compared to cold rolled aluminum, hot rolled aluminum typically has better tensile strength and elongation, which is particularly important for applications that require high strength.
- High corrosion resistance: some alloy grades (e.g. 3003), in particular, have excellent rust resistance due to the manganese content.
- Adaptability: Due to the high temperatures involved in the manufacturing process, they can withstand more severe working environments and are suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.
Hot rolled aluminum plate is used in a wide range of industries:
- Aerospace: used in the manufacture of aircraft shells, wings and other components, taking advantage of its lightweight and high strength characteristics.
- Automotive industry: used as the main material for automotive body panels, hoods and other components, helping to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency.
- Electronics industry: to make heat sinks, printed circuit board substrates, etc., benefiting from its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity.
- Architecture: Used in architectural curtain walls, ceiling decorations, and interior partitions, showing the aesthetic value in modern architectural design.
- Packaging industry: hot rolled aluminum sheets are used in food and pharmaceutical packaging as they provide good barrier protection.
In summary, aluminum hot rolled plate play an indispensable role in many industries thanks to their unique physical properties and diverse specification options. Whether you're looking for high performance or special functionality in your application, you'll find the right hot rolled aluminum plate solution.