Shaped direct chill aluminum ingot
Method and apparatus for forming aluminum ingot having shaped ends to avoid alligatoring during rolling.
1. A method of rolling an ingot of aluminum, the method comprising:
(a) providing an aluminum ingot to be rolled, said aluminum ingot comprising at least one formed end having opposed tapered surfaces extending a distance from a flat surface of said aluminum ingot across a widthwise dimension opposite a rolling direction, said tapered surfaces being provided at a first angle in a range of 2° to 20° from said surface of said aluminum ingot and a second angle in the range of 50° to 80° from said flat surface of said cast aluminum ingot and extending a distance from said first angle towards said formed end; and
(b) subjecting said aluminum ingot to multiple rolling passes in a rolling mill to reduce said aluminum ingot in thickness and extend the aluminum ingot in length to produce a sheet having a rolled end, said rolled end of said shet being free of alligatoring.
2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first angle is in the range of 5° to 15°.
3. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tapered surfaces of said formed end terminate in a rounded portion.
4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said aluminum ingot comprises a second formed end.
5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said ends of said aluminum ingot is formed during casting from a shape of a bottom block onto which aluminum is poured during casting.
6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of said ends of said aluminum ingot is formed by machining after said aluminum ingot is formed.
7. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one formed end of said aluminum ingot and a second formed end are formed during casting.