General purpose aluminum alloy sheet composition, method of making and

Abstract

An aluminum alloy composition for sheet product consists essentially of 0.3 to 1.1 wt. % silicon, 0.4 to 1.0 wt. % iron, 0.009 to 0.25 wt. % copper and optionally, minor amounts of manganese, magnesium, chromium, zinc, titanium and other incidental impurities with the balance aluminum. In making aluminum sheet from this composition, the aluminum alloy is continuously cast into an intermediate gauge sheet product and directly cold rolled without an intermediate thermal treatment to final gauge. Optionally, the final gauge sheet product can be subjected to a known temper practice. Using the iron, silicon and copper-containing aluminum alloy composition, a sheet product is produced which has acceptable mechanical properties for use as general purpose aluminum sheet, semi-rigid aluminum container stock, consumer wrap container cutter bars and the like.