The Differences Between Hot-Rolled and Cast-Rolled Aluminum Discs
I. Deep-Drawing Forming Performance:Can it Meet the Needs of Complex Pot Shapes?
The first critical process in kitchenware production is deep drawing, which involves stretching the disc into the shape of a pot liner. This places high demands on the material's plastic flowability.
Hot-rolled aluminum discs(DC) have a microstructure of fine equiaxed crystals, high density, and uniform material flowability under stress. This structure allows it to withstand large deformations, making it suitable for producing kitchenware products requiring deep drawing, such as multi-layered pots and pressure cooker inner pots. In actual stamping processes, hot-rolled sheets have a lower risk of edge wrinkling and bottom cracking, and stable continuous production can be achieved after mold adjustments.
Cast-rolled aluminum discs(CC) exhibit significant anisotropy due to central segregation and columnar crystal structure. During deep drawing, tensile force tends to concentrate at grain boundaries, leading to cracking at cookware corners or orange peel texture on the sidewalls. Therefore, cast-rolled sheets are typically only suitable for simple kitchen utensils with small drawing heights, such as frying pans and shallow dishes.
II. Surface Treatment Performance: Affecting Cookware Appearance and Coating Quality
Cookware typically undergoes surface treatment processes such as polishing, anodizing, or non-stick coating spraying. The uniformity of the substrate structure directly affects the final result.
Hot-rolled aluminum discs, due to their uniform substrate structure, achieve high surface brightness and consistent color after sanding or polishing. During anodizing, a uniform and dense oxide film is formed, minimizing color differences. Simultaneously, the dense substrate helps improve the adhesion of the non-stick coating, extending the lifespan of the cookware, which is particularly important for high-end cookware export orders.
If cast-rolled aluminum discs contain central segregation or minute intermetallic compounds, flow lines or banded color differences may appear after anodizing. After applying a non-stick coating, if the substrate contains oxides or oil contaminants entangled during rolling, pinholes or blistering defects may occur after high-temperature sintering, affecting the yield.
III. Cost Control and Processing Scrap Rate: Kitchenware Manufacturers Need To Balance Material Cost And Processing Losses When Selecting Materials.
Hot-rolled aluminum discs have a relatively high material cost, but their mechanical properties are stable and their processing tolerance is high. For high-volume, high-value-added high-end cookware production, hot-rolled plates can maintain a low scrap rate, making overall costs controllable.
Cast-rolled aluminum discs have lower procurement costs, but the risk of stamping cracks is higher when deep-drawing complex shapes, leading to increased mold downtime and a higher scrap rate. For highly automated, fast-paced production lines, the increased scrap rate often offsets the material cost advantage. Therefore, cast-rolled aluminum sheets are more suitable for simple drawn parts with low technical requirements.
In summary: In the kitchenware processing field, hot-rolled aluminum discs are suitable for deep cookware and high-end export products, offering high forming limits and good surface finish; cast-rolled aluminum discs are suitable for shallow-drawn ordinary cookware, with lower base material costs. Manufacturers should select materials rationally based on product positioning and process requirements.
Shanghai Nosinda Metal Co., Ltd. is a long-term supplier of hot-rolled and cast-rolled aluminum discs, with complete specifications, and can provide material performance data and processing technical support.
Contact Us
Web: www.nosindametal.com
Email: sales@nosindametal.com
Tel: +86 176 0133 0366
Add: Zone A, Floor 1, Building 104, No. 1-30, Lane 88, Minbei Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China