The use of aluminum as a lightweight construction material in automobiles and also in the aviation industry continues to be on the rise. Subsequent to the cold rolling process, the aluminum sheets have to undergo a heat treatment to regain formability as well as the required material strengths. Especially the heat treatment and the cooling of the strip play a major role. To increase flatness the strip has the possibility to run through a tension leveler. The strip surfaces must be cleaned before they are coated. The chemical treatment prepares the strip for transportation and further processing. These processes can take place separately in different facilities or combined in a heat and chemical treatment line, which can provide financial benefits.

Main process steps:

• Annealing and cooling
• Tension leveling
• Cleaning
• Chemical treatment
• Aging