CN114466799A - Aluminum flat rolled product with high recycle content for lightweight packaging solutions and related method - Google Patents

Abstract

Described herein are aluminum alloy products for packaging and/or producing beverages. The aluminum alloy product comprises a beverage capsule. The aluminum alloy product can include a 3xxx series aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy product can include at least 50 wt.% recycled aluminum. Methods for processing the aluminum alloys to produce beverage capsules and other packaged products are also described herein.

Description

Aluminum flat rolled product with high recycle content for lightweight packaging solutions and related method

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/909,291 filed on 2/10/2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to aluminum alloy products and properties of such aluminum alloy products. The present disclosure further relates to aluminum beverage products having high recovery content and methods of producing and processing the same.

Background

Beverage capsules are well known and widely used. Aluminum can provide good rigidity, formability, and gas and light barrier properties for food packaging. The aluminium foil used for capsule packaging comprised a soft annealed AA8011A alloy. Existing alloys for capsules have low recovery content. Elements found in recycled aluminum, such as Mg or Mn, and possibly elements accumulated by recycling, such as Fe, can negatively affect properties such as fracture behavior or earing. The recycled aluminum is environmentally friendly. The formation of new metals from recycled aluminum requires only 5% of the energy required to produce the original aluminum used in the aluminum alloy. Reducing the amount of packaging material by reducing the thickness of the material can have a positive impact on the environment. However, reducing the thickness of the packaging material compromises the balance between formability and mechanical resistance of the packaging material and limits these efforts. 3xxx series aluminum alloys (including 3004/3104 in an H19 temper) are common packaging materials for beverage cans. However, the properties of the 3 xxx-series aluminum alloys used in beverage cans (typical specifications of 0.23-0.35mm, tensile strength of about 260MPa, and elongation at break of about 4%) are in a different operating window than those of the aluminum alloy material used for the beverage capsule.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiments covered by the invention are defined by the claims, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter alone. The subject matter should be understood with reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification, any or all figures, and each claim.

Described herein are aluminum alloy capsules. In some embodiments, an aluminum alloy capsule includes a domed body including a lip, and a lid secured with the lip, wherein the lip extends outwardly from the body. The body defines a cavity configured to contain a substance for preparing a beverage. The lid may form a seal around the lip of the body to seal the substance within the body. In some implementations, at least one of the body and the lid includes a 3xxx series aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes AA 3104.

The aluminum alloy capsules described herein can provide improvements over conventional aluminum alloy capsules that use more recovery levels in the aluminum alloy and enable future abatement steps through a new balance of formability and strength properties. In certain embodiments, the 3xxx series aluminum alloys include at least 50 wt.% recycled aluminum. Optionally, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy may include at least 80 wt.% recycled aluminum. In some cases, recycling the aluminum includes at least one of process turnaround scrap aluminum, post-manufacture scrap aluminum, or post-consumer scrap aluminum.

In some cases, a 3xxx series aluminum alloy may be processed to produce an O temper alloy. In some embodiments, the aluminum alloy capsules comprise a thickness of about 30 μm to about 170 μm (e.g., about 50 μm to less than about 150 μm or about 75 μm to about 120 μm). Optionally, the aluminum alloy capsule can include a thickness of about 70 μm to about 120 μm (e.g., about 70 μm to less than about 110 μm or about 80 μm to about 100 μm).

Further described herein are methods of producing aluminum alloy products, such as aluminum beverage capsules, having a recovered content. The method comprises the following steps: melting the recovered aluminum into liquid metal; adding an alloying element to the liquid metal to form a modified liquid metal; casting the modified liquid metal to form a cast aluminum alloy; heating the cast aluminum alloy; hot rolling the cast aluminum alloy to produce a rolled product comprising a thickness of 1.5mm to 10 mm; and cold rolling the rolled product to produce an aluminum alloy product. In some examples, the alloying element comprises manganese. In some examples, the alloying element includes magnesium. Optionally, the alloying elements may include manganese and magnesium. Optionally, the alloying element may also include silicon. In certain examples, heating the cast aluminum alloy may include: homogenizing the cast aluminum alloy. Optionally, the method may further comprise: annealing the aluminum alloy product to produce an O temper product. In some examples, the method may further include: cleaning the aluminum alloy product with a weakly basic or weakly acidic reagent. In some examples, the modified liquid metal can comprise at least 50 wt.% recycled aluminum (e.g., at least about 60 wt.% recycled aluminum or at least about 75 wt.% recycled aluminum). Optionally, the modified liquid metal can comprise at least 80 wt.% recycled aluminum (e.g., at least about 85 wt.% recycled aluminum or at least about 90 wt.% recycled aluminum). Recycling aluminum may include process turnaround scrap aluminum, post-manufacture scrap aluminum, and/or post-consumer scrap aluminum.

Also described herein is an aluminum alloy product made according to the method described herein. The aluminum alloy may comprise a 3xxx series aluminum alloy. The aluminum alloy product may be a sheet. The aluminum alloy products can be used for packaging. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product is a package for preparing a beverage. In certain examples, the aluminum alloy product is a beverage capsule.

Achieving a certain strength and elongation while achieving ear-making properties for capsule packaging can be a challenge. The aluminum alloys described herein can exhibit good earing and mechanical properties, even when reduced in weight. The aluminum alloy product may exhibit less than 2.0% earing under O temper. In certain examples, the aluminum alloy product exhibits less than 1.5% earing at O temper. The aluminum alloy product can include a thickness of about 30 μm to about 170 μm (e.g., about 50 μm to less than about 150 μm or about 80 μm to about 140 μm). In some cases, the aluminum alloy product includes a thickness of about 70 μm to about 120 μm (e.g., about 75 μm to less than about 115 μm or about 90 μm to about 110 μm). The aluminum alloy product can have an ultimate tensile strength of about 165MPa to about 190MPa (e.g., about 170MPa to less than about 185MPa or about 175MPa to about 180MPa) when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product has a 0.2% yield strength at strain of 70MPa to 90MPa (e.g., about 75MPa to less than about 90MPa or about 80MPa to about 85MPa) when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper. Using the a100 test geometry, the aluminum alloy product can have a total elongation of at least 10% when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting examples.

Drawings

The specification makes reference to the following drawings, in which the use of the same reference numbers in different drawings is intended to indicate the same or similar parts.

Fig. 1A and 1B are side and perspective views, respectively, of a beverage capsule according to one example of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a beverage capsule according to one example of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a beverage capsule according to one example of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Aluminum alloy products, such as aluminum alloy capsules, aluminum alloy products with high recycle content, and methods of making the products are described herein. The aluminum alloy products and methods described herein provide improved aluminum alloy products with reduced use of raw materials. For example, the aluminum alloy products described herein can include recycled aluminum (e.g., at least 50 wt.% or at least 80 wt.% recycled aluminum) as compared to conventional aluminum alloy products for aluminum alloy capsules. The aluminum alloy products described herein have superior strength properties compared to capsules and other packaging products made from conventional 8xxx series aluminum alloys.

In some examples, an aluminum alloy capsule may include a dome-shaped body and a lid. The body defines a cavity configured to contain a substance for preparing a beverage. The capsule may comprise a 3xxx series aluminum alloy. Optionally, the 3xxx series aluminum alloy may include at least 50 wt.% recycled aluminum.

Definition and description:

the terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention," and "the invention" as used herein are intended to refer broadly to all subject matter of the present patent application and the claims that follow. Statements containing these terms should not be understood to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below.

In this specification, reference is made to alloys identified by aluminium industry designations such as "series" or "3 xxx". The numbering nomenclature most commonly used to name and identify Aluminum and its Alloys is known and is referred to as "International Alloy Designations and Chemical Compositions Limits for Wurough Aluminum and Wurough Aluminum Alloys" or "Registration Record of Aluminum Association derivatives and Chemical Compositions Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Alloys", both of which are issued by the American Aluminum Association.

As used herein, the meaning of "a", "an", or "the" includes both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, a plate typically has a thickness of greater than about 15 mm. For example, a plate may refer to an aluminum product having a thickness greater than about 15mm, greater than about 20mm, greater than about 25mm, greater than about 30mm, greater than about 35mm, greater than about 40mm, greater than about 45mm, greater than about 50mm, or greater than about 100 mm.

As used herein, sauter board (also referred to as sheet board) typically has a thickness of about 4mm to about 15 mm. For example, the thickness of the sauter plate can be about 4mm, about 5mm, about 6mm, about 7mm, about 8mm, about 9mm, about 10mm, about 11mm, about 12mm, about 13mm, about 14mm, or about 15 mm.

As used herein, sheet material generally refers to an aluminum product having a thickness of less than about 4 mm. For example, the sheet may have a thickness of less than about 4mm, less than about 3mm, less than about 2mm, less than about 1mm, less than about 0.5mm, less than about 0.3mm, or less than about 0.1 mm.

As used herein, the term foil refers to an alloy having a thickness in the range of up to about 0.2mm (i.e., 200 micrometers (μm)). For example, the foil may have a thickness of up to 10 μm, 20 μm, 30 μm, 40 μm, 50 μm, 60 μm, 70 μm, 80 μm, 90 μm, 100 μm, 110 μm, 120 μm, 130 μm, 140 μm, 150 μm, 160 μm, 170 μm, 180 μm, 190 μm or 200 μm.

As used herein, terms such as "cast metal product," "cast aluminum alloy product," and the like are interchangeable and refer to a product produced by direct chill casting (including direct chill co-casting) or semi-continuous casting, continuous casting (including, for example, by using a twin belt caster, twin roll caster, block caster or any other continuous caster), electromagnetic casting, hot top casting, or any other casting method.

As used herein, the term metal product may refer to any suitable shape or size of a cast product, as appropriate.

Reference is made in this application to alloy tempers or conditions. For the most commonly used Alloy Temper descriptions, see "American National Standards (ANSI) H35 on Alloy and Temper Designation Systems". The F temper means an aluminum alloy at the time of production. O temper or temper refers to the annealed aluminum alloy. The Hxx temper (also referred to herein as H temper) refers to a non-heat treatable aluminum alloy after cold rolling with or without heat treatment (e.g., annealing).

All ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of "1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and including 1 and 10) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more (e.g., 1 to 6.1) and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10).

The following aluminum alloys are described in terms of their elemental compositions in weight percent (wt.%) based on the total weight of the alloy. In certain examples of each alloy, the balance is aluminum, and the maximum weight% of the total of impurities is 0.15%.

As used herein, the term reclaimed waste (e.g., reclaimed material) can refer to a collection of reclaimed metals. The recycled waste material may include material recycled from any suitable source, such as from a metal production facility (e.g., a metal casting facility), from a metal processing facility (e.g., a production facility that uses metal products to make consumable products), from a post-consumer source (e.g., a regional recycling facility), or other source. Certain aspects of the present disclosure may be well suited for recycling waste from sources outside of metal production facilities, as such recycled waste may contain alloy mixtures or be mixed with other impurities or elements (e.g., such as paints or coatings). The recycled scrap may refer to recycled aluminum, such as recycled aluminum sheet products (e.g., aluminum pots and pans), recycled cast aluminum products (e.g., aluminum grills and rims), UBC scrap (e.g., used beverage cans), aluminum wire, and other aluminum materials.

As used herein, the term earing in relation to measurement refers to the average earing of cup heights:

aluminum alloy and product

Described herein are aluminum alloy products and methods of making aluminum alloy products. Products described herein include, for example, aluminum alloy capsules. Such products may be used, for example, as beverage capsules.

In some examples, the aluminum alloy capsule includes a domed body including a lip. The lip extends outwardly from the body. The body defines a cavity configured to contain a substance for preparing a beverage. The capsule may further comprise a lid secured with the lip. The lid may form a seal around the lip of the body to seal the substance within the body. The substance contained in the capsule for preparing the beverage may include coffee, tea, cocoa, concentrates of dairy drinks, lemonade, cider and fruit drinks, etc.

In some examples, the body may include a 3xxx series aluminum alloy. In some examples, the lid may also comprise a 3xxx series aluminum alloy. Optionally, the body and the lid may comprise a 3xxx series aluminum alloy. The 3xxx series aluminum alloys used for the body and the lid may be the same or different types of alloys.

The aluminum alloys used in the products and methods described herein include 3xxx series aluminum alloys. Suitable 3xxx series aluminum alloys include, for example, AA3002, AA3102, AA3003, AA3103A, AA3103B, AA3203, AA3403, AA3004A, AA3104, AA3204, AA3304, AA3005A, AA3105A, AA3105B, AA3007, AA3107, AA3207A, AA3307, AA3009, AA3010, AA3110, AA3011, AA3012A, AA3013, AA3014, AA3015, AA3016, AA3017, AA3019, AA3020, AA3021, AA3025, AA3026, AA3030, AA3130, and AA 3065.

In some examples, an aluminum alloy product described herein includes manganese (Mn) in an amount of about 0.1% to about 2.0% (e.g., about 0.1% to about 1.5% or about 0.5% to about 1.5%) based on the total weight of the alloy-e.g., an aluminum alloy product can include 0.1%, 0.11%, 0.12%, 0.13%, 0.14%, 0.15%, 0.16%, 0.17%, 0.18%, 0.19%, 0.2%, 0.21%, 0.22%, 0.23%, 0.24%, 0.25%, 0.26%, 0.27%, 0.28%, 0.29%, 0.3%, 0.31%, 0.32%, 033%, 0.34%, 0.35%, 0.36%, 0.37%, 0.38%, 0.39%, 0.4%, 0.41%, 0.42%, 0.43%, 0.44%, 0.45%, 0.46%, 0.47%, 0.48%, 0.5%, 0.37%, 0.38%, 0.54%, 0.51%, 0.55%, 0.51%, 0.55%, 0.51%, 0.60%, 0., 0.71%, 0.72%, 0.73%, 0.74%, 0.75%, 0.76%, 0.77%, 0.78%, 0.79%, 0.8%, 0.81%, 0.82%, 0.83%, 0.84%, 0.85%, 0.86%, 0.87%, 0.88%, 0.89%, 0.9%, 0.91%, 0.92%, 0.93%, 0.94%, 0.95%, 0.96%, 0.97%, 0.98%, 0.99%, 1.0%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 1.8%, 1.9%, or 2.0% manganese. All amounts are expressed in weight%.

In some examples, the aluminum alloy products described herein include magnesium (Mg) in an amount of about 0.1% to about 2.0% (e.g., about 0.1% to about 1.5% or about 0.5% to about 1.5%) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the aluminum alloy product may include 0.1%, 0.11%, 0.12%, 0.13%, 0.14%, 0.15%, 0.16%, 0.17%, 0.18%, 0.19%, 0.2%, 0.21%, 0.22%, 0.23%, 0.24%, 0.25%, 0.26%, 0.27%, 0.28%, 0.29%, 0.3%, 0.31%, 0.32%, 033%, 0.34%, 0.35%, 0.36%, 0.37%, 0.38%, 0.39%, 0.4%, 0.41%, 0.42%, 0.43%, 0.44%, 0.45%, 0.46%, 0.47%, 0.48%, 0.49%, 0.5%, 0.51%, 0.52%, 0.53%, 0.54%, 0.55%, 0.56%, 0.57%, 0.58%, 0.59%, 0.6%, 0.61%, 0.63%, 0.65%, 0.51%, 0.52%, 0.53%, 0.54%, 0.55%, 0.56%, 0.57%, 0.58%, 0.59%, 0.6%, 0.66%, 0.81%, 0.67%, 0.81%, 0.66%, 0.0.0.67%, 0.0.82%, 0.80%, 0.9%, 0.73%, 0.9%, 0.80%, 0.9%, 0.76%, 0., 0.92%, 0.93%, 0.94%, 0.95%, 0.96%, 0.97%, 0.98%, 0.99%, 1.0%, 1.1%, 1.2%, 1.3%, 1.4%, 1.5%, 1.6%, 1.7%, 1.8%, 1.9%, or 2.0% magnesium. All amounts are expressed in weight%.

In some examples, the aluminum alloy products described herein include silicon (Si) in an amount up to about 1.5 wt.% (e.g., about 0.01% to about 1.50%, about 0.20% to about 1.0%, or about 0.3% to about 0.9%) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, the aluminum alloy product may include 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.03%, 0.04%, 0.05%, 0.06%, 0.07%, 0.08%, 0.09%, 0.10%, 0.11%, 0.12%, 0.13%, 0.14%, 0.15%, 0.16%, 0.17%, 0.18%, 0.19%, 0.20%, 0.21%, 0.22%, 0.23%, 0.24%, 0.25%, 0.26%, 0.27%, 0.28%, 0.29%, 0.30%, 0.31%, 0.32%, 033%, 0.34%, 0.35%, 0.36%, 0.37%, 0.38%, 0.39%, 0.40%, 0.41%, 0.42%, 0.43%, 0.44%, 0.45%, 0.46%, 0.47%, 0.48%, 0.49%, 0.50%, 0.51%, 0.52%, 0.53%, 0.54%, 0.42%, 0.43%, 0.44%, 0.45%, 0.46%, 0.75%, 0.60%, 0.75%, 0.66%, 0.60%, 0.75%, 0., 0.83%, 0.84%, 0.85%, 0.86%, 0.87%, 0.88%, 0.89%, 0.90%, 0.91%, 0.92%, 0.93%, 0.94%, 0.95%, 0.96%, 0.97%, 0.98%, 0.99%, 1.0%, 1.01%, 1.02%, 1.03%, 1.04%, 1.05%, 1.06%, 1.07%, 1.08%, 1.09%, 1.10%, 1.11%, 1.12%, 1.13%, 1.14%, 1.15%, 1.16%, 1.17%, 1.18%, 1.19%, 1.20%, 1.21%, 1.22%, 1.23%, 1.24%, 1.25%, 1.26%, 1.27%, 1.28%, 1.29%, 1.30%, 1.31%, 1.32%, 1.33%, 1.34%, 1.35%, 1.36%, 1.38%, 1.42%, 1.46%, 1.42%, 1.46%, 1.50%, 1.17%, 1.18%, 1.19%, 1.20%, 1.21%, 1.22%, 1.23%, 1.24%, 1.25%, 1.38%, 1.28%, 1.38%, 1.42%, 1.48%, or 1.46% Si. In some cases, Si is not present in the alloy (i.e., 0%). All amounts are expressed in weight%.

Optionally, the aluminum alloy products described herein may also include other trace elements, sometimes referred to as impurities, in an amount of 0.05% or less, 0.04% or less, 0.03% or less, 0.02% or less, or 0.01% or less. These impurities may include, but are not limited to, Zr, Sn, Ga, Ca, Bi, Na, Pb, or combinations thereof. Thus, Zr, Sn, Ga, Ca, Bi, Na, or Pb may be present in the alloy (in total) in an amount of 0.05% or less, 0.04% or less, 0.03% or less, 0.02% or less, or 0.01% or less. In some cases, the sum of all impurities does not exceed 0.15% (e.g., 0.10%). All amounts are expressed in weight%. The remaining percentage of the alloy may be aluminum.

Optionally, the aluminum alloy products described herein include recycled scrap in an amount of about 50 wt.% or greater than about 50 wt.% (e.g., greater than about 60%, greater than about 70%, or greater than about 80%) based on the total weight of the alloy. For example, an aluminum alloy product can include 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%. All amounts are expressed in weight%.

In some cases, recycling the scrap includes recycling aluminum scrap, such as Used Beverage Can (UBC) scrap. UBC scrap, for example, typically comprises a mixture of metals from various alloys, such as metals from can bodies (e.g., AA3104, AA3004, or other 3xxx series aluminum alloys) and can lids (e.g., AA5182, or other 5xxx series aluminum alloys). Other recycled scrap includes other alloy mixtures. In addition, the recycled scrap may contain other impurities and alloying elements that end up in the liquid metal when the recycled scrap is melted. Recycling aluminum may include process turnaround scrap aluminum, post-manufacture scrap aluminum, and/or post-consumer scrap aluminum. Turnaround scrap is generated during the manufacture of aluminum products (e.g., ingot scalping and edge trimming during the production of aluminum sheet). Post-manufacturing scrap is generated during the manufacturing process of aluminum alloy products (e.g., automobile part production scrap and beverage can stamping waste). Post-consumption is the waste (e.g., used beverage cans) that is generated after the consumer has finished using the product.

Various products can be produced that include the aluminum alloys described herein. The aluminum alloy products described herein can have any suitable gauge. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product may be a sheet. Optionally, the sheet gauge is less than about 240 μm (e.g., about 170 μm to less than about 240 μm, about 180 μm to about 230 μm, or about 190 μm to about 220 μm). For example, the sheet can have a gauge of about 170 μm, 175 μm, 180 μm, 185 μm, 190 μm, 195 μm, 200 μm, 205 μm, 210 μm, 215 μm, 220 μm, 225 μm, 230 μm, 235 μm, or 240 μm. The products described herein may have a thickness of less than 170 μm. In some embodiments, the aluminum alloy capsules comprise a thickness of about 30 μm to about 170 μm (e.g., about 50 μm to less than about 150 μm or about 75 μm to about 120 μm). For example, the aluminum alloy capsule can have a thickness of about 30 μm, 35 μm, 40 μm, 45 μm, 50 μm, 55 μm, 60 μm, 65 μm, 70 μm, 75 μm, 80 μm, 85 μm, 90 μm, 95 μm, 100 μm, 105 μm, 110 μm, 115 μm, 120 μm, 125 μm, 130 μm, 135 μm, 140 μm, 145 μm, 150 μm, 155 μm, 160 μm, 165 μm, or 170 μm. Optionally, the aluminum alloy capsules can have a thickness of about 70 μm to 120 μm (e.g., about 70 μm to less than about 110 μm or about 80 μm to about 100 μm).

Turning to the drawings, fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B illustrate perspective views of a beverage capsule according to various examples described herein. The capsule 100 comprises a dome-shaped body 101. As shown in the example shown in the figures, the height and curvature of the dome-shaped body 101 may vary. The body 101 includes a lip 102 extending from the body 101. As shown in fig. 3, the body 101 defines a cavity 104 that can contain a substance 105. Cover 103 may span the opening of cavity 104 and secure with lip 102 to seal substance 105 within cavity 104 of capsule 100 until capsule 100 is ready for use.

Performance of aluminium alloy products

The resulting metal product as described herein has a combination of desirable properties, including high strength and high formability in the O temper. In this tempered state, the aluminum alloy product can exhibit an ultimate tensile strength of from about 110MPa to about 195MPa (e.g., from about 170MPa to less than about 185MPa, from about 120MPa to about 195MPa, from about 125MPa to about 145MPa, or from about 165MPa to about 195 MPa). For example, the ultimate tensile strength can be about 110MPa, 115MPa, 120MPa, 125MPa, 130MPa, 135MPa, 140MPa, 145MPa, 150MPa, 155MPa, 160MPa, 165MPa, 170MPa, 175MPa, 180MPa, 185MPa, 190MPa, or 195 MPa. In some examples, the aluminum alloy product has a 0.2% yield strength at strain of about 45MPa to about 85MPa (e.g., about 75MPa to less than about 85MPa, about 65MPa to about 80MPa, about 45MPa to about 75MPa, or about 55MPa to about 85 MPa). For example, the yield strength can be about 45MPa, 50MPa, 55MPa, 60MPa, 65MPa, 70MPa, 75MPa, 80MPa, or 85 MPa. Using the a100 test geometry, the aluminum alloy product can exhibit a total elongation of at least about 10% (e.g., at least about 13%, at least about 15%, at least about 17%, or at least about 18%). For example, using the a100 test geometry, the total elongation may be about 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, or 22%.

The aluminum alloys described herein can exhibit good earing properties, which is a complex function of microstructure and process interactions, as well as good mechanical properties, even when reduced (e.g., thinner). For example, the aluminum alloy product may exhibit less than 2.0% earing in an O temper. In certain examples, the aluminum alloy product exhibits less than 1.5% earing at O temper. For example, the aluminum alloy product can exhibit less than 2.0%, less than 1.9%, less than 1.8%, less than 1.7%, less than 1.6%, less than 1.5%, less than 1.4%, less than 1.3%, less than 1.2%, less than 1.1%, less than 1.0%, less than 0.9%, less than 0.8%, less than 0.7%, less than 0.6%, less than 0.5% earing, less than 0.4% earing, less than 0.3% earing, less than 0.2% earing, or less than 0.1% earing.

Table 1 shows the performance of the aluminium alloy products according to the examples described herein compared to conventional AA8011A products. For most aluminum alloys, higher strength provides lower fracture resistance during deformation. The processability of these high strength materials during the beverage capsule manufacturing process is unexpected.

TABLE 1

	AA3104-O	AA3105-O	AA8011A-O
				Ultimate tensile strength	165-195MPa	110-135MPa	90-115MPa
Yield strength	65-85MPa	45-75MPa	35-55MPa
				Elongation percentage	>10-13％	>10％	>17％

The increase in tensile strength and yield strength mentioned in table 1 can be maintained during the weight loss. The increased strength compared to conventional products may reduce damage to the aluminum alloy product during shipping and handling. In some examples, increased tensile and yield strength may allow for the use of extended processing conditions, such as increased pressure in a beverage machine, as compared to conventional products. Table 2 shows the product ultimate tensile strength at various specifications for an aluminum alloy product according to one example described herein compared to a conventional product (test width 15 mm).

TABLE 2

Thickness of	AA3104	AA8011A
			100μm	--	150MPa
90μm	238MPa	--
			80μm	211MPa	--
70μm	185MPa	--

The high tensile strength at reduced gauge can reduce raw material use and operating costs compared to conventional 8xxx series aluminum alloy products.

An AA3104 aluminum alloy rolled to a specific gauge and heat treated to O temper may have different combinations of properties as shown in table 3. Table 3 shows: standard can body stock sheet AA3104 aluminium alloy which was worked to a final gauge of 90 μm by hot and cold rolling and annealed to O temper (variant a); similar alloys processed by similar routes, with reduced cold rolled gauge reduction (variant B); and a final variant C, in which the cold-rolled gauge reduction is reduced and an intermediate heat treatment with a cold reduction between 30% and 90% is carried out at a temperature between 150 ℃ and 400 ℃ for more than 10 minutes.

TABLE 3

AA3104-O	Variant A	Variant B	Variant C
				Tensile Strength (MPa)	182	182	178
Yield strength (MPa)	93	89	83
				Elongation percentage，A100(％)	11.9	11.5	12.2
Average ear preparation (%)	2.18	2.01	1.44
				% cube + Gaussian texture	7.3	5.9	3.4

Ear making is an important property of manufacturing beverage capsules because the cup rim height profile is not trimmed or cut (as is the case with beverage cans) and can affect the ability to form a lip and subsequent processes for attaching a closure. While each of the variants in table 3 achieved similar tensile properties, only variant C achieved the desired earing properties through specific modifications to the microstructure. The ear making requirement for a typical beverage capsule is a maximum of no more than 2%. Only variant C achieved a earing value of less than 2%.

Takesmanship is related to the crystal distribution of the grain orientation in the material, also known as crystallographic texture. Lower temper values for aluminum alloys can be achieved by balancing the crystal orientation (so-called brass and miller indices {011} <211>, S {123} <634> and Cu {112} <111>) obtained during cold rolling with the cubic fraction thereof, e.g., 001} <100> or gaussian {011} <100> that is increased during recrystallization due to annealing at temperatures above 300 ℃. The texture of the typical can body material 3104-H19 is very different from the texture of the aluminum alloys described herein. Table 4 shows texture values for several variations of 3104-H19 and 3104-O. A microstructure threshold in terms of the ratio of (cubic + gaussian)/(brass + S + Cu) can be targeted to achieve specific auristillation properties.

TABLE 4

		Cubic + gauss	Brass + S + Cu	Ratio of
					3104-H19	Variant 1	2.27	28.23	0.08
3104-H19	Variant 2	1.94	29.99	0.06
					3104-O	Variant A	9.00	4.57	1.97
3104-O	Variant B	8.11	5.29	1.53
					3104-O	Variant C	4.98	4.59	1.08

Manufacturing method

The aluminum alloys described above may be cast into cast products. The scrap may be melted into liquid metal prior to casting. Optionally, the liquid metal may be degassed to reduce the amount of hydrogen dissolved in the liquid metal. Any suitable degassing technique may be used. Optionally, alloying elements may be added to the liquid metal to form a modified liquid metal. In some examples, the alloying element includes manganese and/or magnesium. Optionally, the alloying element may include silicon.

The alloy may be cast using any casting process performed according to standards commonly used in the aluminum industry known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the alloy may be cast using a Continuous Casting (CC) process, which may include, but is not limited to, the use of twin-belt casters, twin-roll casters, or block casters. In some examples, the casting process is performed by a CC process to form a cast product, such as a billet, slab, sauter plate, strip, and the like. In some examples, the casting process is performed by a Direct Chill (DC) casting process to form a cast product, such as an ingot. In some examples, the casting process is performed by a strip casting method. The cast product may then be subjected to further processing steps. Such processing steps include, but are not limited to: a heating step, a hot rolling step, a cold rolling step and/or an annealing step. Optionally, the heating step may comprise homogenizing the cast aluminum alloy.

Heating of

The heating step may include: a cast aluminum alloy product, such as an ingot, prepared from the aluminum alloy composition is heated to reach a Peak Metal Temperature (PMT) of about or at least about 450 ℃ (e.g., at least about 460 ℃, at least about 470 ℃, at least about 480 ℃, at least about 490 ℃, at least about 500 ℃, at least about 510 ℃, at least about 520 ℃, at least about 530 ℃, at least about 540 ℃, at least about 550 ℃, at least about 560 ℃, at least about 570 ℃, at least about 580 ℃, at least about 590 ℃, at least about 600 ℃, or at least about 610 ℃). For example, the cast aluminum alloy product can be heated to a temperature of about 450 ℃ to about 610 ℃, about 460 ℃ to about 590 ℃, about 470 ℃ to about 580 ℃, about 480 ℃ to about 565 ℃, about 490 ℃ to about 555 ℃, or about 500 ℃ to about 550 ℃. In some cases, the heating rate to the PMT may be about 100 ℃/h or less, 75 ℃/h or less, 50 ℃/h or less, 40 ℃/h or less, 30 ℃/h or less, 25 ℃/h or less, 20 ℃/h or less, or 15 ℃/h or less. In other cases, the heating rate to the PMT can be from about 10 ℃/min to about 100 ℃/min (e.g., from about 10 ℃/min to about 90 ℃/min, from about 10 ℃/min to about 70 ℃/min, from about 10 ℃/min to about 60 ℃/min, from about 20 ℃/min to about 90 ℃/min, from about 30 ℃/min to about 80 ℃/min, from about 40 ℃/min to about 70 ℃/min, or from about 50 ℃/min to about 60 ℃/min).

In some cases, the heating step comprises: a cast aluminum alloy is homogenized, wherein the cast aluminum alloy product is soaked (i.e., maintained at a specified temperature) for a period of time. In some cases, the cast aluminum alloy product is soaked at the peak metal temperature as described above for at least 30 minutes. According to one non-limiting example, the cast aluminum alloy product is soaked for up to about 36 hours (e.g., from about 30 minutes to about 36 hours, inclusive). For example, the cast aluminum alloy product may be immersed at the metal peak temperature for 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 7 hours, 8 hours, 9 hours, 10 hours, 11 hours, 12 hours, 13 hours, 14 hours, 15 hours, 16 hours, 17 hours, 18 hours, 19 hours, 20 hours, 21 hours, 22 hours, 23 hours, 24 hours, 25 hours, 26 hours, 27 hours, 28 hours, 29 hours, 30 hours, 31 hours, 32 hours, 33 hours, 34 hours, 35 hours, 36 hours, or any time therebetween.

Hot and cold rolling

After the homogenization step, a hot rolling step may be performed. The hot rolling step may include a hot reversible rolling mill operation and/or a hot continuous rolling mill operation. The hot rolling step may be performed at a temperature in the range of about 250 ℃ to about 600 ℃ (e.g., about 300 ℃ to about 550 ℃ or about 350 ℃ to about 450 ℃), or any other suitable temperature. In some examples, the tropical gauge may be about 1.5mm to about 10mm (e.g., about 2mm to about 8mm or about 4mm to about 6 mm). For example, the tropical gauge may be about 1.5mm, about 2mm, about 2.5mm, about 3mm, about 3.5mm, about 4mm, about 4.5mm, about 5mm, about 5.5mm, about 6mm, about 6.5mm, about 7mm, about 7.5mm, about 8mm, about 8.5mm, about 9mm, about 9.5mm, or about 10 mm.

After hot rolling, a cold rolling step may optionally be applied to form the aluminum alloy product. For example, the cast aluminum alloy product may be cold rolled to a thickness of less than about 4 mm. In some examples, the sheet may have a thickness of less than 4mm, less than 3mm, less than 2mm, less than 1mm, less than 0.9mm, less than 0.8mm, less than 0.7mm, less than 0.6mm, less than 0.5mm, less than 0.4mm, less than 0.3mm, less than 0.2mm, or less than 0.1 mm. Optionally, the sheet gauge is less than about 240 μm (e.g., about 170 μm to less than about 240 μm, about 180 μm to about 230 μm, or about 190 μm to about 220 μm). For example, the sheet can have a gauge of about 170 μm, 175 μm, 180 μm, 185 μm, 190 μm, 195 μm, 200 μm, 205 μm, 210 μm, 215 μm, 220 μm, 225 μm, 230 μm, 235 μm, or 240 μm. Optionally, the sheet gauge is less than about 170 μm (e.g., about 30 μm to less than about 170 μm, about 180 μm to about 230 μm, or about 190 μm to about 220 μm). For example, the sheet can have a gauge of about 30 μm, 35 μm, 40 μm, 45 μm, 50 μm, 55 μm, 60 μm, 65 μm, 70 μm, 75 μm, 80 μm, 85 μm, 90 μm, 95 μm, 100 μm, 105 μm, 110 μm, 115 μm, 120 μm, 125 μm, 130 μm, 135 μm, 140 μm, 145 μm, 150 μm, 155 μm, 160 μm, 165 μm, or 170 μm.

In some examples, the cold rolling step may be applied using multiple passes, one of which is intermediate annealing the aluminum alloy product between the multiple passes. In certain examples, the aluminum alloy product may be processed to an H18 or H19 temper to temper the aluminum alloy product prior to the annealing step.

Tempering

The process of producing an aluminum alloy product as disclosed herein can produce a recrystallized (e.g., O-temper) aluminum product and can be described as a "soft" material. In some examples, the process may include a heat treatment including a final step of full soft annealing as an intermediate and producing an O temper. Variant C differs from variants a and B in that it includes both an intermediate anneal and a final anneal, whereas a and B only undergo a final anneal process.

Degreasing

The methods described herein may optionally include at least one degreasing step applied to the aluminum alloy product. As used herein, the term "degreasing" includes processing the aluminum alloy product to remove residual oil that accumulates on the surface during hot and cold rolling. The degreasing step also removes residual surface debris, rolling oil and aluminum powder during rolling. The degreasing agent used in the degreasing step may comprise water and/or a solvent. In some cases, the degreasing agent may include an acidic agent or an alkaline agent. In some examples, the degreasing agent may be a mixture of phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid and fluoride. The pH of the acidic mixture may range from about 0 to about 5. In some examples, the degreaser may be a sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, or potassium carbonate mixture. The pH of the alkaline mixture may be in the range of about 8 to about 14. In certain examples, the degreaser may be a weakly acidic or a weakly alkaline solution having a pH in the range of about 5.5 to about 7.5.

Methods of use and downstream processing

The aluminum alloy products and methods described herein may be used to prepare packaging or any other desired application. In some examples, the aluminum alloy products and methods can be used to prepare beverage capsules. In some examples, the aluminum alloy products and methods may be used for food packaging or other product packaging products.

Exemplary embodiments of suitable alloys, products, and methods

As used below, any reference to a series of exemplary alloys, products, or methods should be understood as an optional reference to each of these alloys, products, or methods (e.g., "exemplary embodiments 1-4" should be understood as "exemplary embodiments 1, 2, 3, or 4").

Exemplary embodiment 1 is an aluminum alloy capsule comprising: a dome-shaped body including a lip extending outwardly from the body; and a lid secured with the lip, wherein the body defines a cavity configured to contain a substance for preparing a beverage, and the lid forms a seal around the lip of the body to seal the substance within the body until the capsule is ready for use, and wherein at least one of the body and the lid comprises a 3xxx series aluminum alloy.

Exemplary embodiment 2 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes AA 3104.

Exemplary embodiment 3 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes AA 3105.

Exemplary embodiment 4 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes at least 50 wt.% recycled aluminum.

Exemplary embodiment 5 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes at least 80 wt.% recycled aluminum.

Exemplary embodiment 6 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the recycled aluminum comprises at least one of process turnaround waste aluminum, post-manufacture waste aluminum, or post-consumer waste aluminum.

Exemplary embodiment 7 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes at least one of manganese or magnesium.

Exemplary embodiment 8 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy is processed to produce an O temper alloy.

Exemplary embodiment 9 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy exhibits less than 2.0% earing under O-temper.

Exemplary embodiment 10 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy exhibits a texture component ratio (cubic + gauss)/(brass + S + Cu) of between 0.5 and 1.5.

Exemplary embodiment 11 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy exhibits less than 1.5% earing under O-temper.

Exemplary embodiment 12 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy exhibits a texture component ratio (cubic + gauss)/(brass + S + Cu) of between 0.8 and 1.2.

Exemplary embodiment 13 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy capsule comprises a thickness of 30 μ ι η to 170 μ ι η.

Exemplary embodiment 14 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy capsule comprises a thickness of 70 μ ι η to 120 μ ι η.

Exemplary embodiment 15 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy has an ultimate tensile strength of 110MPa to 195MPa when the aluminum alloy is in an O temper.

Exemplary embodiment 16 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy has a 0.2% yield strength at strain of 45MPa to 85MPa when the aluminum alloy is in an O temper.

Exemplary embodiment 17 is the aluminum alloy capsule of any previous embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy has a total elongation of at least 10% when the aluminum alloy is in an O temper.

Exemplary embodiment 18 is a method of producing an aluminum alloy product, comprising: melting the recovered aluminum into liquid metal; adding an alloying element to the liquid metal to form a modified liquid metal, the alloying element comprising at least one of manganese or magnesium; casting the modified liquid metal to form a cast aluminum alloy, wherein the modified liquid metal comprises at least 50 wt.% recycled aluminum; heating the cast aluminum alloy; hot rolling the cast aluminum alloy to produce a rolled product comprising a thickness of 1.5mm to 10 mm; cold rolling the rolled product to produce an aluminum alloy product comprising a thickness of 30 to 170 μ ι η; and annealing the aluminum alloy product to produce an O-temper product.

Exemplary embodiment 19 is the method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein heating the cast aluminum alloy comprises: homogenizing the cast aluminum alloy.

Exemplary embodiment 20 is the method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, further comprising: performing a plurality of passes during the cold rolling step and intermediate annealing the aluminum alloy product between the plurality of passes of the cold rolling step.

Exemplary embodiment 21 is the method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the product is processed to H18 or H19 temper prior to the annealing step.

Exemplary embodiment 22 is the method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, further comprising: after cold rolling the rolled product, the aluminum alloy product is cleaned with a weakly basic or weakly acidic agent.

Exemplary embodiment 23 is the method of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the modified liquid metal comprises at least 80 wt.% recycled aluminum.

Exemplary embodiment 24 is the method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the recycled aluminum comprises at least one of process turnaround scrap aluminum, post-manufacture scrap aluminum, or post-consumer scrap aluminum.

Exemplary embodiment 25 is an aluminum alloy product made according to the method of any of the previous embodiments.

The example embodiment 26 is the aluminum alloy product of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy product comprises a 3xxx series aluminum alloy.

Exemplary embodiment 27 is the aluminum alloy product of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy product exhibits earing of less than 2.0% when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

Exemplary embodiment 28 is the aluminum alloy product of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy product exhibits earing of less than 1.5% when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

Example embodiment 29 is the aluminum alloy product of any of the preceding or subsequent embodiments, wherein the aluminum alloy product exhibits less than 1.0% earing when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

Exemplary embodiment 30 is the aluminum alloy product of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy product comprises a thickness of 70 μ ι η to 120 μ ι η.

Exemplary embodiment 31 is the aluminum alloy product of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an ultimate tensile strength of 110MPa to 195MPa when the aluminum alloy product is in the O temper.

Exemplary embodiment 32 is the aluminum alloy product of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a yield strength at 0.2% strain of 45MPa to 85MPa when the aluminum alloy product is in the O temper.

Exemplary embodiment 33 is the aluminum alloy product of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a total elongation of at least 10% when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

Exemplary embodiment 34 is the aluminum alloy product of any of the preceding or subsequent embodiments, wherein the aluminum alloy product is for packaging.

Exemplary embodiment 35 is the aluminum alloy product of any preceding or subsequent embodiment, wherein the aluminum alloy product is a package for preparing a beverage.

Exemplary embodiment 36 is the aluminum alloy product of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the aluminum alloy product is a beverage capsule.

All patents, publications, and abstracts cited above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Various embodiments of the present invention have been described in order to achieve various objects of the present invention. It should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Many modifications and variations of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from its spirit and scope, as defined in the following claims.

Claims (35)

1. An aluminum alloy capsule, comprising:

a dome-shaped body including a lip extending outwardly from the body; and

a cover secured with the lip,

wherein the body defines a cavity configured to contain a substance for preparing a beverage and the lid forms a seal around the lip of the body to seal the substance within the body until the capsule is ready for use, and

wherein at least one of the body and the lid comprises a 3xxx series aluminum alloy.

2. The aluminum alloy capsule of claim 1, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprises AA 3104.

3. The aluminum alloy capsule of claim 1, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy comprises AA 3105.

4. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-3, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes at least 50 wt.% recycled aluminum.

5. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-4, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes at least 80 wt.% recycled aluminum.

6. The aluminum alloy capsule of claim 4 or 5, wherein the recycled aluminum comprises at least one of process turn-around scrap aluminum, post-manufacturing scrap aluminum, or post-consumer scrap aluminum.

7. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-6, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy includes at least one of manganese or magnesium.

8. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-7, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy is processed to produce an O temper alloy.

9. The aluminum alloy capsule of claim 8, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy exhibits earing of less than 2.0% at O temper.

10. The aluminum alloy capsule of claim 9, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy exhibits a texture component ratio (cubic + gauss)/(brass + S + Cu) of between 0.5 and 1.5.

11. The aluminum alloy capsule of claim 8, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy exhibits earing of less than 1.5% at O temper.

12. The aluminum alloy capsule of claim 11, wherein the 3xxx series aluminum alloy exhibits a texture component ratio (cubic + gauss)/(brass + S + Cu) of between 0.8 and 1.2.

13. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-12, wherein the aluminum alloy capsule comprises a thickness of 30 μ ι η to 170 μ ι η.

14. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-13, wherein the aluminum alloy capsule comprises a thickness of 70 μ ι η to 120 μ ι η.

15. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-14, wherein the aluminum alloy has an ultimate tensile strength of 110MPa to 195MPa when the aluminum alloy is in an O temper.

16. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-15, wherein the aluminum alloy has a yield strength at 0.2% strain of 45MPa to 85MPa when the aluminum alloy is in an O temper.

17. The aluminum alloy capsule of any of claims 1-16, wherein the aluminum alloy has a total elongation of at least 13% when the aluminum alloy is in an O temper.

18. A method of producing an aluminum alloy product, comprising:

melting the recovered aluminum into liquid metal;

adding an alloying element to the liquid metal to form a modified liquid metal, the alloying element comprising at least one of manganese or magnesium;

casting the modified liquid metal to form a cast aluminum alloy, wherein the modified liquid metal comprises at least 50 wt.% recycled aluminum;

heating the cast aluminum alloy;

hot rolling the cast aluminum alloy to produce a rolled product comprising a thickness of 1.5mm to 10 mm;

cold rolling the rolled product to produce an aluminum alloy product comprising a thickness of 30 to 170 μ ι η; and

annealing the aluminum alloy product to produce an O-temper product.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein heating the cast aluminum alloy comprises: homogenizing the cast aluminum alloy.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, further comprising: performing a plurality of passes during the cold rolling step and intermediate annealing the aluminum alloy product between the plurality of passes of the cold rolling step.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the product is processed to H18 or H19 temper prior to the annealing step.

22. The method of any one of claims 18-21, further comprising: after cold rolling the rolled product, the aluminum alloy product is cleaned with a weakly basic or weakly acidic agent.

23. The method of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the modified liquid metal comprises at least 80 wt.% recycled aluminum.

24. The method of any one of claims 18-23, wherein the recycled aluminum comprises at least one of process turn-around scrap aluminum, post-manufacture scrap aluminum, or post-consumer scrap aluminum.

25. An aluminum alloy product made according to the method of any of claims 18-24.

26. The aluminum alloy product of claim 25, wherein the aluminum alloy product comprises a 3xxx series aluminum alloy.

27. The aluminum alloy product of claim 25 or 26, wherein the aluminum alloy product exhibits a earing of less than 3.0% when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

28. The aluminum alloy product of any of claims 25-27, wherein the aluminum alloy product exhibits earing of less than 1.0% when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

29. The aluminum alloy product of any of claims 25-28, wherein the aluminum alloy product comprises a thickness of 70 μ ι η to 120 μ ι η.

30. The aluminum alloy product of any of claims 25-29, wherein the aluminum alloy product has an ultimate tensile strength of 110MPa to 195MPa when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

31. The aluminum alloy product of any of claims 25-30, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a yield strength at 0.2% strain of 45MPa to 85MPa when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

32. The aluminum alloy product of any of claims 25-31, wherein the aluminum alloy product has a total elongation of at least 13% when the aluminum alloy product is in an O temper.

33. The aluminum alloy product of any of claims 25-32, wherein the aluminum alloy product is for packaging.

34. The aluminum alloy product of any of claims 25-33, wherein the aluminum alloy product is a package for preparing a beverage.

35. The aluminum alloy product of any of claims 25-34, wherein the aluminum alloy product is a beverage capsule.

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