Method and apparatus for producing a solution heat treated sheet

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus suitable for accomplishing the method that significantly simplifies the process of making a solution heat treated feedstock. The method comprises continuously casing an aluminum alloy to produce a cast feedstock. Any apparatus which accomplishes continuous casting is appropriate for use with the present invention. Once the cast feedstock is formed, it is hot rolled and quenched during hot rolling to form the solution heat treated feedstock. The apparatus which accomplishes the method of the present invention comprises a continuous caster, at least one hot mill stand, and at least one quenching apparatus before or in the at least one hot mill stand.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for producing a solution heat treated feedstock, comprising the steps of: 
 a) continuously casting an aluminum alloy to form a cast feedstock;    b) hot rolling the cast feedstock;    c) quenching the cast feedstock at least one of before hot rolling and during hot rolling to form the solution heat treated feedstock.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of coiling the solution heat treated feedstock.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the hot rolling step occurs in a first hot mill stand and a second portion in a second hot mill stand and wherein the cast feedstock is quenched in both the first and second hot mill stands.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein a third portion of the hot rolling step occurs in a third hot mill stand and wherein the cast feedstock is quenched in the third hot mill stand.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 annealing the coiled solution heat treated feedstock;    cold rolling the solution heat treated feedstock to achieve a final gauge of the solution heat treated feedstock; and,    stabilizing the cold rolled solution heat treated feedstock.    
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 aging the coiled solution heat treated feedstock;    cold rolling the solution heat treated feedstock to achieve a final gauge of the solution heat treated feedstock.    
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the first hot mill stand reduces the temperature of the feedstock from at least about 900 degrees Fahrenheit to at least about 800 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the temperature of the cast feedstock is reduced in the second hot mill stand from at least about 800 degrees Fahrenheit to at least about 700 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the temperature of the cast feedstock is reduced in the third hot mill stand from at least about 800 degrees Fahrenheit to no more than about 550 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 1.4 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0.7 to 7.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.4 weight percent manganese, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0.15 to 2.0 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent iron, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent manganese, about 0.2 to 2.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent zinc, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 0.6 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0 to 3.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent manganese, about 3.0 to 9.0 weight percent zinc, about 0 to 4.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum alloy is chosen from a group consisting of the 2XXX series alloys, the 3XXX series alloys, the 6XXX series alloys and the 7XXX series alloys.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the first hot mill stand is in a range of about 900 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the second hot mill stand is in a range of about 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the third hot mill stand is in a range of about 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 900 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the quenching step in any hot mill stand occurs in no more than about  10  seconds.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the quenching step in any hot mill stand occurs in no more than about 8 seconds.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the quenching step in any hot mill stand occurs in no more than about 6 seconds.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the hot rolling step is in a range of about 0.50 inches to about 0.80 inches.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the second hot rolling stand is in a range of about 0.187 inches to about 0.300 inches.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the third hot rolling stand is in a range of about 0.090 inches to about 0.180 inches and wherein a gauge of the feedstock after the third hot rolling stand is no more than about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the hot rolling step effects a cumulative reduction in thickness of the cast feedstock in all hot mill stands in a range of about 15 to about 99 percent.  
     
     
         27 . A method for producing a solution heat treated feedstock, comprising the steps of: 
 a) melting an aluminum alloy to form a solid solution;    b) continuously casting the solution to form a cast feedstock;    c) hot rolling the cast feedstock wherein an input temperature of the cast feedstock is at least about 700 degrees Fahrenheit; and,    d) quenching the cast feedstock during hot rolling to form a solution heat treated feedstock, wherein the solution heat treated feedstock has a temperature after quenching of no more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit.    
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 27 , further comprising the step of coiling the solution heat treated feedstock.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein a first portion of the hot rolling step occurs in a first hot mill stand and a second portion in a second hot mill stand and wherein the cast feedstock is quenched in both the first and second hot mill stands.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein a third portion of the hot rolling step occurs in a third hot mill stand and wherein the cast feedstock is quenched in the third hot mill stand.  
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the first hot mill stand reduces the temperature of the feedstock from at least about 900 degrees Fahrenheit to at least about 800 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein the temperature of the cast feedstock is reduced in the second hot mill stand from at least about 800 degrees Fahrenheit to at least about 700 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the temperature of the cast feedstock is reduced in the third hot mill stand from at least about 800 degrees Fahrenheit to no more than about 550 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 1.4 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0.7 to 7.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.4 weight percent manganese, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0.15 to 2.0 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent iron, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent manganese, about 0.2 to 2.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent zinc, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 0.6 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0 to 3.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent manganese, about 3.0 to 9.0 weight percent zinc, about 0 to 4.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 38 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein the aluminum alloy is chosen from a group consisting of the 2XXX series alloys, the 3XXX series alloys, the 6XXX series alloys and the 7XXX series alloys.  
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the first hot mill stand is in a range of about 900 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the second hot mill stand is in a range of about 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the third hot mill stand is in a range of about 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 900 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the quenching step in any hot mill stand occurs in no more than about 10 seconds.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the quenching step in any hot mill stand occurs in no more than about 8 seconds.  
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the quenching step in any hot mill stand occurs in no more than about 6 seconds.  
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the hot rolling step is in a range of about 0.50 inches to about 0.80 inches.  
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the second hot rolling stand is in a range of about 0.187 inches to about 0.300 inches.  
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the third hot rolling stand is in a range of about 0.090 inches to about 0.180 inches and wherein a gauge of the feedstock after the third hot rolling stand is no more than about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 30 , wherein the hot rolling step effects a cumulative reduction in thickness of the cast feedstock in all hot mill stands in a range of about 15 to about 99 percent.  
     
     
         51 . A method of producing a solution heat treated feedstock, comprising the steps of: 
 a) melting an aluminum alloy to form a solid solution;    b) continuously casting the solution to form a cast feedstock;    c) hot rolling the cast feedstock; and,    d) quenching the hot rolled feedstock during hot rolling to form a solution heat treated feedstock, wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock is reduced in a range of about 500 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit in a time period of no more than about 10 seconds.    
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 51 , wherein a first portion of the hot rolling step occurs in a first hot mill stand and a second portion in a second hot mill stand and wherein the cast feedstock is quenched in both the first and second hot mill stands.  
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein a third portion of the hot rolling step occurs in a third hot mill stand and wherein the cast feedstock is quenched in the third hot mill stand.  
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein the first hot mill stand reduces the temperature of the feedstock from at least about 900 degrees Fahrenheit to at least about 800 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         55 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein the temperature of the cast feedstock is reduced in the second hot mill stand from at least about 850 degrees Fahrenheit to at least about 700 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 53 , wherein the temperature of the cast feedstock is reduced in the third hot mill stand from at least about 700 degrees Fahrenheit to no more than about 550 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 51 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 1.4 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0.7 to 7.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.4 weight percent manganese, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 51 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0.15 to 2.0 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent iron, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent manganese, about 0.2 to 2.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent zinc, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 59 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         61 . A method according to  claim 51 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 0.6 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0 to 3.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent manganese, about 3.0 to 9.0 weight percent zinc, about 0 to 4.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 61 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling step is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling step is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling step is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 51 , wherein the aluminum alloy is chosen from a group consisting of the 2XXX series alloys, the 3XXX series alloys, the 6XXX series alloys and the 7XXX series alloys.  
     
     
         64 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the first hot mill stand is in a range of about 900 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         65 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the second hot mill stand is in a range of about 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         66 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein a temperature of the cast feedstock before the third hot mill stand is in a range of about 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 900 degrees Fahrenheit.  
     
     
         67 . A method according to  claim 51 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the hot rolling step is in a range of about 0.50 inches to about 0.80 inches.  
     
     
         68 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the second hot rolling stand is in a range of about 0.187 inches to about 0.300 inches.  
     
     
         69 . A method according to  claim 53 , wherein a gauge of the cast feedstock before the third hot rolling stand is in a range of about 0.090 inches to about 0.180 inches and wherein a gauge of the feedstock after the third hot rolling stand is no more than about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         70 . A method according to  claim 53 , wherein the hot rolling step effects a cumulative reduction in thickness of the cast feedstock in all hot mill stands in a range of about 15 to about 99 percent.  
     
     
         71 . An apparatus for producing a solution heat treated feedstock, comprising: 
 a continuous caster operable cast an aluminum alloy to form a cast feedstock;    at least one hot mill stand operable to reduce the thickness of said cast feedstock;    at least one quenching apparatus in the at least one hot mill stand, said at least one quenching apparatus being operable to provide a quenching fluid to cool the cast feedstock before or in the at least one hot mill stand and form the solution heat treated feedstock.    
     
     
         72 . An apparatus according to  claim 71 , wherein the quenching fluid is selected from a group consisting of water, air, gases, lubricants, and a combination of these fluids.  
     
     
         73 . An apparatus according to  claim 71 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 1.4 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0.7 to 7.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.4 weight percent manganese, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         74 . A method according to  claim 73 , wherein an input temperature to the at least one hot rolling stand is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the at least one hot rolling stand is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the at least one hot rolling stand is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         75 . A method according to  claim 71 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0.15 to 2.0 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent iron, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent manganese, about 0.2 to 2.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent zinc, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         76 . A method according to  claim 75 , wherein an input temperature to the at least one hot rolling stand is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the at least one hot rolling stand is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the at least one hot rolling stand is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         77 . A method according to  claim 71 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 0.6 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0 to 3.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent manganese, about 3.0 to 9.0 weight percent zinc, about 0 to 4.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         78 . A method according to  claim 77 , wherein an input temperature to the at least one hot rolling stand is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the at least one hot rolling stand is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the at least one hot rolling stand is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         79 . An apparatus according to  claim 71 , wherein the aluminum alloy is chosen from a group consisting of the 2XXX series alloys, the 3XXX series alloys, the 6XXX series alloys and the 7XXX series alloys.  
     
     
         80 . An apparatus for producing a solution heat treated feedstock, comprising: 
 continuous casting means for casting an aluminum alloy to form a cast feedstock;    hot rolling means to reduce the thickness of said cast feedstock;    quenching means, said at least one quenching means providing a quenching fluid to cool the cast feedstock at least one of before and during hot rolling and form the solution heat treated feedstock.    
     
     
         81 . An apparatus according to  claim 80 , wherein the quenching fluid is selected from a group consisting of water, air, gases, lubricants, and a combination of these fluids.  
     
     
         82 . An apparatus according to  claim 80 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 1.4 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0.7 to 7.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.4 weight percent manganese, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         83 . A method according to  claim 81 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling means is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling means is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling means is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         84 . A method according to  claim 80 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0.15 to 2.0 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent iron, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.2 weight percent manganese, about 0.2 to 2.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 2.5 weight percent zinc, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         85 . A method according to  claim 84 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling means is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.80 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling means is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling means is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         86 . A method according to  claim 80 , wherein the aluminum alloy has a composition comprising: about 0 to 0.6 weight percent silicon, about 0 to 1.5 weight percent iron, about 0 to 3.0 weight percent copper, about 0 to 1.0 weight percent manganese, about 3.0 to 9.0 weight percent zinc, about 0 to 4.0 weight percent magnesium, about 0 to 0.5 weight percent zirconium, with the balance being aluminum with usual impurities.  
     
     
         87 . A method according to  claim 86 , wherein an input temperature to the hot rolling means is in the range of 700 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, an input gauge is in the range of about 0.90 to about 0.180 inches, a residence time in the hot rolling means is no more than about 10 seconds, an output temperature from the hot rolling means is in the range of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and an output gauge is in the range of about 0.060 inches to about 0.150 inches.  
     
     
         88 . An apparatus according to  claim 80 , wherein the aluminum alloy is chosen from a group consisting of the 2XXX series alloys, the 3XXX series alloys, the 6XXX series alloys and the 7XXX series alloys.