Method for manufacturing an aluminum tube

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an aluminum tube, an aluminum tube for further processing in at least one subsequent deformation process, as well as the use of the aluminum tube. The object of providing a simple method for manufacturing an aluminum tube with elevated deformation potential is solved by texturing the outer surface of the aluminum tube using temper rolls. The application of a texture using temper rolls yields a sufficiently high roughness on the surface of the aluminum tube on the one hand, so that the strain can be increased in subsequent deformation processes. On the other hand, while the roughening of the surface can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes, e.g., for straight bead welded or extruded aluminum tubes a swift and easy manufacture of the semi-finished product is enabled.

1 . A method for manufacturing an aluminum tube, characterized in that the outer surface of the aluminum tube is textured by means of the temper rolls.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that temper rolls are used with a surface machined according to the EDT or lasertex procedure.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that a straight bead welded aluminum tube is textured, and the texture is engraved prior to form rolling.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the texture is engraved alternatively or cumulatively before calibration rolling or during calibration rolling.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3  or  4 , characterized in that the texture is engraved alternatively or cumulatively after calibration rolling.  
     
     
         6 . An aluminum tube for further processing in at least one ensuing deformation procedure, in particular manufactured using a method according to one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that the outer surface ( 1 ) of the aluminum tube has a texture ( 2 ).  
     
     
         7 . The aluminum tube according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the texture ( 2 ) has roughness valleys and/or lubricant pockets ( 4 ) for storing lubricants.  
     
     
         8 . The aluminum tube according to  claim 6  or  7 , characterized in that the texture ( 2 ) has cup-like recesses ( 3 ).  
     
     
         9 . The aluminum tube according to one of  claims 6  to  8 , characterized in that the outer surface has an elevated surface roughness relative to temper rolled semi-finished sheet metal products.  
     
     
         10 . Use of an aluminum tube according to one of  claims 6  to  9  in a hydroforming procedure.