| The aim of this research was to assess the influence of inter anneal and cold rolling processes on the key lithographic sheet properties. This was performed through the properties and microstructure characterization of industrial scale samples (annealed and cold rolled). The recrystallization kinetics were established through laboratory annealing experiments. A mathematical model was also used to study the annealing process and formulate further laboratory furnace simulations. From the above, it was shown that inter-annealing is a vital process for controlling a coil's microstructural uniformity. This is essential for consistent electrochemical roughening behaviour of the lithographic sheet. Moreover, it was shown that inter-annealing, together with final cold rolling, aids the control of the final products' tensile properties and thus on-press performance. |
