Textured work roll for a metal substrate

Abstract

A textured work roll can impart a desired texture on a metal substrate, such as an aluminum or aluminum alloy sheet. The textured work roll can be used for applying a gloss finish on the metal substrate. The textured work roll can be textured by grinding the work roll to form a ground work roll; electro-discharge texturing the work roll to form an electro-discharge textured work roll; and polishing the work roll to form a polished work roll. The polished work can have an Ra value between 0.30 μm and 0.70 μm. The polished work roll can be used to apply the gloss finish on the metal substrate.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of texturing a work roll comprising:
 grinding an unfinished work roll surface to form a ground work roll surface;   electro-discharge texturing the ground work roll surface to form an electro-discharge textured work roll surface; and   polishing the electro-discharge textured work roll surface to form a polished work roll surface for applying a gloss finish on a metal substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein grinding the unfinished work roll surface comprises grinding the unfinished work roll surface to form the ground work roll surface with an Ra value from about 0.30 μm to about 0.50 μm. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein electro-discharge texturing the ground work roll surface comprises electro-discharge texturing the ground work roll surface to form the electro-discharge textured work roll surface with an Ra value from about 0.50 μm to about 0.8 μm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electro-discharge textured work roll surface has an isotropic surface with minimal directionality. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein polishing the electro-discharge textured work roll surface comprises polishing the electro-discharge textured work roll surface to form the polished work roll surface that has an Ra value from about 0.30 μm to about 0.70 μm. 
     
     
         6 . A work roll prepared according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A work roll comprising:
 a surface having an Ra value between about 0.30 μm and about 0.70 μm after the work roll has been electro-discharge textured and polished.   
     
     
         8 . The work roll of  claim 7 , wherein the work roll is a cold mill work roll. 
     
     
         9 . A method for applying a gloss finish on a metal substrate, comprising:
 grinding a work roll to form a ground work roll;   electro-discharge texturing the ground work roll to form an electro-discharge textured work roll;   polishing the electro-discharge textured work roll to form a polished work roll;   inserting the polished work roll into a cold mill; and   cold rolling the metal substrate with the polished work roll for applying the gloss finish on the metal substrate.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the metal substrate is aluminum or an aluminum alloy sheet. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein grinding the work roll comprises grinding the work roll until the ground work roll has an Ra value between about 0.30 μm and about 0.50 μm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein electro-discharge texturing the ground work roll comprises electro-discharge texturing the ground work roll until the electro-discharge textured work roll has an Ra value between about 0.50 μm and about 0.8 μm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein polishing the electro-discharge textured work roll comprises polishing the electro-discharge textured work until the polished work roll has an Ra value between about 0.30 μm and about 0.70 μm. 
     
     
         14 . A product formed according to the method of  claim 9 , wherein the product is aluminum for canning. 
     
     
         15 . The product of  claim 14 , wherein the product is a can body, a can end, or a can tab. 
     
     
         16 . A method for applying a gloss finish on a metal substrate, comprising:
 cold rolling the metal substrate with a polished work roll, wherein the polished work roll has an Ra value between about 0.30 μm and about 0.70 μm after the polished work roll has been electro-discharge textured and polished.   
     
     
         17 . A metal strip rolled according to the method of  claim 16 , wherein the metal strip is an aluminum or aluminum alloy sheet.