What Type Of Aluminum Is Used In Beverage Cans?

The origin of the can

The production of aluminum cans stems from the combination of an innovative idea and technology. Specifically, in 1959, ERNIE.C.FRAZE of DRT Company in Teton, Ohio, USA invented this metal container.

Frazee's design inspiration was to process the can lid material into a rivet, then put a pull ring on the rivet and rivet it tightly. At the same time, he also designed notches that match the pull tab so that the can lid can be opened smoothly along the notches when it is pulled open. This design not only makes the opening process simple and convenient, but also greatly improves the user experience.

This invention is of great significance in the history of the development of metal containers. It enabled metal containers to finally usher in a historic breakthrough after 50 years of long development. The emergence of aluminum cans not only simplified the opening process, but also quickly became widely used in the field of beverage and other liquid food packaging due to its durable, lightweight and recyclable characteristics.

Cans making materials

There are two materials for making cans: aluminum and tinplate. Due to the high recycling value of aluminum, out of environmental protection considerations, aluminum cans are increasingly used. Aluminum cans have the advantages of light weight, small size, not easily broken, and easy to carry, and are very popular among people.


Aluminum alloy is the key to can making. The can body is not shaped and the tab of the can lid cannot be opened. These are aluminum problems. Aluminum cans are usually made of a can body made of aluminum alloy plates that has been thinned and stretched multiple times and a can lid made of tinplate rolled and sealed. The aluminum materials used for the lid, pull ring, and can body have certain differences.

Aluminum can lid materials

5052 aluminum plate, 3104 aluminum plate
5052 aluminum plate is an AL-Mg alloy aluminum plate. Magnesium is the main alloy element in 5052 alloy aluminum plate. It is a widely used anti-rust aluminum. This alloy has high strength, especially fatigue resistance: plasticity and corrosion resistance. High, cannot be strengthened by heat treatment, has good plasticity during semi-cold work hardening, low plasticity during cold work hardening, good corrosion resistance, good weldability, poor machinability, and can be polished. It is very suitable for making the side walls and base of cans. At the same time, it is also commonly used in fields such as shipbuilding and automobile manufacturing.

Requirements for aluminum alloy 5052/3104 aluminum plates for aluminum can lids

Plate shape and others

Flatness: The strip does not allow obvious waves, the wave height within 1 meter does not exceed 3mm, and the waves do not exceed 3/meter;

Side curvature: The side curvature of the product at any length of 2000mm should not be greater than 0.5mm;

Terminal warpage: Any product with a length of 1500mm is cut, and the height of the end warpage is ≤5mm;

Connectors: No connectors allowed.

Surface and end surface quality

Surface: No serious bubbles, missed coatings, scratches, corrosion, oil spots, peeling, stripes, color differences, spots, roller marks, periodicity, etc. that affect the appearance quality of the product are allowed. Burrs <=0.04mm;

End face: The end face is neat, rolled tightly without loose layers, staggered layer ≤ 2mm, tower shape ≤ 5mm;

Aluminum can pull ring material

5182 aluminum plate
5182 aluminum strip is the main aluminum alloy product for can pull tabs. Other parts of aluminum cans are also made of different types of aluminum alloy products, such as 3004, 5052, etc. are also used for the bottom of cans, 5052 is used for can lids, and 3004 is used For the aluminum alloy can body, because different parts have different requirements for the strength and tensile strength of the aluminum alloy, the alloys used are also different.

Features of 5182 aluminum plate

• Uniform thickness, flat plate shape, durable

The 5182 aluminum plate strip has a flat shape, ensuring stable post-processing; the thickness control is extremely precise, ensuring a thickness tolerance of ±0.005mm, fully meeting customer needs.

• Lightweight, heat-resistant, resistant to acid and alkali corrosion, durable

Aluminum cans have the advantages of light weight, heat resistance, good conductivity, odorless and non-toxic, and good printing effect. They can also resist acid and alkali corrosion, are durable, can be recycled, and are economical and environmentally friendly.

Requirements for 5182 aluminum alloy for aluminum can pull rings

Terminal warpage: Any product with a length of 1500mm is cut, and the height of the end warpage is ≤7mm;

5182 aluminum strip surface and end face quality requirements

Surface: No serious bubbles, missed coatings, scratches, corrosion, oil spots, peeling, stripes, color differences, spots, roller marks, periodicity, etc. that affect the appearance quality of the product are allowed.

Aluminum can body material

3004, 3104 aluminum plate
3004 aluminum alloy is a commonly used aluminum-magnesium-manganese alloy. The aluminum plate used for aluminum cans is mainly made of 3004 alloy. 3004 alloy is a variant alloy of 3003. It has good formability, weldability and corrosion resistance. It is mostly used in Processing requires products with good formability, high corrosion resistance and good weldability. Since aluminum itself has good oxidation resistance, it can be used in aluminum cans to prevent carbonated drinks from oxidizing and corroding the can body. The 3104 aluminum alloy is harder than the 3004 aluminum alloy and can be made into cans with relatively thin wall thickness. It also has good formability and corrosion resistance and is often used in the manufacture of can lids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are aluminum cans pure aluminum?

Aluminum cans are mainly made of aluminum alloy rather than pure aluminum. Pure aluminum has a low hardness and is not suitable for direct use in making aluminum cans or other products that require a certain level of strength. By adding other metal elements, such as copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, zinc, etc., aluminum alloys can be formed. These alloys have higher hardness, better processability and corrosion resistance, and are very suitable for making aluminum cans.

The commonly used alloy type for aluminum cans is 3004 aluminum alloy, which not only has good processing properties, but also provides sufficient strength while remaining lightweight. In addition, the interior walls of aluminum cans are often covered with a coating, such as epoxy resin, to prevent the aluminum from chemically reacting with the food or beverage inside the can.

How much money can you make recycling aluminum cans?

Generally speaking, aluminum can recycling prices will change based on metal market fluctuations. At certain times, the recycling price of cans may be relatively low, but overall, as a valuable metal, the recycling price of aluminum is usually considerable. Especially when aluminum cans are recycled and used in aluminum smelting, the price is often higher because aluminum smelters can use these recycled materials to produce new aluminum products, reducing production costs.

In addition, profits from recycling aluminum cans are also affected by the recycling process and processing costs. Recyclers need to sort, clean and process aluminum cans and then sell them to aluminum processing manufacturers or recycling processing companies. In this process, effective management and reduction of processing costs are the keys to improving profits.

Is it safe to consume food and/or drinks stored in aluminum/aluminum cans?

Aluminum cans are usually widely used in the packaging of food and beverages, such as carbonated drinks, juices, energy drinks, etc. This form of packaging has excellent sealing performance, which can effectively prevent the intrusion of air, oxygen, light and moisture, thereby maintaining the freshness and taste of the product, extending the shelf life, and ensuring the hygiene and safety of the product.

However, when it comes to the safety of food and beverages in aluminum cans, the main concern is the possible effects of aluminum on the human body. Aluminum has a strong affinity for brain cells, and excessive intake of aluminum may have certain effects on health, such as lowering intelligence. But in fact, aluminum cans usually have an inner coating on the inside, which is confirmed as a food-grade material after strict testing to prevent direct contact between aluminum and beverages. This means that, under normal circumstances, food and beverages in aluminum cans do not come into direct contact with the aluminum, reducing the risk of aluminum ingestion.

Still, if aluminum cans are exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time, it can cause the inner coating to peel off, increasing the risk of aluminum coming into contact with food or beverages. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid high temperature environments when storing food and beverages.