An aluminum can is a container for packaging made primarily of aluminum (BrE aluminium).[1] It is commonly used for foods and beverages but also for products such as oil, chemicals, and other liquids. Global production is 180 billion annually.[2]
Usage[edit]
Use of aluminum in cans began in 1957.[3] Aluminum offers greater malleability, resulting in ease of manufacture; this gave rise to the two-piece can, where all but the top of the can is simply stamped out of a single piece of aluminum, rather than laboriously constructed from two pieces of steel. A label is either printed directly on the side of the can or will be glued to the outside of the curved surface, indicating its contents.
Most aluminum cans are made of two pieces. The bottom and body are "drawn" or "drawn and ironed" from a flat plate or shallow cup. After filling, the can "end" is sealed onto the top of the can.
The advantages of aluminum over steel (tinplate) cans include;
- light weight
- competitive cost
- usage of easy-open aluminum ends: no need for a can opener
- clean appearance
- aluminum does not rust
The easy-open aluminum end for beverage cans was developed by Alcoa in 1962 for the Pittsburgh Brewing Company [4] and is now used in nearly 100% of the canned beer market. [5]
Recycling[edit]
Aluminum cans are often made with recycled aluminum; approximately 68% of a standard North American can is recycled aluminum. In 2012, 92% of the aluminum beverage cans sold in Switzerland were recycled.[6] Cans are the most recycled beverage container, at a rate of 69% worldwide.[7]
According to Alcoa Aluminum Company, in 2015 about 34 cans are required to achieve a weight of one pound. The unstated assumption is that most of those will be the normal 12-oz type can. Wise Recycling in Pensacola, FL also reported that the price they paid for aluminum cans varied, based on the published price of aluminum in the commodities market. They denied that there was a seasonal price flucuation, and stated that the nationally published commodity price was the sole determining factor in what they paid. Some recycle centers pay a slightly higher price (normally 2 cents) for 100 pounds or more of cans, while others pay the same price regardless of the weight being submitted.[8] Just as an observation, it seems that during the last ten years the metal in the cans has become slightly thinner, so that in 2004 it was this writer's understanding that a much smaller number of cans were required to achieve one pound. But perhaps in the future metal technology will increase the count per pound even higher.
One issue is that the top of the can is made from a blend of aluminum and magnesium to increase its strength. When the can is melted for recycling, the mixture is unsuitable for either the top or the bottom/side. Instead of mixing recycled metal with more aluminum (to soften it) or magnesium (to harden it), a new approach uses annealing to produce an alloy that works for both.[9]
See also[edit]
Notes and references[edit]
- ^ Soroka, W. Illustrated Glossary of Packaging Terminology (Second ed.). Institute of Packaging Professionals.
- ^ Waldman, Jonathan. "The Secret Life of the Aluminum Can, a Feat of Engineering". Wired (website). Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ^ Petroleum week, Volume 9, 1959, p. 82 (Google Books)
- ^ http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/about_alcoa/time_machine/time_machine_html.asp
- ^ http://bestinpackaging.com/2012/10/14/beverage-can-ends-and-its-opening-devices/
- ^ http://www.bafu.admin.ch/dokumentation/medieninformation/00962/index.html?lang=fr&msg-id=50084 (page visited on 4 November 2013).
- ^ PE America: Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Aluminum Beverage Cans. Final Report: 21 May 2010.
- ^ Based on telephone interviews conducted by Prof. Robert Hood, with Southern Recycling and Wise Recycling (both with offices in Pensacola, FL) on 22 Sept. 2015, and on the same date the corporate website for Alcoa, www.alcoa.com/recycling/en/info_page/earn_cash_how_much.asp.
- ^ Wald, Matthew L. "Toward a Greener Soda Can - NYTimes.com". Green.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
Bibliography[edit]
- Soroka, W, "Fundamentals of Packaging Technology", IoPP, 2002, ISBN 1-930268-25-4
- Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6