Aluminum Cans

Aluminum Cans

In North America, the standard can size is 12 fluid ounces (355 ml). In India and most of Europe, standard cans are 330 ml. In some European countries there is a second standard can size, 500ml, often used for beer. In Australia the standard can size is 375 ml. South African standard cans are 340 ml although the industry is currently (September 2007) converting to the European 330 ml standard and the promotional size is changing from 450ml to 440ml.
All metal beverage cans made in the United States are manufactured from aluminium [4], whereas approximately 55 percent of drinks cans made in Europe and Asia are steel, and 45 percent aluminium alloy.
An empty aluminium can weighs approximately 15 grams (0.5 ounce). There are roughly 30 empty aluminium cans to an avoirdupois pound.
One problem with the current design is that the top edge of the can may collect dust or dirt in transit, if the can is not packaged in a completely sealed box. Some marketers have experimented with putting a separate foil lid on can tops, and shipping cans in cardboard 12 or 24 pack cases.
In many parts of the world a deposit can be recovered by turning in empty plastic, glass, and aluminium containers. Unlike glass and plastic, scrap metal dealers often purchase aluminium cans in bulk, even when deposits are not offered. Aluminium is one of the most cost-effective materials to recycle. When recycled without other metals being mixed in, the can/lid combination is perfect for producing new stock for the main part of the can — the loss of magnesium during melting is made up for by the high magnesium content of the lid. Also refining ores such as bauxite into aluminium requires large amounts of electricity, making recycling cheaper than smelting.
Many consumers find the taste of a drink from a can to be different from fountain drinks and those from plastic or glass bottles. In addition, some people believe that aluminium leaching into the fluid contained inside can be...