Food cans made from tinplate—such as three-piece beverage cans, food-tin cans (for biscuits, preserved vegetables, etc.), and dry-goods cans (tea, coffee, nuts)—are widely used. The corrosion-resistance of these cans directly affects the quality and shelf-life of the contents. Because contents vary widely in acidity, protein content, liquid nature and storage environment, tinplate-can manufacturers face growing challenges. Mastering the fundamentals of corrosion prevention in food cans is of practical significance for tinplate can producers and food packaging companies alike.
In manufacturing tinplate food cans, the corrosion-resistance must address multiple mechanisms:
For foods rich in protein (poultry, beef, fish, seafood), thermal breakdown of proteins may liberate sulfides which attack tinplate, forming sulphide-spots or iron sulphide, degrading the contents. Thus such cans must have strong anti-sulphur capability.
For packaging highly acidic fruits, tomatoes, cucumbers etc., the acidic medium may reduce the tinplate substrate. Such cans must be engineered for acid-resistance.
For liquid-filled products, beyond acid or sulphide attack, immersion and solvent-based corrosion must be considered. The can must resist prolonged contact with aqueous or other solution media.
During shelf-life, tinplate cans are exposed to oxygen, moisture and possible ingress of corrosive media. Anti-rust/oxidation capability is therefore essential.
Some contents require bespoke protection:
Alcohol-containing products (e.g., spirits) require special coatings to prevent ion-leaching that could alter flavour.
Some luncheon-meat or fish-tin products require anti-stick coatings, so that contents detach easily from the interior coating.
Given the above, in tinplate can production the characteristics of the intended content must be fully understood, and pre-use tests of the empty can must be conducted to guarantee quality.
Most protective coatings for tinplate food cans are epoxy-phenolic resin types, prized for good adhesion, impact-resistance, solder-heat resistance, and excellent anti-sulphur and anti-acid performance. (Unless otherwise noted, the discussion below refers to epoxy-phenolic resin coatings.)
Specimens: 100 mm × 25 mm coated tinplate. Folds made at 0.3 mm spacing.
For dry film (DF) 10-12 g/m²: test in 5% acetic acid; for DF 6-8 g/m²: use 3% acetic acid.
Sealed in high-pressure vessel: 1 MPa, 121 °C, for 30 minutes.
After cooling, inspect the coating: if no discoloration, whitening or delamination appears, test is passed; otherwise, adjustments required.
Specimens: same size and folding.
Test solution: 1% sodium sulphide, pH adjusted to 5.5-6.0 with lactic acid.
Conditions: 1 MPa, 121 °C, 30 minutes.
After cooling: if no sulphide-spots or delamination → pass; else, coating process needs improvement.
Specimens: 50 mm × 50 mm.
Corrosion solution: 50 g citric acid + 137 g sodium nitrate + 500 g vitamin C, diluted to 1000 mL distilled water.
Test setup: specimen acts as anode, stainless steel electrode (φ4 mm × 10 mm) as cathode; coating face is working surface; back/edges sealed in wax.
Apply 15 V DC for 1 hour. After testing, rate the attacked surface from Grade 0 to Grade 4 as follows:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 0 | No corrosion spots at all |
| 1 | Up to 10 spots ≤ 1 mm and up to 5 spots ≤ 2 mm |
| 2 | Up to 30 spots ≤ 1 mm and up to 10 spots ≤ 2 mm |
| 3 | Few but widespread medium/small spots |
| 4 | Many medium/small spots AND 1-3 large spots > 4 mm |
Requirements: For DF 10-12 g/m² → at least Grade 1; for DF 6-8 g/m² → at least Grade 3. Otherwise, considered non-compliant.
Immerse the sample in 5% copper sulphate solution for 30 minutes.
If no corrosion points on the coated surface → pass.
Permeability / porosity tests may be done in special circumstances, to assess densification of the protective coating layer (though not often used in typical production).
Below is a comparative table summarising the key test methods and required thresholds for tinplate food-can coatings.
| Test Type | Specimen Size | Medium/Conditions | Acceptable Result (for standard DF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acid-Resistance | 100 mm×25 mm folded | 5 % acetic acid (10-12 g/m²) or 3 % (6-8 g/m²) at 1 MPa,121 °C,30 min | No discoloration, whitening or delamination |
| Sulphur-Resistance | 100 mm×25 mm folded | 1 % Na₂S, pH 5.5-6.0 at 1 MPa,121 °C,30 min | No sulphide spots or delamination |
| Corrosion-Resistance | 50 mm×50 mm | Citric acid + nitrate + vit C, 15 V DC,1 h | Grade ≤ 1 (DF 10-12 g/m²) / Grade ≤ 3 (DF 6-8 g/m²) |
| Rust-Resistance | — | 5 % copper sulphate, 30 min immersion | No corrosion points |
| Additional (permeability) | As required | Specific test for porosity/film integrity | Coating film meets densification/adhesion standards |
From a manufacturer’s perspective, the global shift toward sustainable packaging is pushing the tinplate industry to upgrade its coating technologies. New formulations are moving away from bisphenol-A (BPA) epoxy systems toward eco-friendly, high-performance alternatives such as polyester-based or hybrid coatings.
In modern canmaking lines, AI-assisted inspection systems and real-time coating thickness monitoring are increasingly adopted to ensure uniformity and reduce waste. Moreover, as consumers demand longer shelf life and safer food contact materials, multi-layer coatings with enhanced corrosion barriers are becoming a key trend.
For manufacturers, mastering corrosion-resistant technology is not just a quality issue—it’s a competitive advantage in the evolving food packaging market.
Corrosion protection is at the heart of tinplate can manufacturing. Through scientific testing and process optimization, producers can ensure superior performance, longer shelf life, and food safety. As the industry evolves, innovation in coating materials and inspection technologies will define the next generation of sustainable metal packaging.
Obtenha as últimas informações e ofertas especiais
Rede IPv6 suportada
Português
English
Français
Deutsch
Español