Advanced Production of Aluminum and Steel Cans

Abstract

Production of thin walled products in the shape of aerosol cans presents a booming
technology, esp. in the time of pandemics when many disinfectants are urgently needed. Several
materials for the aerosol cans be used, however, the chemical means are basically stored in metallic
containers made of aluminum alloy or steel. Both these materials can be fully recycled, but the carbon
track for steel is four times lower compared to the carbon track for aluminum alloys. Moreover, the
tensile strength of steels for such purposes is three times higher, what can result in applications of
thinner can walls, lighter products, their higher endurance or a better safety of the products. Back
extrusion is typically performed technology with the aluminum can. A pellet is placed in an open top
cylinder, and a piston with a diameter smaller than the cylinder, is forced down into the blank. The
result is that the product flows back between the space created by the piston and the cylinder.
However, this technology can´t be used at steels directly due to its limited plasticity, higher
mechanical properties and material hardening so welding and other technologies should be taken into
consideration, but new problems like corrosion can be invoked. The paper deals with selected
problems of the technologies and highlights their pros and cons in today´s time, when the material
resources are limited and demands on efficient material processing are rising due to many factors.