Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
January 2004
1
Background
Recommendations
Under normal conditions of use, aluminium alloy beer and beverage Ends perform without any
BCME strongly recommend that the following precautions be taken to minimise the risk of
issues however, under certain filling and storage conditions external corrosion takes place in
stress corrosion:
the score area of the End that causes premature opening of the score panel. The cause of this
failure is commonly referred to as stress corrosion, but is otherwise known as (TGSC)
process residues. The rinse water supply should ideally be electrically interlocked to the
Seamer so that the line cannot run without rinse water sprays being operational.
Stress corrosion typically takes place in products packed in shrink-wrap packaging during
storage in warehouses, but can also occur in non shrink-wrapped packages. The risk of stress
corrosion rises dramatically in hot and humid climates typically +30deg. C and humidity +60%
Note: Conveyor/Track lubricant (soap) and/or product carryover to the warmer water, can
relative humidity (rh). Depending upon conditions, described later, failure can occur in a matter
Visible tab staining can be an indicator to the presence of stress corrosion even though the
Can Warmer/Pasteuriser
corrosion mechanism may not yet have developed to the point where the score panel has
The use of a can warmer/pasteuriser is recommended to ensure that the product temper-
opened.
ature at the time of secondary packaging is above the dew point. This will help prevent
condensation from forming on the Cans and Ends during subsequent warehousing. The
For the better understanding of stress corrosion, please refer to the illustrations at the end of
presence of salts such as Chlorates and Sulphates accelerate the stress corrosion
this bulletin.
process therefore management and analysis of the water quality in this area is essential.
The corrosion takes place in the score area of the End due to the presence of moisture and
Regardless of whether the filled Can has been through a can warmer/pasteuriser both the
the resultant chemical reaction with the aluminium alloy. The ongoing corrosion occurs at the
Can body and End must be thoroughly rinsed prior to secondary packaging to remove
base of the score, weakening the residual metal. This corrosive weakening together with the
internal Can pressure and the inherent stress created within the End during manufacture,
This should ideally take place as near as possible to the secondary packaging station but
causes the premature opening of the score panel. The corrosion process is greatly accelerated
by the increased presence of salts (chlorides and sulphates / halides) which can remain on the
End or be present in any residual rinse water after inadequate drying of the Can body and End.
Failure of one can in a shrink-wrapped pack will normally release moisture and consequently
If it is necessary to use track lubricants these should have low chloride/sulphate levels
and be minimally applied at all times.
Background
Recommendations
Under normal conditions of use, aluminium alloy beer and beverage Ends perform without any
BCME strongly recommend that the following precautions be taken to minimise the risk of
issues however, under certain filling and storage conditions external corrosion takes place in
stress corrosion:
the score area of the End that causes premature opening of the score panel. The cause of this
failure is commonly referred to as stress corrosion, but is otherwise known as (TGSC)
process residues. The rinse water supply should ideally be electrically interlocked to the
Seamer so that the line cannot run without rinse water sprays being operational.
Stress corrosion typically takes place in products packed in shrink-wrap packaging during
storage in warehouses, but can also occur in non shrink-wrapped packages. The risk of stress
corrosion rises dramatically in hot and humid climates typically +30deg. C and humidity +60%
Note: Conveyor/Track lubricant (soap) and/or product carryover to the warmer water, can
relative humidity (rh). Depending upon conditions, described later, failure can occur in a matter
Visible tab staining can be an indicator to the presence of stress corrosion even though the
Can Warmer/Pasteuriser
corrosion mechanism may not yet have developed to the point where the score panel has
The use of a can warmer/pasteuriser is recommended to ensure that the product temper-
opened.
ature at the time of secondary packaging is above the dew point. This will help prevent
condensation from forming on the Cans and Ends during subsequent warehousing. The
For the better understanding of stress corrosion, please refer to the illustrations at the end of
presence of salts such as Chlorates and Sulphates accelerate the stress corrosion
this bulletin.
process therefore management and analysis of the water quality in this area is essential.
The corrosion takes place in the score area of the End due to the presence of moisture and
Regardless of whether the filled Can has been through a can warmer/pasteuriser both the
the resultant chemical reaction with the aluminium alloy. The ongoing corrosion occurs at the
Can body and End must be thoroughly rinsed prior to secondary packaging to remove
base of the score, weakening the residual metal. This corrosive weakening together with the
internal Can pressure and the inherent stress created within the End during manufacture,
This should ideally take place as near as possible to the secondary packaging station but
causes the premature opening of the score panel. The corrosion process is greatly accelerated
by the increased presence of salts (chlorides and sulphates / halides) which can remain on the
End or be present in any residual rinse water after inadequate drying of the Can body and End.
Failure of one can in a shrink-wrapped pack will normally release moisture and consequently
If it is necessary to use track lubricants these should have low chloride/sulphate levels
and be minimally applied at all times.
All evidence of track lubricant on the Can/End must be removed at the final rinse station.
ease of inspection. Filled product should be inspected on a regular basis and any pallets
Where water treatment is required water softening by reverse osmosis is the preferred
option.
Regular checks on water quality should be maintained at this critical application point.
7
Storage
Pallets of filled product should be stored in a manner that allows good air circulation and
All packs containing any End (single or multiple quantities) with blown score panels
The objective is to achieve zero residual moisture on the Can and End after the drying
should be removed and the entire pack scrapped, along with any other affected stock.
operation and prior to secondary packaging. This applies in particular to the End and
Do not attempt to salvage any wet cans as it is a recognised fact that these cans,
The Cans and Ends should always be dried in single file. This is more effective than
mass drying.
The dryer should be electrically interlocked to the can conveyor control so that if
Pallets should be transported so that there is adequate ventilation and room for air
It is strongly recommended that the efficiency of dryers is checked routinely (see: test
Method for Assessing the Dryness of Can Ends).
These guidelines are intended to help minimise the risk of secondary corrosion
occurring. For further help and guidance please contact your BCME members
BCME consider that Can and End drying is a critical element of the beverage
filling operation.
The responsibility for adequate Can and End drying rests with the filler.
Secondary Packaging
Existing and future secondary packaging developments must be reviewed in conjunction
with any additional actions required at the filling plants to minimise the risk of stress
corrosion.
Perforated shrink film will help any moisture to evaporate as will vent holes at the end
of each pack.
The use of board packaging will help absorb retained moisture further minimising the
risk of stress corrosion.
The use of plastic packaging without any cardboard will increase the risk of stress
corrosion.
All evidence of track lubricant on the Can/End must be removed at the final rinse station.
ease of inspection. Filled product should be inspected on a regular basis and any pallets
Where water treatment is required water softening by reverse osmosis is the preferred
option.
Regular checks on water quality should be maintained at this critical application point.
7
Storage
Pallets of filled product should be stored in a manner that allows good air circulation and
All packs containing any End (single or multiple quantities) with blown score panels
The objective is to achieve zero residual moisture on the Can and End after the drying
should be removed and the entire pack scrapped, along with any other affected stock.
operation and prior to secondary packaging. This applies in particular to the End and
Do not attempt to salvage any wet cans as it is a recognised fact that these cans,
The Cans and Ends should always be dried in single file. This is more effective than
mass drying.
The dryer should be electrically interlocked to the can conveyor control so that if
Pallets should be transported so that there is adequate ventilation and room for air
It is strongly recommended that the efficiency of dryers is checked routinely (see: test
Method for Assessing the Dryness of Can Ends).
These guidelines are intended to help minimise the risk of secondary corrosion
occurring. For further help and guidance please contact your BCME members
BCME consider that Can and End drying is a critical element of the beverage
filling operation.
The responsibility for adequate Can and End drying rests with the filler.
Secondary Packaging
Existing and future secondary packaging developments must be reviewed in conjunction
with any additional actions required at the filling plants to minimise the risk of stress
corrosion.
Perforated shrink film will help any moisture to evaporate as will vent holes at the end
of each pack.
The use of board packaging will help absorb retained moisture further minimising the
risk of stress corrosion.
The use of plastic packaging without any cardboard will increase the risk of stress
corrosion.
Equipment required:
1
2
or
Action
Test Procedure:
1
Weigh swabs in the sealed containers to an accuracy of 0.001g. Record the weights.
Take samples from the line directly after the dryers and swab immediately.
Visual checks should be carried out on an ongoing basis to verify drying performance is
Carefully use the swab to remove all residual water from each individual End,
maintained.
The difference in weight is taken as the amount of moisture remaining on the End.
Test Frequency
Recommended daily, but should be continually reviewed depending on consistency
of results and process capability.
Points to note:
1
The swabs should be out of containers for the minimum time between taking
weights to prevent moisture pick up / loss.
Standard to be achieved:
The objective is to achieve zero residual moisture on the Ends but the following is an
achievable minimum practical operating standard, based on available modern equipment.
It is recommended that this specification is used when purchasing new drying equipment.
Equipment required:
1
2
or
Action
Test Procedure:
1
Weigh swabs in the sealed containers to an accuracy of 0.001g. Record the weights.
Take samples from the line directly after the dryers and swab immediately.
Visual checks should be carried out on an ongoing basis to verify drying performance is
Carefully use the swab to remove all residual water from each individual End,
maintained.
The difference in weight is taken as the amount of moisture remaining on the End.
Test Frequency
Recommended daily, but should be continually reviewed depending on consistency
of results and process capability.
Points to note:
1
The swabs should be out of containers for the minimum time between taking
weights to prevent moisture pick up / loss.
Standard to be achieved:
The objective is to achieve zero residual moisture on the Ends but the following is an
achievable minimum practical operating standard, based on available modern equipment.
It is recommended that this specification is used when purchasing new drying equipment.
Fig.1:
Fig.2:
Material Thickness
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Scored Region
Environmental stress crack showing typical branching progressing from pit beneath score
exterior. Secondary sites of corrosion and crack development are present at the left-hand
edge of the score. Field of view width = 200m.
Material Thickness
Section B - B
Figure 1c
Score Section profile
Fig.1:
Fig.2:
Material Thickness
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Scored Region
Environmental stress crack showing typical branching progressing from pit beneath score
exterior. Secondary sites of corrosion and crack development are present at the left-hand
edge of the score. Field of view width = 200m.
Material Thickness
Section B - B
Figure 1c
Score Section profile
Fig. 3:
Fig. 5:
Top of score
residual
Top of score
residual
Secondary
cracks
Fan shaped
Ductile cups
cleavage cracks
and cones
visible
Inside edge of
score residual
Environmental stress cracking: Surface of score residual fracture showing fan shaped
cleavage cracks. Secondary cracks typical of environmental stress cracking are also visible.
Field of view width = 230m.
Fig. 4:
Top of score
Inside edge of
score residual
Fracture surface of unused aluminium end score blown under pressure showing ductile
cup/cone physical failure effects. Field of view width ~190m.
Fig. 6:
residual
Striations
Inside edge of
score residual
Fracture surface of aluminium end score showing horizontal striations indicating fatigue
effects. Field of view width = 180m.
10
11
Fig. 3:
Fig. 5:
Top of score
residual
Top of score
residual
Secondary
cracks
Fan shaped
Ductile cups
cleavage cracks
and cones
visible
Inside edge of
score residual
Environmental stress cracking: Surface of score residual fracture showing fan shaped
cleavage cracks. Secondary cracks typical of environmental stress cracking are also visible.
Field of view width = 230m.
Fig. 4:
Top of score
Inside edge of
score residual
Fracture surface of unused aluminium end score blown under pressure showing ductile
cup/cone physical failure effects. Field of view width ~190m.
Fig. 6:
residual
Striations
Inside edge of
score residual
Fracture surface of aluminium end score showing horizontal striations indicating fatigue
effects. Field of view width = 180m.
10
11
12