Steel vs. Aluminium in drinks cans

[nkt]

Hi all.

 

Something I've been idly pondering the last five minutes:

 

Some drinks cans are steel, but most are aluminium. And all food cans are steel. (Most (All?) are lined with something as a barrier material, too)

 

Why is this? Obviously steel is cheaper than Aluminium, but harder to form. However, by now you would think that one type would have won completely.

 

Thoughts?

[goku]

i'm not sure, but i think steel cans are used when the contents need to be heated prior to sealing

[nkt]

I know they use steel food cans like that, but I doubt they boil coke or pepsi (aluminium cans) or tango (steel cans) as they are carbonated, and heating a stamped thin steel container you can tear apart with one finger seems risky.

[Turtle]

I know they use steel food cans like that, but I doubt they boil coke or pepsi (aluminium cans) or tango (steel cans) as they are carbonated, and heating a stamped thin steel container you can tear apart with one finger seems risky.

___I think Goku meant to imply you MUST use steel if you heat the food in the can during canning, as they do with vegetables. I don't know if this is really the case though as I've seen little aluminium cans of sausages & soup.

___Maybe an E-Mail to Kraft or some other food manufacturer? It's a good question. :rolleyes: :) :hihi: