Novelis, Inc.

Dhiren Bhupatlal Ruparelia

Heinrich Prinzhorn

Christian Tussing

Peter Spahn

Joerg Hoehne

Nicolas C Kamp

Andy Preston

Michael Heinemann

Improved aluminum can end stock (CES) is disclosed. The CES includes an adhered polymer coating exhibiting low feathering and high performance in various acid tests. The low feathering and resistance to acid tests is accomplished by incorporating a copolymer adhesion promoter film to an aluminum alloy before lamination. In some cases, the metal strip is pretreated with a conversion layer, which can include compounds of trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) and phosphates or titanium and zirconium.

Systems and methods for laminating can end stock

Improved aluminum can end stock (CES) is disclosed. The CES includes a laminated, amorphous polymer coating exhibiting low feathering, low blushing, and high performance in an acetic acid test. The laminated metal strip can include the laminated polymer coating on an interior-facing side and a lacquered coating on an exterior-facing side. The CES is formed by performing an annealing process on the laminated metal strip, wherein the metal strip is raised to an annealing temperature above the melting point of the polymer for a sufficient duration to render the polymer amorphous. In some cases, the polymer film laminated to the metal strip is a Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film.

Laminated can end stock with elevated temperature annealing

The surface roughness of a polymer film laminated to a metal substrate can be improved through the use of sufficient heating after application of a wax layer to the polymer film. In some cases, a thin liquid film or layer of a waterborne wax dispersion can be applied to the surface of a metal substrate laminated with a polymer film. After heating the polymer film and wax layer to a point at which the polymer film and wax layer begin to become molten, the surface roughness of the polymer film can become improved due to the presence of the wax.

Surface roughening of polymer films

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Göttingen, Germany

Dhiren Bhupatlal Ruparelia