JFE Develops New Laminated Steel Plates for Environmentally Friendly Food Cans

In recent years, in order to protect the environment and improve the painting work conditions, the food tank manufacturing industry is phasing out the steel sheet surface painting process originally using organic solvents, and instead use water-soluble paint or thermoplastic resin laminates (laminte) to use PET in beverage cans. The products made of (polyester film) laminated steel sheets have been commercialized. Because this steel plate omits the painting and baking process, it reduces the cost, eliminates the harm to the human body caused by organic solvents, and adds to the workability, corrosion resistance, and adhesion of the steel plate, so the output has been increasing in recent years. The outline of the JFE company's plan for the development of new laminated steel plates and the technical points established on this basis are outlined. The new PET laminating steel plate for food cans developed by JFE Steel has excellent environmental friendliness, loading (food) take-out, processability, and pattern (beautiful) properties.

(1) The removability of the contents (foods) is affected by the surface free energy of the materials contacting the contents, that is, the low-energy extraction property is good, and it is easy to take out the food, and there is little adhesion and adhesion.
(2) Adding an appropriate modifier to the PET film covering the surface of the steel sheet to reduce its surface free energy can improve the removability of the filler. The reason why the effect of adding vegetable waxes is best is because it lowers the free energy polar force component of the PET film surface.
(3) Due to the use of a new homogenous PET film and controlling its degree of orientation in the optimum range, the processability and impact resistance of the product are improved.
(4) Since the molecular structure of the organic pigment for coloring is adjusted, the diffusion of the pigment in the PET film is suppressed, and the degree of orientation of the film is adjusted, so that the precipitation of the pigment can be significantly reduced.
(5) The protective film covering the upper layer of the PET film suppresses the precipitation of the pigment, thereby obtaining a good color tone.

Source: Jincheng Logistics Network