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Does anyone know what gauge aluminium is used for beer can walls?
Hello,
I do not have any measuring equipment apart from my Helix shatterproof ruler.
I've looked on the net for an answer and found :
0.025mm
0.10mm
0.00445mm
0.005"
They vary so much that I would rather trust the opinion of an Instructable's type.
Has anyone ever measured their can (especially Red Stripe) in an idle moment?
Thank you.
I did learn that they are ever so slightly thinner in the middle, though.
Discussions
Best Answer 9 years ago
0.1mm , 0.004" would be about right.
Steve
Answer 9 years ago
Speaking as a locksmith, who deals with measurements on the order of 2 to 3 thousands of an inch on a regular basis, that sounds about right.
Simplest way to find out would be to cut out a section and measure it with a micrometer, of course. Though I think Re-design's right about them probably not being uniform, simply because there's no reason they have to be and making them even would cost more.
Answer 9 years ago
I DID measure it with a mic.
I've drilled holes .004" diameter by hand !
Steve
Answer 9 years ago
I think my beer cans are also about 4/1000ths of an inch in thickness. See attached picture. Although the uncertainty in that measurement might be like plus or minus 1/1000th inch.
Answer 9 years ago
. Most Al cans are made to very small tolerances and have very uniform walls. It's a science - when your making them by the billions (yep, billions per year), being able to shave 0.01% by wt can save a lot of money.
http://www.google.com/search?q=aluminum+can+specs
http://www.psc.edu/science/ALCOA/ALCOA.html
Answer 9 years ago
Dear Steve,
Thanks for your quick reply.
According to a conversion chart that means 38 gauge.
3 years ago
I would assume they are very close to that of a Coca Cola can 0.10mm but I have seen other sources on the net stating that they are 0.097mm so who really knows for sure. As orksecurity says, there is no reason for all of the cans produced to be of the exact same thickness because of cost.
9 years ago
Are you asking how thin the actual can is or what gauge material they are made from because they start out a LOT thicker than they end up!
Answer 9 years ago
Dear Rick,
Thanks for your answers and interesting video link.
I was asking for the gauge of the aluminium in the finished can wall, which has now been answered.
9 years ago
They are not uniform since they start out as a ball of aluminum and are pressed over a die to change the shape. Each die gets them closer to the actual can we love so much. The Coke can!
Answer 9 years ago
Most aluminium cans start out as a sheet and are pressed in a single action - Aluminium is very malleable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7Y0zAzoggY