How are aluminum cans manufactured?
The entire process is fascinating. The sheet of metal is pressed into round pieces, those pieces are formed into cups, and the process goes on as a can is made. If you think the process stops there, you’re wrong. The cans have to be washed, dried, coated with varnish and printed.
What is the life cycle of an aluminum can?
Because secondary production can be done over and over thanks to the properties of aluminum, a used can is able to be recycled and ready for consumer use again in as little as 60 days. Furthermore, recycling cans save up to 95% of the necessary energy consumption to create new cans through primary production.
What are life-cycle assessment tools?
The LCA tool analyses the impact of the energy used, release of toxic substances, natural resource use, etc. involved in all life cycle stages of a product (from the extraction of raw materials needed to produced it until it is no longer used and thrown away or recycled).
Why is aluminium used for cans?
Aluminium cans are more malleable and lighter than steel cans (aluminium is one-third as heavy as steel), and also do not rust or corrode. Aluminium is alloyed with small amounts of different metals like magnesium or manganese to give it the properties needed for each specific task. Aluminium cans are not magnetic.
What is the life cycle of a material?
The major stages in a material’s lifecycle are raw material acquisition, materials manufacture, production, use/reuse/maintenance, and waste management.
Are cans aluminum?
Drink cans are made of aluminum (75% of worldwide production) or tin-plated steel (25% worldwide production). Worldwide production for all drink cans is approximately 370 billion cans per year.
Why can aluminum be melted down and used again and again?
Aluminum can be recycled unlimited times Since you recycle aluminum by melting it down to a liquid form and then the liquid aluminum is molded it into new objects, it enables the aluminum to be melted down again and again and without fail the aluminum will be good as new at the end of the recycling process.