ABSTRACT
Three quarters of known elements are metals, but in food packaging just a few metallic materials (metal alloys) are used: aluminum and steels (iron alloys) mostly coated by tin, chromium oxides, and/or varnishes in special cases. Stainless steel is widely used for food contact purpose as containers, vessels, kitchen utensils, and pipelines in homes and food factories. Occasionally, copper and cast iron may also come in contact with food (e.g., dairy boilers and grill tools) and recently titanium also generates some interest for food packaging due to its peculiar mechanical properties and high inertia. Other minor metals in metal packaging include nickel, which is applied as a sandwich layer between steel and tin in low-tincoating steel (LTS), lead used for soldering, and copper for welding in side seam of a three-piece can.
