MATERIALS OF IMPORTANCE- CARBONATED BEVERAGE CONTAINER- A CASE STUDY

A familiar item that is fabricated from three different material types is the beverage container. Beverages are marketed in aluminum (metal) cans, glass (ceramic) bottles, and plastic (polymer) bottles.

 

One common item that presents some interesting material property requirements is the container for carbonated beverages. The material used for this application must satisfy the following constraints:

(1) provide a barrier to the passage of carbon dioxide, which is under pressure in

the container;

(2) be nontoxic, unreactive with the beverage, and, preferably be recyclable;

(3) be relatively strong, and capable of surviving a drop from a height of several feet when containing the beverage;

(4) be inexpensive and the cost to fabricate the final shape should be relatively low;

(5) if optically transparent, retain its optical clarity; and

(6) capable of being produced having different colors and/or able to be adorned with

decorative labels.

All of these materials are nontoxic and unreactive with beverages. In addition, each material has its pros and cons.

For example, the aluminum alloy is relatively strong (but easily dented), is a very good barrier to the diffusion of carbon dioxide, is easily recycled, beverages are cooled rapidly, and labels may be painted onto its surface. On the other hand, the cans are optically opaque, and relatively expensive to produce.

Glass is impervious to the passage of carbon dioxide, is a relatively inexpensive material, may be recycled, but it cracks and fractures easily, and glass bottles are relatively heavy.

Whereas the plastic is relatively strong, may be made optically transparent, is inexpensive and lightweight, and is recyclable, it is not as impervious to the passage of carbon dioxide as the aluminum and glass.

For example, you may have noticed that beverages in aluminum and glass containers retain their carbonization for several years, whereas those in two-liter plastic bottles “go flat” within a few months.