Depending on the uses, features and functions the package must lend itself to, the properties of
aluminium are calibrated to create an alloy in which minimum quantities of other elements such as copper, zinc, manganese, silicon and magnesium coexist. Since each application requires different varieties of
aluminium alloys, each imbued with a unique combination of the materials, properties, such as: strength, ductility and malleability. The most used types of aluminium alloys in packaging are those of the 1000, 3000, 5000 and 8000 series.
? The 1000 series alloy is an almost pure alloy containing 99.5% aluminium. Due to its flexibility, it is used in the production of
aluminium foil cans and tubes.
? The 3000 series alloy, whose primary alloying element is manganese,
is used in the production of the bodies of beverage cans, food boxes and trays and is the most common alloy for aluminium packaging.
? The second most used alloy in packagingis that of the 5000 series, containingmagnesium to ensure greater hardness and used to produce can lidstear-off tabs and facilitated openingsin general.
? Lastly, the 8000 series contains iron and is used to exploit its malleability for example in the thin metal sector,producing trays and screw caps.