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Interior coating of Coke cans

What it the interior coating applied to coke cans to keep it from decomposition by the acid in the coke? What are the name of the chemicals?

Andy
- Maryland
2002

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First of two simultaneous responses -- 2002

Hi Andy,

Beverage cans are coated on the inner surface with paint, although its purpose may be more to maintain the flavor of the beverage, rather than protect the aluminum from attack.

Paints don't have a chemical name per se, as they are mixtures of several chemical components. For details on these paints, try an Internet search on beverage can coatings.

George Gorecki
- Naperville, Illinois

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

As far as I know, the cans are coated with a chemically resistant lacquer. These are always being developed and improved, so perhaps someone from Coca Cola or a canning company could answer it in more detail.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2002