Titanium passivated lacquered tinplate cans in contact with foods

This paper presents laboratory results of titanium passivated and chromium passivated tinplate specimens lacquered in industrial lines. The lacquered materials were characterised and evaluated in terms of the chemical characteristics of the lacquer; its degree of curing; adhesion; porosity; corrosion resistance in synthetic food media; atmospheric corrosion susceptibility; and sulphur staining tendencies. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments were performed to assess corrosion protection capacity. Food cans manufactured from the lacquered materials were packed with sardines in olive oil and with tomato paste and shelf life tests were performed for up to 6 months, studying the inside of the cans by SEM and EDX techniques. Titanium passivated tinplate seems to be an acceptable alternative to conventional chromium passivated tinplate for food can applications.