How Aluminium Bottles Are Made: From Slug to Sleek Containers

NANCHANG, China - June 26, 2024 - PRLog -- EBI's Screw bottle production suppliers have two forms, one is an automatic line and the other is a semi-automatic line.
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Production steps

Step 1: Billet casting
A metal block is a piece of aluminum stamped or pressed from a roll of aluminum plate or coil. It is essentially a blank that will be transformed into a bottle. These aluminum blocks are added with talc powder for billet casting.
Step 2: Extrusion
The slugs are lubricated and the slug is placed under a press. The press forces the slug through a die, a process known as cold extrusion. This creates a long, cylindrical shaped container.
Step 3: Trimming
The top of the bottle is usually a bit irregular. To fix this problem, bottles go through an edge-trimming process where excess material is cut away, leaving a clean, even edge. At the same time, the bottle will be polished to make the entire bottle smoother to facilitate subsequent printing and painting processes.
Step 4: Cleaning and Washing
After trimming, wash the bottle to remove any oil or residue. Wash them first with detergent and hot water, then again with cold water. It is then placed in a drying oven for drying.
Step 5: Inner coating
Apply an interior paint (epoxy phenolic primer or polyester paint) to the inside of the aluminum bottle and pass the bottle through the drying oven a second time. The function of the inner coating is to prevent the bottle from reacting with the contents, and also to ensure that the bottle will not be corroded. Secondary drying allows the inner coating to better adhere to the inside of the bottle and prevent it from falling off during subsequent cleaning.
Step 6: Coating and Decorating
Before decorating, apply a coat of primer to the aluminum bottle to ensure subsequent layers of ink and graphics will adhere properly. The bottles are then decorated using indirect printing techniques, depending on the desired design and surface treatment. Additional screen printing can be performed in a separate process.

Step 7: Overlacquering

To protect the printing, aluminum bottles are coated with a clear lacquer (glossy or matte). After painting, you must apply matte oil, otherwise, the bottle will collide during transportation and the paint will fall off.
Step 8: Necking
To create the neck (the narrower opening at the top), the bottle goes through a process called "necking." This involves a series of tools that gradually reduce the diameter of the bottle opening to the desired size.
Step 9: Inspection and Packaging
The final step involves a thorough inspection of the bottles to ensure they meet all quality standards. Once they pass inspection, they are packaged and prepared for shipping to customers.