Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2019/11/22/watch-how-to-turn-an-unopened.html
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A major challenge for can makers is matching the epoxy liner to the product enclosed. It prevents the product from eating through the can, which most obviously prevents leaks, but also protects the flavor of the contents even if no leak occurs. There are thousands of formulations to fit the thousands of things that come in cans.
The most challenging contents: Rhubarb
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It’s a click-bait headline, like so many here. They just remove the aluminum and leave the plastic lining - they don’t “turn a coke can into clear squishy plastic”.
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Agreed. I was looking for the secret to transparent aluminum!
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Neither video deals with the remaining metal bottom of the can. It would seem that the can is aluminum on the sides and then bonded somehow to a different metal (that doesn’t dissolve in the drain cleaner) that forms the bottom, all lined with that film of plastic. I’m guessing the top and bottom are made of the same material.
Also: ugh, that’s right, there’s plastic in cans too. Bring back the amphora!
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The metal on the bottom is the same metal as the sides of the can, it’s just a lot thicker. Given enough time, it too would dissolve.
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how is this layer dealt with when cans are recycled? Do they just incinerate it away when they melt down the aluminum?
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The secret is oxygen.
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I wonder what kind of phthalates are leeching out of the plastic into the drink…
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To be concerned about the phthalates in the coke can is about like being concerned about the wood pulp in the carton your cigarettes came in…
(Although I will happily admit that I drink sodas, myself.)
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Yeah, it’s a bit like wondering if someone put a bit of arsenic in your cyanide, but it’s not just in soda cans, though. It’s all manner of canned goods. And phthalates are pretty nasty shit.
There’s no pedantry like internet pedantry.
“Watch how to reveal the squishy plastic inside a Coke can.” Better?
Several industries that use these epoxy-type liners in cans are moving to alternatives that don’t contain BPA (if you believe BPA is a problem for most people, which, meh, IMO). The presence of this liner in cans is my main argument against people who claim canned beer is worse because it tastes like aluminum. It can’t. That’s why the liner is there. If you pour it into a glass, anyway, which you should, if you’re drinking anything worth enjoying.
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And, FFS, don’t drink the Coke afterwards.
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Agreed, I also prefer Pepsi.
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Just don’t drink Coke.
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Is there a way to reverse the process? Starting from a plastic bag ?
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Yes, the plastics and whatever else is mixed in with the aluminum scrap either burn off or form “slag”, which is just a layer of junk floating on top of the molten aluminum. It is scraped off before pouring the aluminum into billets or casting it to its final shape.
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Wow, that was informative!
Very good video, well explained and entertaining.
I learned something today!
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