A standard aluminum beverage can is made of different alloys for different parts. The can body usually uses a 3004 or 3104 alloy. The can lid typically uses 5182 alloy. However, the pull tab (the ring you pull to open the can) requires the core material: 5182 H19 aluminum coil.
Among all parts of the can, the pull tab faces the highest demands for a balance between extreme strength and excellent formability. This makes 5182-H19 the absolute industry standard. As an experienced aluminum coil supplier, GNEE provides this technical guide to help can manufacturers and packaging material distributors understand the specifications, performance, and purchasing process for this material.
Are you looking for reliable material for high-speed stamping? Don't just read the specs-test it on your machines. GNEE offers free A4-sized samples of our 5182 H19 aluminum coil.
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What is a 5182 H19 Aluminum Coil?
The 5182 aluminum alloy belongs to the 5xxx series (Al-Mg alloys). It is a non-heat-treatable alloy, meaning its strength cannot be increased through heat treatment. Instead, it gets its high strength from the addition of Magnesium (Mg) and through cold working.
What does the H19 temper mean?
The "H" stands for strain hardened (cold worked), and "19" indicates the maximum work-hardening condition. In plain English, H19 is an "ultra-hard" state. This specific temper gives the aluminum coil its high yield strength, which is critical for the pull-tab opening force. When a consumer pulls the tab, it must have enough strength to pop the lid open without bending or breaking off in their hand. At the same time, the material must be flexible enough to be stamped and riveted to the lid without cracking.
Technical Specifications of 5182 H19 Aluminum Coil
When buying wholesale aluminum coil for can pull tabs, tight tolerance is everything. If the thickness or width varies, high-speed stamping machines will jam, causing expensive downtime and material waste. Below is the standard supply range and tolerance control provided by GNEE.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Alloy | 5182 |
| Temper | H19 |
| Thickness | 0.15 mm – 0.50 mm |
| Width | 800 mm – 2500 mm |
| Inner Diameter (ID) | 405 mm / 505 mm |
| Coil Weight | 3 – 10 Tons |
Tolerance of 5182 H19 Aluminum Coil
| Item | Tolerance |
| Thickness | ± 0.004 mm |
| Width | ± 0.3 mm |
| Flatness | ≤ 3 I-Unit |
| Edge Quality | Clean, Burr-free |
Note: Tight tolerance guarantees stable stamping. By keeping thickness variation under 0.004 mm, GNEE ensures our clients achieve a higher yield rate on their production lines.
Chemical Composition of 5182 H19 Aluminum Coil
| Element | Content (%) |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 4.0 – 5.0 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.20 – 0.50 |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤ 0.35 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.20 |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.25 |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.15 |
| Aluminum (Al) | Balance |
Mechanical Properties 5182 H19 Aluminum
Mechanical properties dictate how the material behaves under stress. For beverage can pull tabs, tensile strength and yield strength are the most critical factors.
| Property | Value |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 380 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 340 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 3% |
| Hardness | High (H19 state) |
Key Performance Advantages
1. High Strength
The high yield strength (≥ 340 MPa) ensures the tab does not deform, bend, or flatten during transport. It also guarantees a consistent, firm resistance when the consumer opens the can.
2. Crack Resistance During Stamping
Despite being an ultra-hard (H19) material, 5182 maintains excellent formability. Pull tabs require deep drawing and riveting processes. This alloy prevents tearing or cracking during high-speed continuous stamping.
3. Superior Corrosion Resistance
Beverage packaging environments are often damp. The 5xxx series has natural anti-rust properties, making it perfect for carbonated drinks, juices, and slightly acidic environments.
4. Clean Surface Quality
For the can industry, the surface must be perfect. Our coils come with no oil stains, no scratches, and no inclusions. This ensures a clean look and allows for smooth color coating or printing if required.
Common Applications of 5182 H19 Aluminum Coil for Can Pull Tabs
GNEE's 5182 H19 aluminum coils are widely used in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) packaging sector. Common applications include:
Cola and carbonated soda can pull tabs.
- Beer can lids and rings.
- Energy drink packaging.
- Food can easy-open ends (e.g., canned beans, canned fruits, pet food).
Production Process at GNEE
Quality is built into the manufacturing process. To achieve the strict requirements of the can industry, GNEE follows a standard process:
- Melting & Alloying: Precise control of Mg and Mn levels.
- Casting: Continuous casting or Direct Chill (DC) casting to form aluminum ingots.
- Hot Rolling & Cold Rolling: Breaking down the thickness with precision gauge controls.
- Work Hardening: Cold rolling the material to its final H19 ultra-hard temper.
- Slitting: Cutting the master coils into narrow coils according to the buyer's exact width requirements.
Surface Quality and QC Testing
In the beverage packaging industry, a defect rate of even 1% is too high. The surface quality directly affects the tab stamping yield rate, which should remain above 99%. GNEE guarantees no scratches, no oil contamination, no edge cracks, and no peeling.
To ensure this, GNEE implements strict Quality Control (QC) procedures before any coil leaves our factory:
- Physical Testing: We test tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation on every batch.
- Dimensional Checks: Online thickness gauges continuously monitor the coil to ensure the ±0.004 mm tolerance. Width is measured automatically.
- Ear Rate Test: We test the earing rate to guarantee uniform grain structure, which is vital for smooth stamping performance.
Material costs change daily. Want to know the exact cost for your project? Send us your required thickness, width, and quantity. We will calculate the final price using today's live SMM aluminum ingot rate plus our competitive processing fee within 24 hours.
Pricing Mechanism
Final Price = SMM Aluminum Ingot Price + Processing Fee
The SMM (Shanghai Metal Market) price is the live benchmark for raw aluminum. The processing fee depends on your specific requirements. Factors that affect the processing fee include:
- The exact thickness and width you need.
- Your order quantity (larger volumes reduce the per-ton processing cost).
- Special surface or packaging requirements.
- Delivery timelines.
Packaging & Logistics
Aluminum coils are heavy but sensitive to moisture and physical damage. Proper packaging is non-negotiable.
Standard Export Packaging:
- Fumigation-certified wooden pallets.
- Multiple layers of moisture-proof kraft paper.
- Thick plastic film protection to prevent water damage during sea freight.
- Orientation: We offer both "Eye to Sky" (vertical) or "Eye to Wall" (horizontal) packaging depending on your factory's unloading equipment (forklifts or overhead cranes).
Shipping Methods:
Most orders are shipped via standard 20GP or 40HQ containers. For extremely large volume orders, bulk vessel shipment can be arranged.
Payment Terms
GNEE supports flexible payment options to secure your supply chain and manage your cash flow:
- T/T (Telegraphic Transfer): 30% deposit to start production, and 70% balance paid against the copy of the B/L.
- L/C (Letter of Credit): 100% Irrevocable LC at sight for large projects.
- DP / DA: Open to negotiation for verified, long-term VIP partners.
Why Choose GNEE as Your Supplier?
If you are a can manufacturer or a metal distributor, choosing the right supplier dictates your profit margins. Here is why buyers in Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia) and beyond partner with GNEE:
- Flexible Order Capability: We accept multi-size and mixed-specification orders. This is a huge advantage for distributors who need to supply various end-users.
- Tight Tolerance Manufacturing: Our ±0.004 mm thickness control means fewer machine jams and higher output for your stamping lines.
- Export Experience: We understand international can industry standards. We know how to pack securely for humid sea voyages, ensuring your coils arrive rust-free.
- Stable Large-Scale Supply: With multiple rolling lines, we offer reliable lead times even during peak market seasons.
FAQ
Q1: Why use 5182 H19 for pull tabs instead of 5052?
While 5052 is a great alloy, 5182 has a higher Magnesium content. This gives 5182 higher strength while maintaining a better balance of formability. 5052 might not offer enough yield strength for the initial "pop" required to open a beverage can lid smoothly.
Q2: Can you customize the width and thickness?
Yes. We own our slitting lines. We can slit the aluminum coils to any specific width and roll them to your required thickness within the 0.15mm - 0.50mm range.
Q3: How do you ensure the material won't crack during stamping?
We control the chemical composition strictly during melting and use targeted earing rate controls and mechanical property testing before shipment. The H19 temper is carefully managed to retain enough ductility for the riveting process.
Ready to upgrade your supply chain? If you have specific sizing requirements, leave a message, and our technical sales team will provide customized alloy solutions for your pull tab production within 24 hours.
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