Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a sheet article having opposed first and second surfaces, and having a core layer, a cladding layer at the first surface of the sheet article, and optionally a cladding layer at the second surface of the sheet article. The cladding layer at the first surface is made of an aluminum alloy selected from alloys AA3104, AA3004 and modified versions of alloys AA3104 and AA3004 additionally containing 1.0 to 2.0 wt % Fe and optionally up to 1 wt % Si. The core layer is an aluminum alloy having a yield strength and/or ductility greater than the yield strength and/or ductility of the alloy of the cladding layer at the first surface. The sheet article may be used as can body stock, can end stock and tab stock.

Abstract: The invention relates to can body stock having opposed surfaces. The can body stock has a core layer, a cladding layer at a first surface (intended to form an exterior surface of an eventual container body), and optionally a cladding layer at a second surface (intended to form an interior surface of an eventual container body). The cladding layer at the first surface is made of alloy AA3104 or AA3004 (or a modified version of AA3004 or AA3104 containing more iron and optionally more silicon), and the core layer is an aluminum alloy having yield strength less than that of the aluminum alloy of the cladding layer at the first surface. The can body stock may be used to produce a container body by a method involving drawing and ironing, as well as die necking to reduce the diameter of the open end of the container body.

Abstract: The invention provides a die set comprising an annular necking die and a knockout punch for necking-in a metal container, and a method of necking. In the method, in at least one necking-in step, the metal container is both reduced in diameter and the container wall is redrawn to minimize circumferential irregularities of wall thickness and/or circumferential rippling of the container wall caused by the reduction of diameter. The die of the die set is provided with a redraw surface to achieve this redrawing effect.