A 330ml Standard aluminum can is 115.20 mm ± 0.20 mm tall with a 66.04 mm ± 0.05 mm body diameter and a 202 neck (52.30 mm). The body is made from 3104-H19 alloy, rated for ≥ 6.2 bar (90 PSI) internal pressure and ≥ 850 N axial top-load.
1. Why the 330ml standard can is the workhorse format
The 330ml standard can is the most common format for beer, soft drinks, and sparkling water in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Its 115.20 mm height and 66.04 mm diameter give it a low center of gravity, which keeps it stable on high-speed lines. That stability matters when you are running 60,000 to 90,000 cans per hour.
The shorter, wider profile also pallets more densely than sleek or slim formats. For export buyers, that means more cans per 40'HQ and lower freight cost per thousand units.
Alucan holds body diameter to ±0.05 mm and total height to ±0.20 mm. Those tolerances keep starwheel jams, guide-rail scuffing, and seamer misalignment to a minimum.
How the can is formed
A blank of 3104-H19 coil is first deep-drawn into a cup, then redrawn and ironed through successive dies. The wall is thinned from about 0.30 mm down to a final mid-wall gauge of 0.097–0.101 mm.
We monitor punch force, lubricant film, and die temperature to avoid galling or wall thinning. Too much reduction in one pass heats the wall and can create Lüders lines; too little leaves the can overweight. Our ironing schedule is split into steps that keep the metallurgy intact and the gauge uniform from base to neck.
2. 330ml standard can specification sheet
These are the numbers we verify on every lot before shipment.
| Metric | Value | Tolerance / note |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal volume | 330 ml | Overflow ~338 ml |
| Total height | 115.20 mm | ± 0.20 mm |
| Body diameter | 66.04 mm | ± 0.05 mm, 3104-H19 |
| Neck diameter | 52.30 mm | Standard 202 SOT / RPT |
| Flange width | 2.38 mm | ± 0.25 mm |
| Mid-wall gauge | 0.097 - 0.101 mm | After ironing |
| Axial top-load | ≥ 850 N | Press verified |
| Internal pressure | ≥ 6.2 bar (90 psi) | Hydrostatic test |
Why 3104-H19?
3104-H19 is the standard alloy for beverage can bodies. It combines enough formability for deep drawing and ironing with enough work-hardening to give the finished can axial stiffness.
The manganese improves strength and corrosion resistance; the magnesium helps the alloy work-harden. Finished yield strength is typically 270–310 MPa, which gives the can its ≥850 N top-load rating. A softer temper would dent too easily; a harder temper would spring back and make necking less accurate.
Tolerance control on the line
We use non-contact laser micrometers and vision systems to sample geometry at line speed. SPC charts track Cpk for height, diameter, and flange width, with automatic offsets to punch position and redraw die alignment.
Tooling temperature is also controlled. A 10 °C drift in ironing-ring temperature can shift diameter by several micrometers, so we run chilled die sets and controlled coolant flow.
3. Why this format runs well at high speed
The 330ml standard can has a lower height-to-width ratio than sleek or slim cans. That gives it a low center of gravity and makes it less likely to tip on accumulation tables and high-speed fillers.
At line speeds up to 120,000 CPH, the 66.04 mm base resists lateral acceleration during starwheel transfers and seamer indexing. The short 115.20 mm height reduces the moment arm when the can contacts a guide rail. The result is fewer tip-over jams and less wear on transfer parts.
To form a tight double seam with 5182-H48 ends, the seamer chuck must align with the 2.38 mm flange. Misalignment causes radial wrinkles and leaks under pasteurization pressure.
202 end compatibility and double-seam checks
The 202 neck is 52.30 mm with a 2.38 mm flange. The cone angle, flange radius, and curl geometry all have to sit within the CMI envelope for the seamer to engage cleanly.
We validate seams by teardown inspection: hook length, overlap, body hook butting, and seam thickness. For carbonated drinks above 6.0 bar, seam overlap typically needs to exceed 55%. We supply dimensional certificates with each lot so you can tell whether a seam issue is the can or the tooling.
Testing every lot
Before release, each lot goes through axial top-load testing on a calibrated compression frame, hydrostatic pressure testing to confirm the 6.2 bar minimum, flange width gauging, neck profile scanning, and coating continuity checks by eddy-current or high-voltage spark.
We keep the data for traceability and can share reports under confidentiality agreements.
Common defects and what causes them
Flange wrinkles usually mean too much first-operation roll pressure or a misaligned chuck. Body scuffing points to worn guide rails or wrong rail spacing. Low axial load can mean under-ironing or the wrong coil temper.
Neck splits and flange cracks often come from bad necking die geometry or poor lubrication. Sidewall pinholes can be aluminum inclusions or coating voids. A good incoming inspection, plus our dimensional certificates, lets you isolate the cause quickly.
4. Internal lining for cross-border shipments
With wall thickness below 0.10 mm, the internal coating is the only thing between the drink and the aluminum. A pinhole or thin spot will cause corrosion, off-flavors, and leaks.
The coating also has to survive filling, seaming, pasteurization, and shipping. We apply it by electrostatic spray or roll-coating and cure it in controlled ovens. Over-baking embrittles the film and can crack it during flange forming, so cure profile is validated for every batch.
5. Frequently asked questions
What are the exact dimensions of a 330ml Standard aluminum can?
Total height 115.20 mm, body diameter 66.04 mm, 202 neck profile (52.30 mm), flange width 2.38 mm. Axial top-load ≥ 850 N and hydrostatic pressure rating ≥ 6.2 bar.
Can a 330ml Standard can run on the same change parts as a 330ml Sleek can?
No. They share the 202 neck, but the height (115.20 mm vs. 146.00 mm) and diameter (66.04 mm vs. 57.40 mm) are different. You need separate guide rails, filler starwheels, and seamer head clearance.
What is the maximum filling line speed?
With proper seamer tooling, 330ml Standard cans can run up to 120,000 CPH. The low, stable profile handles high-speed transfers better than taller formats.
6. Sourcing checklist for co-packers
Before you place a volume order, confirm these points with your supplier:
- Dimensional certificate with Cpk for height, diameter, and flange width
- End specification: 202 SOT, RPT, or CDL, plus seamer chuck drawings
- Coating specification based on target-market regulations and product pH
- Pallet pattern, slip sheets, and moisture-barrier export packaging
- Lot traceability, AQL levels, and replacement terms for out-of-spec deliveries
If you are seeing sealing stoppages or pressure failures after a supplier change, contact Christine Wong. We can send certified sample layouts in BPANI or Epoxy-Phenolic for line verification.
Need 330ml standard can samples?
Ask Christine Wong for a 330ml testing kit with dimensional drawings, coating certifications, and sample ends for seamer trials.
Request samples →