Can Ends / Technical

CDL Can Ends Specs: How the Lightweight Design Matches Seamer Chucks

June 24, 2026  |  Technical  |  7 min read

1. What Makes a CDL End Different from B64

CDL ends look similar to B64 until you check the countersink. B64 has a relatively flat profile; CDL has a deeper, angled cone. That cone lets the shell use thinner metal while keeping the same pressure rating.

We stamp our CDL ends from 5182-H48, a harder alloy that works with the thinner gauge. The trade-off is that the deeper lip changes how the seamer chuck grips the end. A standard B64 chuck will not seat correctly, which is the root cause of most CDL seaming defects we are asked to troubleshoot.

2. B64 vs 202 CDL End Specs

These are the numbers we hold on our production drawings for export 202 ends:

Technical Parameter Traditional B64 Lid Profile Modern 202 CDL End Profile Manufacturing Tooling Threshold
Material Grade Standard 5182 Aluminum Premium 5182-H48 Alloy High tensile strength for reduced metal thickness
Nominal Diameter 202 Profile (52.30 mm) 202 Profile (52.30 mm) Standardized top-neck configuration framework
Countersink Depth 1.15 mm ± 0.05 mm 1.35 mm ± 0.02 mm Requires deep lip seamer chuck nose profiling
Metal Sheet Gauge 0.220 mm ± 0.005 mm 0.208 mm ± 0.003 mm Delivers ~10% sustainable weight savings
Internal Buckle Pressure ≥ 6.0 bar ≥ 6.2 bar (≥ 90 psi) Resists gas expansion during pasteurization
Pop / Tear Open Force ≤ 25 N / ≤ 35 N ≤ 24 N / ≤ 33 N Guarantees seamless consumer opening mechanics

3. Seamer Chuck Matching for CDL

This is the part that matters most. CDL ends need a conical-nose seamer chuck, not the flat-nose chuck used for B64. If you run CDL on a B64 chuck, the lip slips during the first seaming operation and you get radial creases, incomplete seams, and micro-leaks.

CDL seaming rule of thumb CDL deeper 1.35mm countersink → needs conical-nose chuck | ↓ Legacy B64 flat chuck → radial creasing and micro-leaks Matched conical chuck → clean 360° double seam

For lines above 60,000 CPH, we recommend TiN or tungsten-carbide coated chucks with the matching nose radius. The coating reduces wear and keeps seam parameters stable over longer runs.

4. Internal Coating Options

Thinner metal does not mean thinner coating. We spray the same lacquer weight on CDL as on B64 so the barrier stays intact. The formulation depends on the destination:

BPA-NI (BPA Non-Intent) Water-based polymer coat for North America, the EU, and the UK. Compliant with FDA 21 CFR 175.300 and EU 10/2011.
Epoxy-Phenolic Cost-optimized formula for markets where it is permitted, such as Russia and Ghana. Stable for carbonated and pasteurized beverages.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run CDL ends on my existing seamer without changing chucks?

No. CDL needs a conical-nose chuck matched to the 1.35mm countersink. Running CDL on B64 chucks causes flange creasing and micro-leaks. We can send sample ends and a chuck profile drawing for your tool room.

How much metal do CDL ends save versus B64?

About 10%. Typical B64 gauge is 0.220mm; our CDL runs 0.208mm. On a million-end order that adds up in both material cost and shipping weight.

6. Line Verification Before You Order

If you are moving from B64 to CDL, do not guess on the chuck. Send us your seamer make and model and we will confirm whether your current tooling works or what needs changing. We can ship a test kit with CDL ends in both BPA-NI and epoxy-phenolic coatings.

Need CDL Can End Samples for Line Testing?

Contact Christine Wong for a complimentary CDL testing kit with full dimensional compliance report and coating certifications.

Request Free Samples →