Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Metal cans, foils, and tubes are important rigid and semi-rigid packaging materials in the food industry.
Understanding their mechanical designs, surface coatings, and material properties is essential to using them safely.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement:
- Statement A: Copper added as an alloying element to aluminum increases its mechanical strength, but it actually decreases its corrosion resistance by creating galvanic cells. (False)
- Statement B: Can lids feature concentric circular contours or expansion rings.
These contours allow the lid to flex outward like a diaphragm during retort heating to relieve internal pressure, and return to a flat or slightly concave profile on cooling as a vacuum forms. (True)
- Statement C: Epoxy-phenolic resins, not vinyl-organosol, are the classic "universal golden lacquers" used to coat the inside of three-piece cans. (False)
- Statement D: Tinplate is made of low-carbon (not high-carbon) mild steel sheet to maintain malleability and ductility during deep-drawing. (False)
- Statement E: Collapsible aluminum tubes are used for packaging viscous food products like cheese spreads, purees, and sauces because they provide an excellent barrier and prevent air ingress as product is extruded. (True)
Therefore, only statements B and E are correct.
Step 3: Final Answer
The correct option is (D).