Overview
EN ISO 90-2:1999 / ISO 90-2:1997 defines terms and measurement methods for light gauge metal containers used as general use containers. It applies to rigid metal containers with a maximum nominal material thickness of 0.49 mm, covering both round and non‑round cross‑sections and a variety of constructions (two‑piece, three‑piece), shapes (cylindrical, tapered) and special features (necked‑in, step‑sided, beaded, curled). The document is part of the ISO 90 series that standardizes definitions, dimensions and capacity determination for thin metal packaging.
Key topics
- Definitions and classification
- Types of general use containers (full‑friction, pail, slip‑lid, flat‑top, cone‑top, lever‑lid with ring).
- Cross‑section types (round, rectangular, obround, oval, trapezoidal) and constructions (two‑piece, three‑piece).
- Measurement of dimensions
- Internal cross‑section measurement using plug gauges or external measurements with vernier calipers.
- Rounding rules for nominal cross‑sections to the nearest whole millimetre.
- Height measurements (body height, overall height) with guidance in Annex A.
- Capacity determination
- Methods based on weighing the mass of water filled into cans to determine:
- Gross lidded capacity (closed can) and
- Brimful capacity (open can with rigid disc).
- Practical filling procedures (drilling small fill holes, use of test containers to avoid deformation, removal of external surplus water).
- Correction factors for water density as a function of temperature and required balance accuracy for different mass ranges.
- Designation and tolerances
- Recommended international designation format for container identification (codes for necked‑in, step‑sided, tapered, etc.).
- Clause on tolerances on capacities (specifies permissible variation - see standard for numeric limits).
Applications
- Quality control testing in packaging plants and laboratories for cans, pails and tins.
- Design verification for packaging engineers and product designers to ensure containers meet declared capacities and dimensions.
- Supplier and buyer specifications for tinplate and can manufacturers.
- Regulatory compliance and contractual acceptance testing for filled products (food, paint, chemicals).
Who uses this standard
- Packaging engineers and designers
- Can and tin manufacturers
- Quality assurance and laboratory technicians
- Procurement specialists and compliance officers
- Standardization bodies and testing laboratories
Related standards
For implementation, consult the full EN ISO 90‑2:1999 text for complete measurement procedures, numeric correction factors, balance accuracy tables and tolerance values.
