A quantitative study of blister growth on lacquered food cans by scanning acoustic microscopy

Scanning acoustic microscopy was used to image blistering of samples from food cans, internally coated with an epoxy-modified polyester lacquer, during exposure to aerated brine. Results were subjected to quantitative image analysis and have been discussed in the light of different models of blistering. The samples were taken from the side wall of the can, which had been formed by the draw–redraw process from pre-lacquered electro-chrome-coated steel sheet, thus providing insights into the effects of lacquer deformation.