Application of Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis to Investigate Corrosion Problems in Plain Tinplate Food Cans and Examine Glass and Glass-Like Particles Found in Canned Food

Authors

James E. Charbonneau

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Abstract

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Microanalysis (EDS) have been used to investigate product container interaction problems in plain tinplate metal food containers and to examine glass and glass-like particles that were found in canned food.

Through the use of SEM-EDS, it was determined that: sulfate containing particles from the cannery cooling water reacted with exposed iron or tin-iron alloy on the tinplate surface causing an external rusting problem; sulfur dioxide was responsible for a container discoloration and a pitting corrosion problem in canned fruit nectar; hydrogen sulfide produced from the SO2-tinplate reaction was the cause of an associated off-odor problem; copper, possibly from a side seam welding operation, excessive headspace oxygen and a beading defect on the container body wall helped explain a detinning and pitting corrosion problem in canned fried apples.

a quantitative SEM-EDS method was used to measure the composition of glass particles in two alleged product tampering cases involving canned food. Glass-like particles from a tomato powder and canned peas were also examined.

Recommended Citation

Charbonneau, James E. (1988) "Application of Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis to Investigate Corrosion Problems in Plain Tinplate Food Cans and Examine Glass and Glass-Like Particles Found in Canned Food," Food Structure: Vol. 7: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/foodmicrostructure/vol7/iss2/6