| abstract |
Metal sheet product, more particularly food can stock and beer and beverage can tab, end and body stock, is treated with a lubricant made by blending a mixture consisting essentially of about 25-90 wt.% of: (i) an ester selected from the group consisting of: bis(2-ethylhexyl)sebacate (or DOS), butyl stearate, and an acetylated, partially hydrogenated soybean oil; and (ii) about 10-75 wt.% of a blend consisting essentially of: (a) about 35-65 wt.% of a polyalphaolefin; and (b) about 65-35 wt.% of a microcrystalline wax; with a balance of incidental additives and impurities. With said composition applied thereon, in preferred average thicknesses between about 3-110 mg/ft2 for can tab stock and between about 3-35 mg/ft2 for can end and body stock, the invention produces prelubricated can stock in a suitable condition for conversion without further lubrication. |