Overview
ISO 90-3:2000 is the International Standard that defines terminology, dimensions and methods for determining capacities for aerosol cans made from light gauge metal. Part 3 of the ISO 90 series focuses on round aerosol containers (two-piece, three-piece and monobloc types) with a maximum nominal material thickness of 0.49 mm. The standard sets out how to measure diameters and heights, calculate brimful and gross lidded capacities, apply capacity tolerances and assign a standard designation for aerosol cans.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: Precise definitions for aerosol can types (three-piece, two-piece, monobloc), shapes (straight-sided, necked-in) and terms such as aperture, body height and overall height.
- Dimensions:
- Measurement methods for internal/external body diameters (plug gauge, vernier calliper) and necked-in diameters.
- Measurement of heights using vernier callipers or height gauges.
- Rules for deriving nominal diameters and nominal heights by rounding to the nearest millimetre.
- Capacity determination:
- Brimful capacity (C2) and gross lidded capacity (C1) are determined gravimetrically using water mass.
- A temperature-dependent correction factor table is provided to adjust volume calculations if high precision is required.
- Requirements for balance accuracy by mass ranges to ensure reliable capacity measurement.
- Filling procedure for brimful tests, including use of a transparent disc with holes to close the aperture and avoid trapped air.
- Tolerances on capacity:
- The standard specifies capacity tolerances by capacity ranges (see Table 3 in ISO 90-3). It also states that at least 99.7% of individual cans should lie within the specified tolerance limits.
- Designation:
- Recommended international designation formats (examples: C-D-H for cylindrical cans, and C-D/D-H for necked-in cans).
- Informative annex:
- Annex A gives dimensional details of top ends for three-piece necked-in tinplate cans.
Practical applications and users
ISO 90-3 is intended for:
- Aerosol can manufacturers (design, tooling, QA)
- Packaging engineers and product designers specifying container geometry and capacity
- Quality control and testing laboratories performing dimensional and capacity verification
- Suppliers of tinplate and aluminium cans and converters who need standard designations and tolerances
- Regulatory and procurement teams requiring consistent specifications for interchangeability of valves and closures
Practical benefits include consistent dimensional language, reproducible capacity testing procedures, and internationally recognized designation and tolerancing that support manufacturing consistency and global supply chains.
Related standards
Standards referenced in the bibliography include material specifications relevant to aerosol cans:
- ISO 11949:1995 - Cold-reduced electrolytic tinplate
- ISO 11950:1995 - Cold-reduced electrolytic chromium/chromium oxide-coated steel
- EN 541:1995 - Aluminium and aluminium alloys - rolled products for cans, closures and lids
Keywords: ISO 90-3, aerosol cans, light gauge metal containers, brimful capacity, gross lidded capacity, nominal diameter, necked-in, two-piece, three-piece, monobloc, dimensions, tolerances.