To study the strength advantages of pressurized cans used for food packaging, two indicators of can strength, maximum axial load and maximum external pressure, were investigated experimentally. Unbeaded 303 × 406 steel cans having several thicknesses and tempers with various internal pressures were tested. Also tested were beaded steel cans and aluminum cans with 206 × 406 dimensions. Failure of the cans was by both buckling and yielding. the results indicated that steel can thicknesses could be significantly reduced, and beading eliminated, by using internal pressure to supplement can strength.