What is Aluminum Foil?
Aluminum foil is a thin, flat sheet of pure aluminum or aluminum alloy, typically rolled to a thickness of 0.2 mm (200 microns) or less. It is widely used for packaging, insulation, cooking, electronics, and industrial applications due to its lightweight, non-toxic, corrosion resistance, high barrier properties, and excellent formability.
Aluminum foil can be soft or hard, coated or uncoated, and is often laminated with paper, plastic, or other materials for specialized uses.
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Types of Aluminum Foil
| Type | Description | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Household Foil | Soft, food-safe foil for domestic kitchen use | Cooking, freezing, wrapping |
| Pharmaceutical Foil | Usually coated or laminated, excellent barrier against contaminants | Blister packs, strip packs |
| Packaging Foil | Often laminated with paper or plastic for flexibility and sealing | Food & beverage packaging, pouches |
| Industrial Foil | Thick, heavy-duty foil for insulation or EMI shielding | Cable wrap, HVAC, electronics |
| Hairdressing Foil | Easy-to-fold, colored or embossed foil | Hair coloring, salon use |
| Decorative Foil | Colored, embossed or printed for aesthetic effect | Gift wrap, craft, wall coverings |
| Battery Foil | High-purity foil used in lithium-ion batteries (as anode current collector) | EVs, energy storage |
Aluminum Foil Thickness & Grades
✅ Thickness Range
| Category | Thickness |
|---|---|
| Light Gauge Foil | 0.005 – 0.015 mm |
| Medium Gauge | 0.016 – 0.050 mm |
| Heavy Duty Foil | 0.051 – 0.2 mm |
✅ Width Range
100 mm – 1600 mm (custom slitting available)
Common Aluminum Foil Alloys
| Alloy | Series | Features | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1050 | 1xxx | Soft, pure aluminum, high conductivity | Household foil, packaging |
| 1100 | 1xxx | Excellent corrosion resistance | Insulation, heat exchangers |
| 1235 | 1xxx | Excellent barrier properties | Flexible packaging foil |
| 3003 | 3xxx | Higher strength, good formability | Roofing insulation, heat shields |
| 8011 | 8xxx | Most widely used, good formability, non-toxic | Food, pharma packaging, lids |
| 8021 | 8xxx | Excellent elongation and deep drawing | Pharmaceutical blister foil |
| 8079 | 8xxx | Superior strength and puncture resistance | Laminated foil, sachets |
Surface Finishes of Aluminum Foil
| Finish Type | Description | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Bright One Side | One glossy and one matte side | Cooking foil, printing |
| Dull Both Sides | Uniform matte surface | Industrial uses |
| Lubricated Foil | With food-safe oil to enhance workability | Container production |
| Coated Foil | Coated with lacquer, adhesive, or primer | Pharmaceutical, printed wrappers |
| Printed Foil | Multicolor printed for branding | Food packaging, chocolate wraps |
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Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value/Range |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.005 mm – 0.20 mm |
| Width | 100 mm – 1600 mm |
| Alloy | 1050, 1100, 1235, 8011, 8021, 8079, etc. |
| Temper | O (soft), H18 (hard), H22/H24 (semi-hard) |
| Tensile Strength | 80 – 150 MPa (varies by alloy/temper) |
| Elongation | ≥1% to ≥12% (based on temper) |
| Surface Quality | Free from oil spots, roll marks, pinholes |
| Coating (if any) | Lacquer, primer, heat-seal, anti-corrosive |
| Core ID | 76 mm, 152 mm, 200 mm |
| Coil Weight | 50 – 500 kg (or jumbo roll >1000 kg) |
| Packing | Fumigation-free wooden box with moisture protection |
Product Packaging
Adopting a professional industrial packaging solution that is moisture-proof and scratch resistant, each batch of steel is tied and fixed with customized wooden frames/steel strips, combined with anti rust coatings and cushioning pads to ensure zero damage during transportation. Clear product model, batch number, and storage identification on the outer packaging, supporting customized enterprise logos and information labels. Environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging materials practice green concepts, reducing transportation and disassembly costs.
Key Features of Aluminum Foil
- ✅ Lightweight and Flexible – Can be easily wrapped or shaped
✅ Barrier Properties – Blocks moisture, light, oxygen, and microorganisms
✅ Non-Toxic and Odorless – Safe for food contact
✅ Heat Conductive – Ideal for cooking and heat insulation
✅ Recyclable – 100% recyclable with minimal energy consumption
✅ Corrosion Resistant – Forms natural protective oxide layer
✅ Customizable – Can be embossed, printed, laminated, or coated
Aluminum Foil in Packaging
Aluminum foil provides an absolute barrier to:
Moisture
Oxygen
Light
Odors
Microorganisms
It is often laminated with PET, PE, or paper for added strength, heat sealability, or printability.
✅ Packaging Applications:
Chocolate wrapping
Tea and coffee pouches
Milk and yogurt lids
Retort pouch for ready meals
Stick packs and sachets
Blister packaging for tablets
Household vs. Industrial Foil
| Feature | Household Foil | Industrial Foil |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 9 – 20 microns | 30 – 200 microns |
| Packaging | Roll in box with cutter | Jumbo roll, palletized |
| Use Case | Cooking, storage | Insulation, packaging, electronics |
| Surface | Bright / dull sides | Custom coating, embossed, etc. |
Aluminum Foil vs. Plastic Film
| Property | Aluminum Foil | Plastic Film (e.g., PET, PE) |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier to Light | Excellent | Poor to Moderate |
| Barrier to Gas | Excellent | Moderate |
| Heat Resistance | High | Low to Moderate |
| Recyclability | Fully recyclable | Limited (depending on plastic type) |
| Printability | Good with coating | Excellent |
How to Choose the Right Aluminum Foil?
Define End-Use – Food, pharma, HVAC, EMI shielding?
Pick the Alloy – 8011 for food, 8021 for pharma, 1100 for industrial
Select the Temper – Soft for wrapping, hard for container forming
Decide on Coating – Lacquer, primer, heat seal, anti-corrosive
Choose Packaging Type – Jumbo roll, slit roll, boxed roll
Request Certifications – FDA, SGS, ISO, REACH, RoHS
Common Applications
Insulation and Construction
Roof insulation foil
HVAC duct wrapping
Reflective insulation rolls
Soundproof barriers
Radiant barrier foil under roofs
Electrical & Electronics
Electromagnetic shielding (EMI/RFI)
Cable wrap and insulation
Capacitor foil
Battery electrode materials (anode current collector in Li-ion batteries)
Food Services
Takeaway container foil
Wrapping and grilling foil
Portion packs (butter, honey, sauces)
Certifications & Quality Control
We supply foil that conforms to:
✅ ASTM B479, EN 546, GB/T 3198
✅ ISO 9001, ISO 14001
✅ FDA approved for food contact
✅ SGS / BV / TUV inspected
✅ Pinholes < 5 per m² (for food-grade foil)
✅ Thickness tolerance: ±4% (standard)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can aluminum foil go in the oven?
Yes. Aluminum foil is oven-safe and widely used for baking, roasting, and grilling.
Q2: Is aluminum foil safe for food?
Yes. It is non-toxic, non-reactive, and safe for wrapping, storing, and cooking food. Avoid use with acidic or salty foods at high heat.
Q3: What’s the difference between hard and soft temper?
Soft (O): Easily folded and wrapped, ideal for packaging and household use
Hard (H18): Higher strength, used for containers and pharma applications
Q4: Do you offer printed or color foil?
Yes. We supply multicolor printed foil, embossed foil, and colored lacquered foil for branding and decorative packaging.
Q5: What is the MOQ?
Minimum order quantity is usually 1 ton, depending on specifications. Custom orders for jumbo or slit rolls are available.
Why Global Clients Choose Us?
Henan Gengfei Industrial Co., Ltd. is China’s leading supplier of steel and other metal products. Our company is dedicated to providing its customers with the quick quotes, superior quality products, competitive prices and fastest possible deliveries.
Request an Appointment
Looking for a reliable supplier of aluminum bars in various shapes and alloys? Contact us for technical consultation, pricing, and delivery options. We provide OEM, bulk orders, and international shipping.
