What is 8021 Aluminum Foil?
8021 aluminum foil is a core product within the 8000 series aluminum alloy foils. It is manufactured using high-purity aluminum as the base, with precisely added iron (Fe) and silicon (Si) alloying elements.
Its core chemical characteristic ishigh iron and low silicon: the Fe content reaches 1.2–1.7%, which is significantly higher than that of 8011 aluminum foil. This is the fundamental reason for its excellent deep-drawing performance.
Compared to ordinary pure aluminum foil, 8021 aluminum foil achieves a comprehensive upgrade in strength, ductility, barrier properties, and processing adaptability. It has become the mainstream preferred material for pouch battery aluminum plastic films, cold-formed pharmaceutical foils, and high-end food packaging.
8021 Aluminum Foil Technical Specifications
| Item | Parameters |
| Typical Alloy | 8021 |
| Tempers | O, H14, H16, H18, H19, H22, H24, H26, H28 |
| Thickness (mm) | 0.006–0.2 |
| Width (mm) | 100–1700 |
| Length | Customized on demand (C) |
| Core ID | 76mm / 152mm |
| Min. Slitting Width | 10mm |
Worthwill supports customized thickness, width, and tempers according to customer needs. Both small and large batch orders are accepted.
8021 Aluminum Foil Surface Treatment Options
Worthwill offers a variety of surface treatments to meet the functional and aesthetic requirements of different industries.
8021 Bare Foil (Mill Finished)
Bare foil retains the natural silvery-white metallic luster after rolling. The surface is flat and uniform without any extra coating.
This is the most versatile surface state, suitable for food packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, lithium battery aluminum plastic films, and other applications that require high surface cleanliness.
Main features:
- Clean surface with extremely low pinhole rate; passes the water brush test at Grade A standard.
- Non-toxic and odorless, passes bacteria and mold tests, conforming to food-contact hygiene requirements.
- Silvery-white luster, ready for direct lamination, printing, coating, and other subsequent processing.
8021 Heat Seal Coated Foil
Heat seal coated aluminum foil is coated with PE or modified PE materials on the 8021 aluminum foil substrate, forming a heat-sealable functional layer after curing.
The coating bonds firmly with the foil, offering high heat seal strength and excellent sealing performance. It is widely used in pharmaceutical blister packaging, flexible food packaging, and other scenarios requiring reliable heat sealing.
Main features:
- High heat seal strength and reliable sealing, effectively preventing content leakage.
- Non-toxic and odorless coating, complying with food and pharmaceutical packaging hygiene standards.
- Strong adhesion to the aluminum substrate; not prone to delamination.
8021 Color Coated Foil
Color coated aluminum foil applies a functional organic coating to the 8021 foil substrate, which is then cured by high-temperature baking. It offers both decorative and protective properties.
Worthwill provides standard and custom color services. Regular colors include silver, gold, black, red, blue, etc. Customers can also customize colors by providing a Pantone or RAL color code.
Optional surface finishes:
- Gloss
- Matte
- Embossed
8021 Anti-corrosion Coated Foil
Anti-corrosion coated aluminum foil significantly enhances the acid and alkali corrosion resistance of the foil by applying a special anti-corrosion coating, thereby extending the product's lifespan.
This product is mainly suitable for special applications with high corrosion resistance requirements, such as enhanced pouch battery aluminum plastic films and certain chemical/industrial packaging fields.
Main features:
- Significantly improved resistance to acid and alkali corrosion.
- Good structural integrity for stable long-term performance.
- Can be combined with other surface treatments for customized solutions.
8021 Aluminum Foil Chemical Composition
| Element | Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Zn | Others (Each) | Others (Total) | Al |
| Content (%) | ≤0.15 | 1.2–1.7 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.15 | Remainder |
Executive Standards: ASTM B373 / GB/T 3198 / YBB 00152002
8021 Aluminum Foil Mechanical Properties
| Temper | Tensile Strength σb (MPa) | Yield Strength σ0.2 (MPa) | Elongation δ (%) | Cupping Value (mm) |
| O (Annealed) | 70–100 | — | ≥18 | 5.5–7.0 |
| H14 | 110–140 | ≥85 | ≥4 | — |
| H18 | ≥160 | ≥140 | ≥1 | — |
| H22 | 90–120 | — | ≥8 | — |
| H24 | 110–140 | ≥90 | ≥4 | — |
Note: The cupping value (Erichsen value) in the O temper can reach 5.5–7.0mm. This is the core indicator for evaluating deep-drawing performance and determines the upper quality limit of pouch cell stamping and forming.
8021 Aluminum Foil Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
| Density | 2.71–2.73 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | Approx. 640–660°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | Approx. 160–220 W/m·K |
| Coefficient of Linear Expansion | 23 μm/m·°C (20–100°C) |
| Electrical Resistivity | Approx. 0.040 μΩ·m |
| Electrical Conductivity | Approx. 56% IACS |
Core Advantages of 8021 Aluminum Foil
Superior Deep Drawing:Elongation≥18%, cupping value 5.5–7.0mm. Crack-free stamping, ideal for pouch battery films.
- Ultimate Barrier:70% fewer pinholes. Highly effective at blocking moisture, oxygen, and light.
- Electrolyte Resistance:Withstands long-term lithium battery electrolyte erosion, preventing film delamination.
- High Strength:40% higher tensile strength. Excellent resistance to bursting, puncturing, and tearing.
- Safe & Hygienic:Grade A wettability, heavy metals <0.25ppm. Fully meets food and pharma-grade standards.
- Easy Processing:Surface tension≥65 mN/m. Ensures sharp printing and easy lamination with Nylon/PE.
8021 Aluminum Foil Application Areas
Lithium Battery Pouch Cell Aluminum Plastic Film
8021 aluminum foil is the core middle layer of the pouch lithium battery aluminum-plastic composite film, directly determining the battery's sealing, formability, and cycle life.
The aluminum plastic film is a multi-layer structure: the outer nylon layer provides mechanical protection, the middle 8021 aluminum foil layer provides barrier and anti-corrosion functions, and the inner heat seal layer ensures sealing.
Recommended specifications: Thickness 0.036–0.055mm, O or H22 temper, cupping value ≥5.5mm.
Pharmaceutical Packaging
8021 aluminum foil is widely used in various pharmaceutical packaging forms, including blister packaging (PTP foil), cold-formed pharmaceutical foil (alu-alu foil), and tropical blister foil.
Its pinhole-free nature, high cupping value, excellent heat seal strength, and strong barrier properties make it fully compliant with the stringent sealing and moisture-proof requirements of pharmaceutical packaging.
Recommended specifications: Thickness 0.018–0.065mm, O or H14 temper, high heat seal strength, reliable sealing.
Food Packaging
8021 aluminum foil is suitable for flexible composite packaging for meat, dairy products, chocolate, liquid foods, etc. It can withstand high-temperature retort sterilization processes while maintaining package integrity.
The surface is clean and non-toxic, passing bacteria and mold tests, effectively extending the shelf life of food and ensuring food safety.
Recommended specifications: Thickness 0.020–0.200mm, O, H22, or H24 temper.
Other Application Areas
In addition to the three core fields above, 8021 aluminum foil is also used in:
- Daily Chemicals & Cosmetics Packaging: High barrier properties protect product quality and prevent ingredient oxidation.
- Container Foil: Safe, hygienic, and resistant to high/low temperatures; suitable for takeout and catering.
- Electronics & Electrical: EMI shielding, heat dissipation, and cable wrapping.
- Building Insulation: Moisture-proof and thermal insulation layers for insulation systems.
8021 VS. 8011 VS. 8079 Aluminum Foil
The main market competitors for 8021 aluminum foil are 8011 and 8079 foils. Understanding their differences helps in accurate material selection.
| Comparison | 8021 Aluminum Foil | 8011 Aluminum Foil | 8079 Aluminum Foil |
| Fe Content | 1.2–1.7% | 0.6–1.0% | 0.7–1.3% |
| Si Content | ≤0.15% | 0.5–0.9% | 0.05–0.30% |
| Elongation | Higher (≥18%) | Medium | Higher (≥20%) |
| Cupping Value | 5.5–7.0mm | 4.5–6.0mm | 6.2–7.5mm |
| Deep Drawing | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Strength | Medium | Medium-High | Medium |
| Price Range | Medium-High | Medium | Medium-High |
| Main Uses | Pouch battery foil, cold-formed pharma foil, food packaging | Food packaging, pharma blister, cable foil, closure/cap stock | High-end pharma packaging, liquid food packaging |
8021 Aluminum Foil Temper Selection Guide
Different applications have varying mechanical property requirements. Choosing the right temper is crucial.
| Temper | Characteristics | Recommended Applications |
| O (Annealed) | Fully annealed, best ductility | Deep drawing, pouch cell aluminum plastic film, cold-formed pharma foil |
| H14 | Half hard, balances strength and ductility | Pharma blister packaging, food packaging |
| H18 | Full hard, highest strength | Industrial foil, cable wrapping |
| H22 | Quarter hard, stabilized | Food packaging, general composite packaging |
| H24 | Half hard, partially annealed, balanced | Food packaging, composite substrates |
Selection Advice:For deep drawing and forming (e.g., pouch cells, cold-formed pharma foil), prioritize the O temper. If a certain degree of hardness and stiffness is required (e.g., blister packaging, composite food packaging), choose H14 or H24 temper.
Worthwill Quality Control System
Worthwill has established a complete, full-process quality control system to ensure stable and consistent performance for every batch of 8021 aluminum foil.
- Raw Material Control:We use high-purity aluminum ingots (purity ≥99.7%) and employ three-stage filtration technology during melting to ensure material purity from the source.
- Rolling & Annealing Control:Cold rolling is equipped with an AGC/AFC automatic thickness control system. Annealing temperature deviation is controlled within ±3°C, ensuring high consistency between batches.
- Full Finished Product Inspection:Full-width thickness scanning, pinhole detection, and mechanical property tests are conducted strictly. Heavy metal content is strictly kept below 0.25ppm.
- Traceability:Every roll has a unique batch number for full traceability. We offer a 6-month quality guarantee from the date of delivery.
Executive Standards
Worthwill 8021 aluminum foil can be manufactured according to the following international and domestic standards, meeting global compliance procurement needs:
- ASTM B373 (American Standard Specification for Aluminum Foil)
- GB/T 3198 (Chinese Standard for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Foil)
- YBB 00152002 (Chinese Standard for Pharmaceutical Aluminum Foil)
- BS EN 485-2 (European Standard for Aluminum Alloys)
- JIS H4160 (Japanese Standard for Aluminum Foil)
For other standards (Russian, European, etc.), please contact the Worthwill technical team to confirm.
Packaging and Delivery
Packaging Method:Inner PE foam protection, encased in a plastic bag with montmorillonite desiccant for moisture proofing, wrapped in kraft paper, and finally suspended and fixed in an export-grade wooden case. Foam protection is added to both ends of the core to effectively prevent mechanical damage and moisture during transportation.
Delivery Time:7–45 days for standard specifications, subject to order confirmation.
MOQ:Small batch orders are supported. Minimum order quantity is 1 ton. Bulk orders are prioritized for production scheduling.
Export Services:Worthwill products have been exported to multiple countries and regions worldwide. We provide complete export customs clearance documents and support FOB, CIF, and other trade terms.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: How should I choose between O temper and H14 temper?
A: If deep drawing and forming are required (such as for pouch cell aluminum plastic films or cold-formed alu-alu foil), the O temper is the first choice. If you need a certain degree of hardness and stiffness (such as for blister packaging or food composite packaging), the H14 temper is more suitable.
Q2: Can 8021 aluminum foil come into direct contact with food and medicine?
A: Yes. Worthwill's 8021 aluminum foil strictly controls heavy metal content below 0.25ppm and passes various tests for bacteria and mold. It complies with the hygiene and safety standards for food and pharmaceutical contact materials and can be used with confidence.
Q3: How should I choose between 8021 and 8011 aluminum foil?
A: If your application requires high deep-drawing performance and elongation (e.g., pouch batteries, cold-formed pharmaceutical foil), choose 8021 foil. If your application prioritizes strength and corrosion resistance, requires large volumes, and is cost-sensitive, 8011 foil is a better option.
Q4: Do you support sending samples?
A: Yes. You are welcome to contact the Worthwill sales team to request samples. We will recommend the appropriate specifications and tempers based on your application needs.