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8011 vs 8021 vs 8079 Aluminum Foil
8011, 8021 and 8079 are all 8xxx-series aluminum foil alloys used in packaging and converting, but they should not be treated as interchangeable. The right choice depends on the foil temper, gauge, forming depth, laminate structure, pinhole requirement, surface condition and the finished package—not the alloy number alone.
Compare alloy + temper + thickness + forming + pinholes + laminate/coating + regulatory requirements.
8011 vs 8021 vs 8079: Quick Comparison
The table below is a procurement-oriented comparison, not a substitute for a purchase specification. Mechanical performance can change substantially with temper and foil thickness, while the finished laminate or coating system may be as important as the base aluminum foil itself.
| Selection Factor | 8011 Aluminum Foil | 8021 Aluminum Foil | 8079 Aluminum Foil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy family | 8xxx wrought aluminum alloy | 8xxx wrought aluminum alloy | 8xxx wrought aluminum alloy |
| General purchasing position | Broad packaging and converting alloy | Often evaluated for forming-intensive foil structures | Often evaluated for flexible and thin-gauge converting |
| Temper focus | O and H-series conditions are common depending on use | O temper is particularly relevant where softness and forming are required | O and H-series conditions are selected by converting requirement |
| Typical purchasing questions | Container, wrapping, household, lidding or flexible packaging? | How deep is the forming operation and what laminate is used? | What gauge, converting process and roll/surface requirement applies? |
| Thickness sensitivity | Important | Important, especially with forming requirements | Important, especially in thin-gauge converting |
| Pinhole requirement | Buyer/application specific | Buyer/application specific | Buyer/application specific |
| Best way to specify | Alloy + temper + gauge + roll + end use | Alloy + temper + gauge + forming depth + laminate | Alloy + temper + gauge + surface + converting process |
What Each Alloy Is Commonly Used to Solve
8011 Aluminum Foil
8011 is widely supplied for packaging and food-service converting because it can be produced in soft and harder temper conditions and in a broad range of foil formats. Buyers use it for household foil, catering foil, container-related applications, flexible packaging and other converted structures where the final temper and gauge are selected for the process.
For available dimensions and commercial supply details, see 8011 Aluminum Foil.
8021 Aluminum Foil
8021 contains a higher controlled iron range than 8011 and 8079 in the Aluminum Association registration. In commercial foil supply, it is commonly evaluated in soft-temper, forming-intensive structures where the aluminum layer must tolerate substantial deformation without being selected only for stiffness.
For O/H tempers, custom roll supply and RFQ details, see 8021 Aluminum Foil.
8079 Aluminum Foil
8079 is commonly supplied as flexible packaging aluminum foil for lamination and other converting applications where a thin foil layer, controlled roll condition and adequate ductility are important. Its practical performance still depends on gauge, temper, surface and the converter's downstream process.
For available foil rolls and processing options, see 8079 Aluminum Foil.
8011 vs 8021 vs 8079 Chemical Composition
The Aluminum Association Teal Sheets are the defining registration source for international wrought aluminum alloy designations and their chemical composition limits. The three alloys are all aluminum-rich 8xxx alloys, but their registered silicon and iron ranges are different. In the table below, a single number is a maximum limit unless a range is shown.
| Element | 8011 | 8021 | 8079 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.50–0.90% | ≤ 0.15% | 0.05–0.30% |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.60–1.00% | 1.20–1.70% | 0.70–1.30% |
| Copper (Cu) | ≤ 0.10% | ≤ 0.05% | ≤ 0.05% |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.20% | — | — |
| Magnesium (Mg) | ≤ 0.05% | — | — |
| Chromium (Cr) | ≤ 0.05% | — | — |
| Zinc (Zn) | ≤ 0.10% | — | ≤ 0.10% |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.08% | — | — |
| Other, each / total | ≤ 0.05 / ≤ 0.15% | ≤ 0.05 / ≤ 0.15% | ≤ 0.05 / ≤ 0.15% |
| Aluminum | Remainder | Remainder | Remainder |
O, H18, H22 and H24: Why Temper Can Matter as Much as Alloy
One of the most common sourcing mistakes in an aluminum foil temper comparison is comparing 8011, 8021 and 8079 without stating temper. The Aluminum Association's H35 designation system distinguishes annealed and strain-hardened conditions. In practical foil purchasing, the temper changes how soft, stiff and formable the roll behaves during rewinding, lamination, folding, pressing and forming.
O Temper
O denotes an annealed condition. For foil applications, O temper is commonly considered when softness and ductility are important. This is why 8021-O appears frequently in forming-oriented packaging discussions. However, the actual elongation requirement should still be defined by thickness and the agreed specification.
H-Series Tempers
H tempers identify strain-hardened conditions. H1x tempers are based on strain hardening, while H2x tempers involve strain hardening followed by partial annealing. The second digit indicates degree of strain hardening within the designation system. For buyers, that means H18, H22 and H24 should not be treated as interchangeable shorthand for “hard foil.”
A packaging converter should therefore ask a more useful question than “Is 8021 better than 8011?” The useful question is: which alloy and temper combination meets the forming, stiffness, sealing, lamination and roll-running requirements of the actual package?
Which Aluminum Foil Is Better for Deep Forming?
For deep-forming or cold-form laminate structures, 8021 in a suitable soft condition is often one of the first alloys evaluated. That does not mean 8021 automatically outperforms every 8011 or 8079 foil. Forming performance is a system property: foil temper, aluminum-layer thickness, rolling and annealing history, laminate construction, adhesive, forming-tool geometry and forming depth all matter.
Does 8021 or 8079 Have Fewer Pinholes?
It is not technically sound to assign a universal pinhole ranking to 8011, 8021 and 8079. ASTM B926 is specifically a method for identifying and counting pinholes in plain aluminum foil by light-table inspection, and ASTM notes that pinholes may increase as foil thickness decreases. This is why a buyer should define the pinhole acceptance criterion instead of relying on an alloy claim such as “zero pinholes.”
Thickness
Thinner foil is generally more sensitive to pinhole occurrence and process variation. State the actual gauge in microns or millimetres.
Process Quality
Rolling condition, cleanliness, inclusions, surface condition and handling can influence the finished foil quality.
Inspection Method
Define how pinholes are counted, the sample area, acceptance level and whether an inspection report is required.
If your first question is the correct foil gauge rather than alloy selection, use our Aluminum Foil Thickness Guide. That guide covers thickness units, typical application ranges, roll specifications and RFQ details without duplicating the alloy-selection focus of this article.
Which Alloy Fits Which Packaging Application?
The following table is intentionally written as “common,” “evaluate” and “application-specific” rather than yes/no. Packaging structures vary by converter, region, line speed, coating system and customer qualification.
| Application | 8011 | 8021 | 8079 | What the Buyer Must Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household / catering foil | Common | Usually unnecessary unless a special process requires it | Application-specific | Gauge, temper, roll format, surface |
| Container / semi-rigid packaging | Common in suitable temper | Evaluate for special forming structures | Application-specific | Temper, forming, stiffness, coating |
| Flexible packaging laminate | Common | Evaluate | Common | Gauge, pinholes, surface, lamination |
| Cold-form / deep-form laminate | Evaluate by structure | Strong candidate for evaluation | Evaluate by structure | O temper, forming depth, aluminum-layer gauge, full laminate |
| Lidding / converted packaging | Common in many structures | Application-specific | Common in selected flexible structures | Coating, sealing, print/lamination process |
| Pharmaceutical packaging structure | Possible depending on structure | Commonly evaluated for selected forming structures | Commonly evaluated for selected flexible structures | Finished structure, regulatory standard, coating/laminate, qualification |
| Battery pouch laminate | Not a default selection | Possible in selected laminate systems | Possible in selected laminate systems | Full pouch laminate specification; do not confuse with current-collector foil |
For a broader overview beyond these three grades—including packaging, insulation, electronics and general converting—see Industrial Aluminum Foil Uses and the main Aluminum Foil product hub.
8011, 8021 or 8079 for Pharmaceutical Packaging?
A base alloy number does not by itself make foil “pharmaceutical grade.” Pharmaceutical packaging performance and compliance depend on the complete material structure. Depending on the package, that may include the base aluminum foil, temper, gauge, coating or heat-seal lacquer, polymer layers, adhesives, printing, forming process, barrier requirement and applicable regulatory documentation.
ASTM B479 is a specification for annealed aluminum and aluminum-alloy foil used in flexible barrier, food-contact and other applications. Its scope names 8011 and 8079 among the alloys included, while stating that the list is not limited to those alloys. For any 8021 order, the buyer and supplier should still define the actual purchase specification rather than assuming conformity from the grade name alone.
For a regulated packaging RFQ, state the complete requirement
Voyage Metal can review MTC/MTR/COA, FDA-related documentation and project-specific testing requirements with the RFQ. Final compliance should be confirmed against the finished application and destination requirements.
Why We Do Not Publish One Universal Strength-and-Elongation Ranking
A comparison article can look precise while being technically misleading if it lists one tensile strength and one elongation value for each alloy without controlling the test condition. Aluminum foil mechanical properties depend on temper, thickness, production route and test method. Comparing 8011-H18 at one gauge with 8021-O at another gauge does not prove a general alloy ranking.
For a real project, request mechanical-property limits for the exact alloy + temper + thickness being quoted. Where forming is critical, elongation or forming trials may be more useful than a generic material table copied from a different foil condition.
How to Choose Between 8011, 8021 and 8079
A practical purchasing decision starts with the package and production process, not with a price list. Use the sequence below to avoid over-specifying an expensive structure or under-specifying a foil that fails during converting.
Define the End Use
Household foil, container, flexible laminate, cold-form package, lidding or another converted structure.
Define the Process
Wrapping, pressing, deep forming, laminating, coating, printing, sealing, slitting or rewinding.
Select Temper
Decide whether the process needs a soft annealed condition or a harder strain-hardened condition.
Set Foil Gauge
Specify thickness in microns or millimetres, plus the required tolerance where it matters to the line.
Set Quality Criteria
Confirm surface, pinhole acceptance, edge quality, core ID, roll OD/weight and winding condition.
Confirm Documentation
List COA/MTC/MTR, food-contact or FDA-related documentation, third-party testing and destination requirements.
Product Pages and Foil Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between 8011, 8021 and 8079 aluminum foil?
They have different registered chemical composition limits and are commonly selected for different converting priorities. 8011 is a broad packaging alloy, 8021 is often evaluated for soft-temper and deeper-forming structures, and 8079 is commonly evaluated for flexible and thin-gauge converting. The final decision still depends on temper, thickness and finished package design.
Is 8021 better than 8011 aluminum foil?
Not universally. 8021 may be a stronger candidate where soft temper and deep forming are central requirements. For general household, catering, container or common flexible-packaging applications, 8011 may be fully suitable and more directly aligned with the required process. Compare the complete specification, not the grade name alone.
What is the difference between 8021 and 8079 aluminum foil?
Their Aluminum Association composition limits differ, especially in iron and silicon. In commercial foil selection, 8021 is often associated with forming-oriented soft foil structures, while 8079 is commonly used in flexible and thin-gauge converting. Temper, thickness, surface and laminate design can change the practical result.
Which aluminum foil alloy is used for pharmaceutical packaging?
More than one alloy can be used in pharmaceutical packaging structures. 8011, 8021 and 8079 may appear in different base-foil or laminate applications. “Pharmaceutical grade” cannot be established by alloy number alone; the finished structure, coating or laminate, forming process, quality criteria and regulatory requirements must also be specified.
Which alloy has better formability?
There is no valid universal ranking without specifying temper and gauge. 8021-O is commonly evaluated for forming-intensive structures, but actual formability should be verified against the thickness, laminate, tooling and forming depth used by the converter.
Does the aluminum foil alloy determine pinhole count?
No. Alloy can be one factor, but foil thickness, rolling quality, cleanliness, inclusions, surface condition, handling and inspection method also matter. ASTM B926 provides a light-table method for identifying and counting pinholes in plain aluminum foil.
Can 8021 or 8079 be used for battery pouch packaging?
They may be evaluated as the aluminum layer in selected battery pouch laminate structures, depending on the complete pouch specification. This is different from battery current-collector aluminum foil, which has a different function and technical specification.
How This Comparison Was Checked
This article separates registered alloy chemistry from application guidance. Chemical composition is checked against the Aluminum Association's international wrought-alloy registration record. Foil pinhole and packaging-standard references are taken from ASTM. Application suitability remains specification-dependent and should be confirmed for the finished package.
- The Aluminum Association — Teal Sheets: International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
- The Aluminum Association — ANSI H35.1 alloy and temper designation system / Aluminum Standards & Data resources
- ASTM B926-09(2025) — Pinhole Determination in Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Plain Foil
- ASTM B479-19 — Annealed Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Foil for Flexible Barrier, Food Contact and Other Applications
Technical note: standards and customer specifications can change. Always verify the edition, end-use requirement and purchase specification that apply to the actual order.
Comparing 8011, 8021 and 8079 for a Real Project?
Send the application, alloy/temper under consideration, foil thickness, width, forming or converting process, core/roll requirement, order quantity, pinhole or surface criteria, required documents and destination. Voyage Metal can review the specification before quotation.