Aluminum foil plays a crucial role in modern food packaging and storage solutions. As one of the most widely used metals for food packaging applications, aluminum foil offers a combination of properties that make it ideal for protecting, preserving and extending the shelf life of a wide variety of products. Within the aluminum foil industry, 8079 alloy aluminum foil has emerged as the solution of choice for many food packaging applications due to its superior barrier performance. This article will examine the key properties and benefits of 8079 alloy aluminum foil that make it so well-suited for the demands of the food packaging sector.
What is 8079 Alloy Aluminum Foil?
8079 alloy aluminum foil refers to aluminum foil produced using a specific aluminum alloy designated as 8xxx series aluminum alloy 8079 by The Aluminum Association. Aluminum alloy 8079 contains a nominal composition of 99% aluminum, 0.8% manganese and 0.05% chromium. The addition of manganese and chromium gives 8079 alloy its enhanced barrier properties compared to pure aluminum foil or other aluminum alloys like 1100 or 3003 series aluminum.
Specifications of 8079 aluminum foil for flexible packaging
| Type |
|
|
| Application | To be used for food packaging/Cigarette packaging after lamination | |
| Alloy | 8079 | |
| Temper | O | |
| Thickness | 0.006mm-0.09mm | |
| Width | 200mm-1700mm | |
| Surface | One side bright,One side matt | |
| Packaging | Free Fumigated wooden box |
If you are interested in 8079 aluminum foil or need to purchase 8079 aluminum foil for flexible packaging, you can contact us directly.
At the heart of 8079 alloy's effectiveness for food packaging lies its extremely low gas transmission rates. Tests have shown 8079 alloy aluminum foil to have oxygen transmission rates up to 8 times lower than standard pure aluminum foil or 3003 alloy foil. Its extremely low permeability to oxygen, moisture, aromas and other gases that can degrade foods makes 8079 alloy an excellent oxygen and moisture barrier for extending product shelf life.
Other qualities that make 8079 alloy well-suited for food packaging applications include:
Excellent formability - Can be easily formed into foil, laminates, pouches and other shapes required by various packaging formats.
Durable yet lightweight - Provides protection without adding significant weight to packaged products.
Corrosion resistance - Resists corrosion and chemical reactions with foods and other package components.
Recyclable - Highly recyclable at end of product lifecycle.
Inert properties - Doesn't interact or react with the foods it contains.
Affordable cost - Provides barrier benefits at reasonable prices relative to alternative barrier materials like plastics.
The Barrier Benefits of 8079 Alloy Foil in Food Packaging
The superior barrier properties of 8079 alloy aluminum foil make it an excellent choice for a wide range of food packaging applications where protection from gases is important. Some key ways 8079 alloy foil helps extend food freshness and shelf life include:
Meat, poultry and seafood packaging - 8079 foil-based packaging traps in aromas and moisture while blocking out oxygen that causes spoilage. This keeps meats fresher for longer.
Snack food packaging - Chips, crackers and bakery items stay crisp longer when packaged in 8079 foil bags or pouches thanks to its extreme resistance to oxygen and moisture.
Dry food storage - Pasta, rice, flour and other dry goods maintain freshness for months longer versus loose or plastic storage due to 8079 foil's robust gas barrier.
Cheese packaging - Wrapping cheese in 8079 foil sheets, pouches or laminates keeps it from drying out while resisting external odors that could taint flavors.
Fresh produce packaging - 8079 foil clamshell containers and bags slow the ripening process for fruits and vegetables, extending their shelf life by days or even weeks.
Frozen food packaging - Whether overwrapped on pizza boxes or used to line freezer bags, 8079 foil shields frozen meals and ingredients from accumulation of "freezer burn" caused by air's oxidization.
Specialty item packaging - Barrier benefits of 8079 foil make it perfect for items like coffee pods that can degrade quickly when exposed to air, keeping flavors fresher longer.
As the gold standard for aluminum foil used in food applications, 8079 alloy has become an indispensable part of modern food preservation techniques. By leveraging its extremely low permeability to gases responsible for food deterioration, 8079 foil has helped transform how products are protected, transported and sold globally. Its durable yet lightweight attributes have also revolutionized packaging formats with the rise of innovative flexible pouch designs.
Forming and Production of High Quality 8079 Foil
While 8079 alloy delivers top-tier barrier performance, the full benefits can only be realized through careful production and forming techniques. Leading global aluminum foil producers have made significant investments to optimize how 8079 alloy foil is converted into the various shapes and applications needed by food companies.
Key aspects of high-quality 8079 foil production include:
Raw Material Sourcing - Sourcing of premium-grade 8079 alloy ingot from major aluminum smelters ensures consistency in alloy chemistry from batch to batch.
Temper Mill Rolling - Multi-step rolling and annealing process stretches and work-hardens the aluminum, developing desired density and thin gauges with an ultra-smooth surface ideal for barrier performance.
Coil Winding - Computer-controlled winding produces wide master coils optimized for maximum yield in the slitting process. Precise tension is critical to avoid breaking or deforming the foil.
Slitting - Master coils are cut into narrower coil widths demanded by various end markets from household to industrial sizes. High-precision equipment guarantees accurate widths within microns.
Sheeting and Cutting - Coils are unraveled and fed through sheeting lines to produce cut sheets sized for specific applications like overwraps, liners or food service packaging components. Tight width tolerances are maintained.
Laminating - 8079 foil can be laminated to paper, plastic or polymer films to add strength, printability or other characteristics while retaining the aluminum's gas barrier attributes. Adhesive coatings are carefully applied.
Pouch and Bag Making - Leading makers employ specialized converted pouch lines optimized for 8079 foil/polymer laminates to produce stand-up pouches, pillow bags and other flexible formats widely used by packaged goods brands.
Quality is monitored every step of the way through stringent statistical process controls. Regular testing verifies 8079 alloy foil meets or exceeds industry specifications for purity, thickness, width tolerances and barrier properties like water vapor and oxygen transmission. Only the highest quality 8079 foil undergoes finishing, packaging and global distribution.
If you are interested in 8079 aluminum foil or need to purchase 8079 aluminum foil for flexible packaging, you can contact us directly.
Continued Innovation in 8079 Alloy Foil Applications
As food preservation and packaging demands evolve, aluminum foil producers are constantly innovating to develop new applications for 8079 alloy that push the boundaries of shelf life extension. Some exciting new horizon technologies include:
Active and Intelligent Packaging - Researchers are working to incorporate oxygen scavengers, ethylene absorbents and freshness indicators directly into 8079-based laminate structures for next-gen monitoring and protection capabilities beyond traditional barrier attributes.
Antimicrobial Packaging - Pairing 8079 foil's barrier performance with antibacterial film coatings could further reduce microbial degradation risks, allowing longer time between production and consumption.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - Embedding tiny RFID chips and antennas in 8079-comprised packaging enables real-time tracking through the cold food supply chain, assisting with inventory management, traceability and freshness dating.
Zero-Waste Packaging - New recycling methods aim to divert all post-consumer 8079 packaging from landfills, transitioning the aluminum into new barrier materials via melting and reshaping processes with low environmental impact.
Nanocoatings - Ultra-thin gas barrier enhancements at the nanoscale have potential to push 8079 aluminum foil's already superb barrier abilities even higher for extending the shelf life limits of extremely perishable products.
As the leading aluminum alloy for food packaging demands unparalleled barrier protection, 8079 alloy foil manufacturers will continue refining production techniques and developing innovative new applications to serve the ever-changing needs of global consumers and brands. With its high recyclability and sustainably produced from one of the world's most abundant metals, 8079 alloy aluminum foil is well-positioned to remain a foundational part of packaging solutions for generations to come.
