Food grade aluminum packaging products refer to aluminum materials and products that meet food safety standards and are specifically used for packaging food. The following introduces you to the common types, characteristics and application areas:
Common types of food grade aluminum packaging
Aluminum foil packaging
A thin plate made of pure aluminum or aluminum alloy, the thickness is generally between 0.006-0.2 mm. Commonly used for baked food packaging, candy and chocolate packaging, convenience food packaging, dairy product packaging, and pharmaceutical packaging.
Aluminum can packaging
Cans are mainly divided into ordinary cans and two-piece cans. Cans are usually used to package liquid foods such as carbonated drinks and beer, while two-piece cans are widely used in the field of beverages and canned foods, such as canned fruit, canned meat, etc.
Aluminum box packaging
Aluminum boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be used to package pastries, cooked food, fast food and other foods. Some high-end baked foods are usually packaged in aluminum boxes, which can better maintain the shape and taste of the food.
Features of food-grade aluminum coils
Aluminum has good barrier properties and can effectively block the effects of oxygen, water vapor, light, etc. on food, prevent food from oxidation, moisture, and deterioration, and extend the shelf life of food. For example, potato chips packaged in aluminum foil can well maintain the crisp taste of potato chips.
Strong corrosion resistance:
Aluminum easily reacts with oxygen in the air to form a dense aluminum oxide film on the surface, which can protect aluminum products from corrosion by acids, alkalis, salts and other substances in food, ensuring food safety.
Good thermal conductivity:
Aluminum has good thermal conductivity, so that the food in the package is heated evenly. It can be used for some food packaging that needs to be heated, such as aluminum foil baking trays, aluminum fast food boxes, etc., which is convenient for quickly heating food in ovens, microwave ovens and other equipment.
High recyclability:
Aluminum is a recyclable material, and the energy consumption of recycling is only about 5% of the energy consumption of primary aluminum production, which is conducive to environmental protection and resource recycling.
How to choose the aluminum foil alloy series?
1. 1 Series Aluminum Alloy (Pure Aluminum)
Characteristics: high purity (usually ≥99%), strong corrosion resistance, excellent ductility, easy processing.
Common grades: 1060, 1100, 1235, etc.
Application:
1060: high purity (99.6%), used for packaging of safety-critical medicines, candies, etc.
1100: contains a small amount of iron and silicon, with balanced comprehensive performance, suitable for the production of soft packaging foil, container foil, etc.
1235: commonly used in cigarette packaging, electronic capacitor foil, etc., with good shielding and corrosion resistance.
2. 3 Series Aluminum Alloy (Manganese Alloy)
Characteristics: adding manganese (0.1%~1%) to enhance strength and corrosion resistance while maintaining good processing performance.
Common grades: 3003, 3004, etc.
Application:
3003: used for food containers requiring high strength, such as beverage cans and cooking bags.
3004: Contains magnesium and manganese, suitable for deep-drawing packaging, such as beer bottle caps, milk powder cans, etc.
3. 8 series aluminum alloy (other element alloys)
Features: Adding elements such as iron and silicon to optimize processing performance and strength, suitable for complex forming processes.
Common grades: 8011, 8021, 8079, etc.
Application:
8011: The most common food-grade aluminum foil material, used for lunch boxes, egg tart trays, barbecue tin foil, etc., with good stamping performance and corrosion resistance.
8021: Excellent deep-drawing performance, often used for yogurt covers, pharmaceutical packaging, etc.
8079: Used for flexible packaging foil (such as candy, milk powder bags), with excellent barrier and heat sealing properties.
