O (annealed)
Softest condition with the highest elongation. Used for deep draws and wrinkle-wall containers where the foil gathers into pleats around the corners.
Packaging materials guide
Aluminium Foil for Food Containers and Trays
Food container foil is the aluminium foil that container makers press into takeaway trays, baking pans, airline meal dishes and lids. The right alloy, temper and gauge decide whether a tray draws without cracking, holds its shape when full and survives oven and freezer. Metline supplies container foil in jumbo and slit rolls to container manufacturers worldwide; this guide explains how to choose it.
- Alloys
- 8011, 3003, 3004, 8006
- Tempers
- O, H22, H24
- Gauge
- 0.03 – 0.20 mm
- Form
- Jumbo and slit rolls
What container foil is and who uses it
Aluminium foil containers are formed on presses from flat foil in a single stroke. A die set draws the foil into a cavity, forms the walls and curls the rim, producing anything from a small muffin cup to a deep catering tray. The process is fast and nearly scrap-free, but it is very sensitive to the foil: small changes in strength, elongation, thickness or lubrication show up as torn corners, split rims or trays that collapse when lifted.
Container foil is therefore a specified product, not general-purpose foil. It is supplied to container and tray manufacturers in alloy and temper combinations chosen for the container style, with tight gauge tolerance, a clean degreased or evenly lubricated surface, and coils wound to run continuously on automatic presses.
Metline supplies the foil: jumbo rolls for slitting and slit rolls to the width of your press. We do not make or sell finished containers. The sections below cover the material choices that container makers and their buyers need to agree.
Alloys used for food container foil
| Alloy | Main elements (wt %) | Character | Typical container use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8011 | Fe 0.6 – 1.0, Si 0.5 – 0.9 | Good balance of formability and strength; the most common container alloy | Wrinkle-wall trays, lunch boxes, baking dishes |
| 3003 | Mn 1.0 – 1.5, Cu 0.05 – 0.20 | Stronger and stiffer than 8011 at the same gauge | Rigid and smoothwall containers, larger trays |
| 3004 | Mn 1.0 – 1.5, Mg 0.8 – 1.3 | Higher strength again; allows thinner gauge for rigid shapes | Smoothwall containers, lids, deep rigid dishes |
| 8006 | Fe 1.2 – 2.0, Mn 0.3 – 1.0 | High strength with good elongation in the soft temper | Deep-drawn and heavy-duty trays |
| 1235 / 1100 | Al ≥ 99.35 % / ≥ 99.00 % | Very soft and ductile, lower strength | Shallow trays, cups and liners |
| 5052 | Mg 2.2 – 2.8 | High strength and corrosion resistance | Special rigid lids and containers |
Composition ranges are Aluminum Association / EN 573-3 limits for the main alloying elements. Aluminium intended for food contact must also meet EN 602 limits on certain impurity elements; every Metline lot carries a mill test certificate with the actual analysis.
Choosing the temper: O, H22 or H24
H22 (quarter hard)
Strain-hardened then partially annealed. Slightly stronger than O while keeping good formability; a common all-round choice for standard takeaway trays.
H24 (half hard)
Higher strength and stiffness for rigid and smoothwall containers that must stack and carry weight; less elongation, so draw depth is limited.
H26 / H18
Harder tempers used mainly for lids and flat components that are not deeply drawn.
The temper should match both the container geometry and the die design. A die built for H22 foil may tear O-temper foil less often but produce floppy trays; the same die with H24 foil may give rigid trays but split corners. When changing supplier or alloy, run a die trial and agree mechanical property ranges in the purchase specification.
Container foil specification range
Typical supply range
- Alloys
- 8011, 3003, 3004, 8006, 1235, 1100, 5052
- Tempers
- O, H22, H24, H26, H18
- Thickness
- 0.03 – 0.20 mm (most containers 0.038 – 0.10 mm)
- Width
- About 100 – 1,600 mm, slit to press width
- Core
- 76 mm (3 in) or 152 mm (6 in) aluminium or steel cores
- Coil size
- Outer diameter and coil weight to suit your decoiler
- Surface
- Both sides bright, or one side bright one side matte; degreased or evenly lubricated
- Coatings
- Gold, coloured or clear protective lacquer; release coatings; printed foil on request
Standard combinations ship fastest; special alloys, coatings and widths are confirmed per enquiry.
| Container style | Typical alloy and temper | Typical gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Wrinkle-wall takeaway tray | 8011-O or 8011-H22 | 0.04 – 0.08 mm |
| Smoothwall container (lid-sealable) | 3003-H24, 3004-H24, 8011-H24 | 0.08 – 0.15 mm |
| Deep catering / roasting pan | 3003 or 8006, O or H22 | 0.08 – 0.20 mm |
| Small cups and liners | 1235 or 8011-O | 0.03 – 0.05 mm |
| Board-lid or flat foil lid | 8011 or 3003, H24 – H18 | 0.05 – 0.10 mm |
Food contact compliance
Aluminium foil is one of the most widely used food-contact materials, but buyers in regulated markets need documents that tie each lot to the relevant rules. These are the points usually covered:
- EN 602 sets the composition requirements for wrought aluminium intended for contact with food; container alloys such as 8011, 3003 and 3004 are normally supplied to it
- EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 is the framework for all food-contact materials in the EU; a declaration of compliance accompanies supply
- Council of Europe Resolution CM/Res(2013)9 gives guidance on metals and alloys in contact with food, including a specific release limit for aluminium
- Lacquers and coatings must meet the rules for coating materials in the destination market, for example the US FDA 21 CFR 175.300 for resinous coatings
- Lubricants used on the foil for forming must be food-grade and applied evenly at a controlled level
- Pinholes and cleanliness are checked to agreed limits; foil is degreased by annealing and packed to prevent contamination
Aluminium release into food increases with acidic or salty foods and with long contact at high temperature. Container makers often use a protective lacquer on the food-contact side for tomato-based, citrus or heavily salted products.
Quality points that matter on a container press
| Property | Why it matters | How it is controlled |
|---|---|---|
| Gauge tolerance | Thickness variation changes draw behaviour and container weight | Online gauge control during rolling; checked per coil |
| Mechanical properties | Strength and elongation decide tearing and stiffness | Tensile test per lot against agreed ranges |
| Flatness and coil shape | Wavy edges or tight centres cause feed problems and wrinkles | Tension levelling, shape measurement |
| Surface cleanliness | Residual rolling oil can stain, smell or contaminate food | Annealing and degreasing; wettability test |
| Pinholes | Affect barrier and appearance | Light-table or online pinhole detection |
| Splice and core quality | Breaks and splices stop automatic presses | Limit on joints per coil; marked splices |
| Packing | Damaged edges and moisture cause rejects | Sealed film, desiccant, eye-to-sky or eye-to-wall crating |
Practical tips for forming foil containers
- Match temper to dieConfirm the temper the die was designed for. Changing from H22 to O or H24 usually needs die clearance or blank-holder adjustment.
- Control lubricationToo little lubricant causes tearing at corners; too much causes slipping and oil residue. Agree the lubricant type and coating weight with the foil supplier.
- Store foil properlyKeep coils in a dry area at stable temperature and let them reach press-room temperature before opening to avoid condensation and oxide staining.
- Check rim curlSplit rims point to low elongation or excessive work-hardening; consider a softer temper or slightly heavier gauge.
- Validate with food testsFor new products, test containers with the actual food, cooking and freezing cycle, especially for acidic or salty contents.
Containers made from aluminium foil
- Takeaway and delivery containers with board, foil or film lids
- Ready-meal trays for supermarkets, sealed with heat-seal lidding film
- Bakery pans, pie dishes and cake moulds
- Airline and institutional catering dishes
- Roasting and catering pans for events and food service
- Pet food trays (see the dedicated pet food container foil guide)
References and standards
- EN 602 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: wrought products, chemical composition of semi-products used for food contact
- EN 546-2 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: foil, mechanical properties
- Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
- Council of Europe Resolution CM/Res(2013)9 on metals and alloys used in food contact materials
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
Food container aluminium (aluminum) foil: FAQ
Which alloy is best for aluminium foil containers?
8011 is the most common choice for wrinkle-wall trays because it balances formability and strength. 3003 and 3004 are preferred for rigid and smoothwall containers, where stiffness and lid sealing matter.
What thickness is used for takeaway containers?
Most takeaway trays use 0.04 – 0.08 mm foil. Smoothwall and larger catering pans use 0.08 – 0.15 mm or more, depending on size and load.
What is the difference between wrinkle and smoothwall containers?
Wrinkle-wall containers gather the foil into pleats at the corners and use soft, thin foil. Smoothwall containers have unpleated walls and a flat rim that can be heat-sealed; they need stronger alloys and heavier gauge.
Is container foil food-safe?
Container foil supplied to EN 602 composition limits, with clean surfaces and food-grade lubricants, is suitable for food contact. Buyers usually request a declaration of compliance for the destination market with the mill certificate.
Do you sell finished foil containers?
No. Metline supplies container foil in jumbo and slit rolls to container manufacturers. We can match alloy, temper, gauge, width and coil size to your press line.
Can the foil be lacquered or coloured?
Yes. Clear, gold and coloured lacquers and protective food-side coatings are available on request, along with release coatings for baking applications.
Sourcing container foil for your press line?
Send alloy, temper, gauge, width, coil size and volume. We will confirm availability, certification and delivered terms.
