Advantages of 6.25mic and 7mic aluminum foils
Core advantages of 6.25 micron Aluminium Foil for Lamination
Extreme lightweight and cost advantages: 6.25 micron is the thinnest Aluminium Foil for Lamination specification in the field of printing and lamination, with a unit area weight of only about 17.3 grams per square meter (the density of aluminum is calculated as 2.78g/cm³), which is about 10.7% lighter than 7 micron aluminum foil. This lightweight feature can not only reduce the overall weight of packaging materials and reduce transportation energy consumption, but also significantly reduce the cost of raw materials. It is especially suitable for mass-produced affordable printed products, such as snack packaging bags, ordinary gift boxes, etc.
Excellent flexibility and formability: The thinner thickness gives 6.25 micron Aluminium Foil for Lamination higher flexibility, and its elongation at break can reach more than 18% (after annealing). In the complex lamination process, it can closely fit the surface texture of substrates such as paper and film, and it is not easy to crack or wrinkle even when facing curved surfaces or angled structures, ensuring that the edges of printed products are smooth and the shape is stable.
Efficient lamination adaptability: The surface tension of 6.25 micron Aluminium Foil for Lamination is uniform, and it is highly compatible with adhesives. It can quickly form a strong composite structure during the lamination process. Its thin thickness can also reduce the overall thickness after lamination, so that the printed product maintains a light and thin feel, which is suitable for making products that need to be folded or curled, such as cigarette linings, book cover hot stamping layers, etc.
Core advantages of 7 Micron Aluminum Foil
Stronger mechanical strength and durability: The thickness of 7 micron aluminum foil is about 12% higher than that of 6.25 microns, and the tear strength is significantly improved, which can reach more than 3.5N/15mm. During the processing, transportation and use of printed products, it can better resist external friction and extrusion, and reduce the damage of the metal layer caused by mechanical damage. It is especially suitable for printed products that need to be repeatedly folded or used outdoors, such as handbags, outdoor advertising panels, etc.
Excellent barrier properties: The increase in thickness directly improves the barrier ability of aluminum foil to light, oxygen and water vapor. The oxygen permeability of 7-micron aluminum foil is lower than 0.05cm³/(m²・24h・0.1MPa), and the water vapor permeability is lower than 0.03g/(m²・24h), which are about 15% and 20% lower than 6.25-micron aluminum foil, respectively. This feature makes it outstanding in printing and packaging that needs to be preserved for a long time, such as the outer printing of tea cans and the lining of food gift boxes.
More stable printing performance: The surface flatness of 7-micron aluminum foil is higher, and the thickness tolerance can be controlled within ±0.3 microns, which can reduce the ink color difference caused by uneven material thickness during the printing process. At the same time, the thicker metal layer can better reflect light, making the colors of special printing processes such as hot stamping and UV more vivid and glossier, and enhancing the visual impact of printed products.
Specific uses of 6.25mic and 7mic aluminum foil for printing
Typical application scenarios of 6.25 micron aluminum foil
Light packaging printing: In the packaging of fast-moving consumer goods such as snacks and candies, 6.25 micron aluminum foil is often compounded with BOPP film and paper to make three-side sealed bags or pillow bags. Its light and thin characteristics can reduce packaging costs, and the metallic texture can enhance the product grade, such as the matte aluminum foil layer of potato chip packaging bags and the gold embossed layer of chocolate packaging.
Book and stationery decoration: In the printing of hardcover book covers and notebook covers, 6.25 micron aluminum foil achieves hot stamping or laser effects through lamination. For example, the silver-stamped title of the textbook cover and the metallic texture frame of the notebook have flexibility that can adapt to the repeated bending when the book is opened and closed, and are not easy to fall off.
Label and sticker printing: In scenarios such as beverage bottle labels and cosmetic bottle stickers, 6.25 micron aluminum foil can be compounded with PET film to achieve metallic label printing. Its thin and light characteristics will not increase the weight of the bottle, and its good water resistance can ensure that the label remains intact in a humid environment.
Typical application scenarios of 7-micron aluminum foil
High-end gift packaging printing: In the printing of luxury gift boxes and holiday gift boxes, 7-micron aluminum foil is compounded with thick cardboard to form a hard and metallic packaging box body. For example, the golden aluminum foil layer of the red wine gift box and the mirror aluminum foil lining of the jewelry box, its high strength can protect the gift box from deformation during transportation, and its high barrier property can prevent the moisture-proof agent in the gift box from failing.
Outdoor advertising and display materials: In the printing of billboards and light box cloth, 7-micron aluminum foil is compounded with PVC film to resist ultraviolet radiation and rain erosion. Its high reflectivity can enhance the visual effect of the advertising pattern, and its tear resistance ensures that the material is not easily damaged during long-term outdoor use.
Functional packaging printing: In the packaging of products such as tea and coffee that need to be moisture-proof and anti-oxidation, 7-micron aluminum foil is compounded with aluminum-plastic film to form a high-barrier packaging bag. For example, the excellent barrier properties of aluminum foil packaging bags for black tea and bar packaging for instant coffee can extend the shelf life of the product by more than 12 months.
The 6.25mic and 7mic aluminum foils produced by HTMM in Henan, China are of good quality
Precision manufacturing process guarantees
HTMM has introduced a high-precision four-roll rolling mill imported from Germany, which can control the thickness tolerance of aluminum foil within ±0.2 microns, far exceeding the industry average standard of ±0.5 microns. Its original "gradient annealing process" can accurately control the hardness and flexibility of aluminum foil. The elongation at break of 6.25 micron aluminum foil is stable at 18%-22%, and that of 7 micron aluminum foil is maintained at 16%-20%, ensuring that the two specifications of aluminum foil can do their best in lamination printing. In addition, the company uses 100% high-purity aluminum ingots (purity above 99.7%) as raw materials to avoid the impact of impurities on the surface quality of aluminum foil from the source. The surface roughness (Ra) of its aluminum foil can be controlled below 0.05μm, providing a smooth substrate for printing.
Strict quality control system
HTMM has established a full-process quality inspection system, and each roll of aluminum foil must undergo 32 index tests. In the online inspection link, a laser thickness gauge is used to monitor the thickness change in real time to ensure that the thickness fluctuation of each meter of aluminum foil does not exceed 0.1 microns; in the offline inspection, an electron microscope is used to check the surface pinholes, requiring the number of pinholes per square meter to be ≤3 (diameter ≤0.03mm), which is far lower than the industry standard of ≤10. The company has also passed the ISO 9001 quality management system and FDA food contact material certification. The heavy metal content (lead, cadmium, etc.) of the aluminum foil it produces is less than 0.01mg/kg, which meets the safety requirements of printing and packaging materials.
Customized service capabilities
HTMM can provide personalized aluminum foil solutions for the needs of different printing companies. For example, the 7-micron aluminum foil customized for high-precision hot stamping can increase the surface tension to more than 38dyn/cm and improve the adhesion of the hot stamping foil; the 6.25-micron aluminum foil designed for lightweight packaging can be double-sided corona treated to enhance compatibility with adhesives. The company is also equipped with a professional technical team to provide customers with guidance on lamination process parameters, such as recommending the best composite temperature (80-100℃), adhesive coating amount (3-5g/m²), etc., to help customers improve production efficiency.
Stable supply chain guarantee
HTMM has an aluminum foil production line with an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons, which can ensure a stable supply of 6.25-micron and 7-micron aluminum foils, with a minimum order quantity as low as 500kg, to meet the flexible procurement needs of small and medium-sized printing companies. Its storage system adopts a constant temperature and humidity design, and the aluminum foil rolls are protected from moisture or oxidation during storage, with a shelf life of more than 12 months. In addition, by optimizing the logistics network, the company can achieve 48-hour delivery across the country, shortening the production cycle for customers.
In the field of printing and lamination, 6.25-micron and 7-micron aluminum foils have their own focuses, and together they provide support for the functionality and aesthetics of printed products. With its precise manufacturing process, strict quality control and flexible customization services, HTMM in Henan, China, has made these two specifications of aluminum foil stand out in the market and become a reliable choice for printing companies. Whether it is lightweight packaging that pursues cost advantages or high-end printed products that focus on quality, HTMM's aluminum foil can meet the needs and inject momentum into the innovative development of the printing industry.
