Aluminum 8011 · temper
Aluminum 8011-H18
Properties of the H18 condition, compared with the other 8011 tempers.
Standard temper for pharmaceutical blister (push-through) foil and stiff strip — high strength, low elongation.
What is 8011-H18?
8011-H18 is 8011 in the H18 temper — standard temper for pharmaceutical blister (push-through) foil and stiff strip — high strength, low elongation. 8011-H18 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 8011-H18 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 620°C (1,148 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 205 W/m·K (118.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 87% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 76% of aluminum grades
8011-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 8011-H18 — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 8011 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
8011-H18 has a density of 2.71 g/cm³ (0.0979 lb/in³), heavier than 51% of aluminum grades. It melts at 620°C (1,148 °F).
Mechanical11
8011-H18 has a yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
8011-H18 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 205 W/m·K (118.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.4 µm/m·K (13 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
8011-H18 conducts electricity at 44 % IACS, better than 85% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 71% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 8011-H18 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
8011-H18's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 8011 tempers and conditions
8011 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 8011 overview.
- H18Standard temper for pharmaceutical blister (push-through) foil and stiff strip — high strength, low elongation.165 MPa yield · 53 HB
- H14The workhorse strip/foil-stock temper: enough strength for closures, fin stock and container foil while still forming well.120 MPa yield · 42 HB
- OPick for deep-drawn caps, soft household/lidding foil and maximum formability.40 MPa yield · 24 HB
Working with 8011-H18
Is 8011 easy to machine?
Very soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; rarely machined since it ships as thin strip/foil.
Can 8011 be welded?
Not heat-treatable, so no HAZ softening problem beyond annealing; TIG/MIG with 1100 or 4043 filler works on strip, but typical foil gauges are joined by adhesive lamination or heat-seal lacquer instead.
Can 8011 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent rollability to <10 µm foil and good drawing/curling in O–H24 tempers; harder H18/H19 tempers are chosen for push-through blister foil where controlled brittleness is wanted.
What surface finishes work on 8011?
Normally chromate/chrome-free conversion coated then lacquered, printed or PET/PE laminated; anodizing is possible but gives a dull grey film because of the Fe/Si intermetallics.
8011 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Si | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| FeFe-rich intermetallics give the fine grain/foil rollability | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Mg | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Cr | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Ti | ≤ 0.08 | — |
| Others (each)total 0.15 max | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Al | balance | — |
8011-H18 — frequently asked
What is 8011-H18 used for?
8011-H18 is typically used for pharmaceutical blister and push-through foil, food packaging foil, bottle cap and closure stock, air-conditioner fin stock, cable sheathing strip and container lidding foil. In short: foil and cap closure alloy.
What is the yield strength of 8011-H18?
8011-H18 has a typical yield strength of 165 MPa (23.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) — weaker than 59% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 8011-H18 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 86% of aluminum grades). Very soft and gummy — use polished high-rake carbide, high speed, generous coolant/lubricant to avoid built-up edge; rarely machined since it ships as thin strip/foil.
Can 8011-H18 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Not heat-treatable, so no HAZ softening problem beyond annealing; TIG/MIG with 1100 or 4043 filler works on strip, but typical foil gauges are joined by adhesive lamination or heat-seal lacquer instead.
What surface finishes work on 8011-H18?
Normally chromate/chrome-free conversion coated then lacquered, printed or PET/PE laminated; anodizing is possible but gives a dull grey film because of the Fe/Si intermetallics.
Can 8011-H18 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent rollability to <10 µm foil and good drawing/curling in O–H24 tempers; harder H18/H19 tempers are chosen for push-through blister foil where controlled brittleness is wanted.
What is the maximum service temperature of 8011-H18?
8011-H18 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 8011-H18?
Yes — 8011-H18 is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 573-3 / EN 546-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — foil: mechanical properties — CEN (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 8011 foil / closure stock technical data — Aluminium foil producers (Hydro, Novelis, ) (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.