Aluminum 8079
AA 8079 · EN AW-8079, AW 8079
8079 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Fe-Si alloy (roughly 0.7–1.3 % Fe, 0.05–0.3 % Si) rolled almost exclusively into ultra-thin foil for household, flexible-packaging laminate, pharmaceutical blister, air-conditioner fin and cable-shielding gauges.
8079 tempers and conditions
8079 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Standard soft household/packaging foil: maximum ductility, deep-drawable, heat-sealable laminates. | 35 | 85 | 25 | 22 HB | 58 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, quarter hard | Slightly stiffer than O while keeping good elongation — semi-rigid container and lidding foil. | 75 | 105 | 10 | 30 HB | 58 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, half hard | Half-hard but more ductile than H14 — cable-wrap and semi-rigid foil that must still be folded. | 100 | 125 | 8 | 34 HB | 57.5 % IACS |
Strain hardened, half hard | Half-hard strip/foil where some springback and handling stiffness are needed. | 105 | 125 | 6 | 35 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened and partially annealed, three-quarter hard | Three-quarter hard foil/strip for cable shielding tape and stiffer laminate carriers. | 125 | 145 | 5 | 39 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened, full hard | As-rolled full-hard foil: highest strength and tear resistance, used for thin gauge laminating and capacitor/cable foil. | 145 | 160 | 2.5 | 44 HB | 57 % IACS |
Strain hardened, extra hard | Extra-hard as-rolled gauge (typically 6–12 µm) for high-speed lamination and capacitor foil. | 160 | 175 | 2 | 47 HB | 56.5 % IACS |
What is 8079?
8079 is a non-heat-treatable Al-Fe-Si alloy (roughly 0.7–1.3 % Fe, 0.05–0.3 % Si) rolled almost exclusively into ultra-thin foil for household, flexible-packaging laminate, pharmaceutical blister, air-conditioner fin and cable-shielding gauges. The high iron content forms fine Al-Fe dispersoids that refine the grain and control pinhole count and ductility after hot rolling and annealing, so the alloy rolls stably down to 5–9 µm. Strength is low (about 80 MPa UTS in O temper) and cannot be raised by heat treatment, and the iron level rules out decorative anodizing, so it is not used for structural parts; 8011 is the usual alternative foil alloy. 8079 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 645°C (1,193 °F). 8079 has a yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
What is 8079 used for?
- Household aluminium foil
- Flexible packaging laminate foil
- Pharmaceutical blister push-through lidding
- Air-conditioner fin stock
- Cable shielding tape
- Capacitor foil
- Deep-drawn smoothwall containers
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 96% of aluminum grades
- Conducts heat well — 225 W/m·K (130 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 58 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 35 MPa (5.08 ksi), worse than 96% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades
8079 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among aluminum grades.
Physical3
8079 has a density of 2.72 g/cm³ (0.0983 lb/in³), heavier than 57% of aluminum grades. It melts at 645°C (1,193 °F).
Mechanical10
8079 has a yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
8079 is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 225 W/m·K (130 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 95% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
8079 conducts electricity at 58 % IACS, better than 95% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 8079 takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 12.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of aluminum grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
8079's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the aluminum family
Yield strength against density for every aluminum grade FabDigit runs. 8079 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 8079
Is 8079 easy to machine?
Rarely machined — extremely soft and gummy; foil is slit, die-cut or laser-cut rather than turned or milled.
Can 8079 be welded?
Ultrasonic, resistance seam and foil-to-foil heat sealing work well; fusion welding is impractical at foil gauge.
Can 8079 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O temper — deep-drawn smoothwall containers, blister push-through lidding and crimped edges without cracking.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 8079. Every 8079 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent95 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better75 / 100 |
8079 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 | 0.05 – 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Feprimary strengthening/grain-refining element | 0.7 – 1.3 | 1 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Zn | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Others (each) | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Others (total) | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Alremainder, ≥98.5 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on 8079?
Normally supplied bright- or matte-rolled and then lacquered, printed or laminated to PET/PE; anodizing is poor due to high Fe.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on aluminum parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum 8079 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Aluminum Association
- AA8079
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- AW-8079AW 8079AlFe1Si
- Also called
- 8079-H14
How much does 8079 cost?
8079 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 98% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
8079 — frequently asked
What is 8079 used for?
8079 is typically used for household aluminium foil, flexible packaging laminate foil, pharmaceutical blister push-through lidding, air-conditioner fin stock, cable shielding tape and capacitor foil. In short: premium foil alloy.
What is the yield strength of 8079?
8079 has a typical yield strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) and a tensile strength of 85 MPa (12.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 8079 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 92% of aluminum grades). Rarely machined — extremely soft and gummy; foil is slit, die-cut or laser-cut rather than turned or milled.
Can 8079 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Ultrasonic, resistance seam and foil-to-foil heat sealing work well; fusion welding is impractical at foil gauge.
What surface finishes work on 8079?
Normally supplied bright- or matte-rolled and then lacquered, printed or laminated to PET/PE; anodizing is poor due to high Fe.
Can 8079 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability in O temper — deep-drawn smoothwall containers, blister push-through lidding and crimped edges without cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of 8079?
8079 is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 8079 cost?
8079 is a budget-cost aluminum ($), cheaper than about 98% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 8079?
Yes — 8079 is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- International Alloy Designation and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum (Teal Sheets) — The Aluminum Association (2018)
- EN 546-2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Foil — Mechanical properties — CEN (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Aluminium foil stock alloy datasheets (8011/8079) — Foil producers (Hydro, Novelis, ) (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.