Aluminum 8079 · temper
Aluminum 8079-H18
Properties of the H18 condition, compared with the other 8079 tempers.
As-rolled full-hard foil: highest strength and tear resistance, used for thin gauge laminating and capacitor/cable foil.
What is 8079-H18?
8079-H18 is 8079 in the H18 temper — as-rolled full-hard foil: highest strength and tear resistance, used for thin gauge laminating and capacitor/cable foil. 8079-H18 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi). 8079-H18 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).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 222 W/m·K (128.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of aluminum grades
- High electrical conductivity — 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 72/100, better than 83% of aluminum grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 100°C (212 °F), worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades
- Limited ductility — 2.5%, worse than 83% of aluminum grades
8079-H18 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 8079-H18 — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 8079 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the aluminum grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
8079-H18 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-H18 has a yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Elongation at break is 2.5% and the elastic modulus is 69 GPa (10 Msi).
Thermal6
8079-H18 is rated for continuous service to 100°C (212 °F). It conducts heat at 222 W/m·K (128.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 94% of aluminum grades. Thermal expansion is 23.6 µm/m·K (13.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
8079-H18 conducts electricity at 57 % IACS, better than 94% of aluminum grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (72/100), better than 83% of aluminum grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 8079-H18 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-H18's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 8079 tempers and conditions
8079 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 8079 overview.
- H18As-rolled full-hard foil: highest strength and tear resistance, used for thin gauge laminating and capacitor/cable foil.145 MPa yield · 44 HB
- OStandard soft household/packaging foil: maximum ductility, deep-drawable, heat-sealable laminates.35 MPa yield · 22 HB
Working with 8079-H18
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.
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.
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 | — |
8079-H18 — frequently asked
What is 8079-H18 used for?
8079-H18 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-H18?
8079-H18 has a typical yield strength of 145 MPa (21 ksi) and a tensile strength of 160 MPa (23.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of aluminum grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 8079-H18 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 91% of aluminum grades). Rarely machined — extremely soft and gummy; foil is slit, die-cut or laser-cut rather than turned or milled.
Can 8079-H18 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-H18?
Normally supplied bright- or matte-rolled and then lacquered, printed or laminated to PET/PE; anodizing is poor due to high Fe.
Can 8079-H18 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-H18?
8079-H18 is rated for continuous use to about 100°C (212 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 8079-H18?
Yes — 8079-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 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.