8021 Aluminum Alloy | AA 8021 & EN AW-8021B Properties

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The designation "8021 aluminum" is often used commercially as a general description. However, AA 8021, 8021A and 8021B are registered variations with similar but not identical chemical composition limits.

Designation	Registration Origin	General Description
AA 8021	Japan	Original registered 8021 alloy
8021A	United Kingdom	Modified composition variation
EN AW-8021B	European Aluminium Association	European variation commonly referenced for foil
Al Fe1.5	EN symbolic designation	Symbolic description reflecting controlled iron content

The letters following the four-digit alloy number indicate composition variations. They should not be interpreted as interchangeable versions of the same material without checking the applicable chemistry limits.

The Aluminum Association registration system states that a variation has composition limits that are similar to, but not identical with, the original alloy.

 

 

AA 8021 and EN AW-8021B should not automatically be described as exact equivalents.

Final material approval should be based on:

Specified alloy designation

Applicable standard

Chemical composition

Temper

Thickness

Mechanical property limits

Test method

Mill or inspection certificate

A purchase order that states only "8021 aluminum" may not provide enough information for correct material approval.

Element	AA 8021 Limit, wt.%
Silicon, Si	0.15 max.
Iron, Fe	1.20–1.70
Copper, Cu	0.05 max.
Other elements, each	0.05 max.
Other elements, total	0.15 max.
Aluminum, Al	Remainder

The Aluminum Association registration record lists AA 8021 with silicon at 0.15% maximum, iron at 1.20–1.70%, copper at 0.05% maximum and aluminum as the remainder. 

AA 8021 should not be described as having:

Iron below 0.40%

Aluminum purity of approximately 99.3–99.5%

Those figures do not match the registered AA 8021 composition.

Because iron can represent up to 1.70% of the alloy, the minimum aluminum content cannot be accurately described using the previously published purity range.

EN AW-8021B is a related European alloy variation with wider silicon limits and additional restrictions on several residual elements.

Element	EN AW-8021B Limit, wt.%
Silicon, Si	0.40 max.
Iron, Fe	1.10–1.70
Copper, Cu	0.05 max.
Manganese, Mn	0.03 max.
Magnesium, Mg	0.01 max.
Chromium, Cr	0.03 max.
Zinc, Zn	0.05 max.
Titanium, Ti	0.05 max.
Other elements, each	0.03 max.
Other elements, total	0.10 max.
Aluminum, Al	Remainder

The registered composition tables show that 8021, 8021A and 8021B have different silicon limits and different restrictions on residual elements.

Selection Item	AA 8021	EN AW-8021B
Silicon	0.15% max.	0.40% max.
Iron	1.20–1.70%	1.10–1.70%
Copper	0.05% max.	0.05% max.
Residual-element control	General registered limits	More individually defined limits
Final approval	AA chemistry and purchase specification	EN chemistry, temper and product standard
Automatic interchangeability	No	No

A buyer should therefore specify the exact required designation rather than assuming that every material sold as "8021" complies with both composition systems. 

Iron is the principal controlled alloying element in AA 8021 and EN AW-8021B.

The Al–Fe chemistry, together with rolling reduction and annealing conditions, influences the microstructure and final mechanical behavior of thin rolled material.

Important properties affected by chemistry and processing include:

Grain Structure

Controlled alloy chemistry and thermomechanical processing influence grain size, grain distribution and recrystallization behavior.

A stable grain structure supports more consistent deformation during downstream forming.

Tensile Behavior

The iron-containing intermetallic structure contributes to the balance between tensile strength and ductility.

The finished values are also affected by final thickness, rolling reduction and annealing cycle.

Elongation

For cold-form applications, elongation is one of the most important acceptance parameters.

However, high elongation cannot be guaranteed by alloy designation alone. It must be confirmed by testing the final foil thickness and temper.

Surface and Pinhole Performance

Alloy cleanliness, melt filtration, rolling conditions and final thickness can influence the pinhole level and surface condition.

Pinhole performance is therefore a production-quality characteristic rather than a property determined only by the alloy number.

Forming Stability

The combination of chemistry, grain structure, O-temper annealing and thickness consistency helps determine whether the material can withstand the intended forming depth without tearing.

8021 aluminum is not normally strengthened through precipitation heat treatment in the way that 2xxx, 6xxx and 7xxx alloys are.

Its final strength and ductility are primarily controlled through:

Casting and homogenization

Hot rolling

Cold rolling

Intermediate annealing

Final rolling reduction

Final annealing

Thickness and surface control

The most important commercial conditions are therefore based on annealing and strain-hardening tempers rather than T4, T6 or T651 heat-treatment conditions.

8021-O Temper

O temper indicates a fully annealed condition.

It is normally selected when the material requires:

Higher ductility

Higher elongation

Deeper forming capability

Lower forming stress

Reduced risk of splitting during conversion

Greater tolerance for complex cavity geometry

O temper is the main condition associated with pharmaceutical cold-form laminates and aluminum-plastic battery pouch laminates.

The actual forming capability still depends on thickness, laminate structure, adhesive system, tooling radius and forming depth.

8021-H18 Temper

H18 represents a substantially strain-hardened condition.

Compared with O temper, H18 generally provides:

Higher tensile strength

Higher rigidity

Lower elongation

Reduced deep-forming capability

Better suitability for selected non-deep-drawing converter applications

H18 should not be presented as the standard choice for deep cold forming.

Its use should be confirmed through the purchaser's converter specification and final application requirements.

 

Property	8021-O	8021-H18
Material condition	Fully annealed	Strain hardened
Tensile strength	Lower	Higher
Elongation	Higher	Lower
Deep-forming performance	Preferred	Limited
Rigidity	Lower	Higher
Typical positioning	Cold-form and pouch laminates	Selected converter applications
Final approval	Forming trial and mechanical limits	Strength and conversion requirements

The following table provides reference mechanical-property limits associated with EN AW-8021B foil in O temper.

Foil Thickness	Tensile Strength Rm	Minimum Elongation
6–10 μm	60–100 MPa	2%
Above 10–25 μm	65–105 MPa	3%
Above 25–40 μm	70–110 MPa	7%
Above 40–90 μm	75–110 MPa	12%
Above 90–140 μm	75–110 MPa	14%
Above 140–200 μm	75–110 MPa	16%

EN 546-2 lists EN AW-8021B mechanical-property ranges according to foil thickness, with minimum elongation generally increasing as thickness increases.

For H18 temper, a minimum tensile strength of 160 MPa is referenced for EN AW-8021B foil, while other limits may require agreement between the purchaser and supplier.

 

The table should be used as a technical reference rather than a universal product guarantee.

Final mechanical-property requirements may vary according to:

Alloy designation

Standard edition

Thickness

Test direction

Gauge length

Sample preparation

Customer specification

Final laminate requirements

The purchase order should identify both the required values and the test method.

Property	Typical Reference
Density of AA 8021	Approximately 2.73 g/cm³
Density of 8021A	Approximately 2.72 g/cm³
Density of 8021B	Approximately 2.72 g/cm³
Alloy family	Wrought 8xxx series
Principal alloy characteristic	Controlled Al–Fe chemistry
Heat-treatment response	Non-precipitation-hardening
Common commercial form	Thin rolled foil
Main strengthening route	Cold work and temper control

The Aluminum Association's nominal-density table lists AA 8021 at approximately 2.73 g/cm³ and 8021A/8021B at approximately 2.72 g/cm³.

Physical-property values may vary slightly with exact composition and testing conditions. They should not replace application-specific engineering data.

 

Controlled Chemistry

Registered composition limits provide a defined basis for alloy identification and batch verification.

Stable Annealed Formability

O-temper processing can provide the ductility required for cold-forming operations when the rolling and annealing route is properly controlled.

Thickness-Dependent Mechanical Properties

Tensile strength and elongation must be evaluated according to the finished material thickness rather than using one universal value.

Lamination-Compatible Surface

The finished surface must be clean and free from contamination that could interfere with adhesive bonding, coating or printing.

Pinhole Control

Pinhole requirements become increasingly important as foil thickness decreases.

ASTM B926 provides a light-table method for identifying and counting pinholes and roll holes in plain aluminum foil.

Traceable Material Approval

Chemical analysis, mechanical-property testing and batch identification allow buyers to verify that the supplied material meets the agreed alloy and temper requirements.

1. Alloy Melting and Chemistry Control

Raw materials are melted and adjusted to achieve the required composition.

Spectrometric analysis may be used to confirm the controlled iron, silicon, copper and residual-element limits.

2. Casting

The melt is cast into a rolling slab or other suitable feedstock.

Casting quality influences segregation, intermetallic distribution and downstream rolling performance.

3. Homogenization

Controlled heating can be used to reduce chemical segregation and prepare the cast structure for hot rolling.

4. Hot Rolling

The cast material is reduced to an intermediate rolled gauge.

Temperature control and reduction schedule influence the developing microstructure.

5. Cold Rolling

Additional reductions bring the material closer to the required final thickness.

Cold rolling increases strength and changes grain orientation.

6. Intermediate Annealing

Intermediate annealing may be used to restore ductility and control the structure before further rolling.

7. Final Rolling

The final rolling stage controls thickness profile, surface condition and mechanical response.

8. Final Annealing

For O-temper material, the final annealing cycle is critical to achieving the required tensile strength, elongation and forming behavior.

9. Inspection

Finished material may be inspected for:

Chemical composition

Thickness

Width

Tensile strength

Elongation

Surface appearance

Pinhole level

Edge condition

Batch traceability

 

The following applications describe where the alloy is technically considered. Commercial dimensions and supply details are covered on the separate 8021 aluminum foil product page.

Pharmaceutical Cold-Form Laminates

8021-O is commonly considered for the aluminum barrier layer in cold-form pharmaceutical laminate structures.

A typical structure may include:

OPA / Adhesive / Aluminum / Adhesive / PVC

The aluminum layer supports light protection, barrier performance and cavity-forming capability.

Final package performance depends on the complete laminate, including:

Aluminum thickness

Polymer-layer thickness

Adhesive system

Forming depth

Tooling radius

Seal integrity

Pinhole level

Storage environment

The alloy alone does not determine the performance of the completed pharmaceutical package.

Battery Pouch Laminates

8021-O may be used as the metallic layer in aluminum-plastic laminate structures for pouch battery packaging.

Its function is associated with:

Laminate-forming support

Barrier performance

Mechanical protection

Pouch-cavity formation

This application must be distinguished from battery current-collector foil.

8021 pouch-laminate foil is part of the external flexible packaging structure; it should not automatically be described as the cathode or anode current collector.

High-Barrier Converter Foil

8021 may also be evaluated for specialized converting structures requiring:

Annealed formability

Controlled thickness

Clean lamination surface

Defined pinhole acceptance

Stable mechanical properties

Compatibility with downstream coatings and films

The final grade selection should be confirmed by the converter according to the completed laminate design

8021, 8079 and 8011 are all used in rolled foil and packaging-related applications, but they should not be positioned as interchangeable grades.

Selection Factor	8021 / 8021B	8079	8011 / 8011A
Main positioning	Deep-form and high-barrier converter material	Flexible packaging and laminate applications	General packaging and lidding
Typical buyer priority	Elongation and forming stability	Flexibility and converter performance	Strength, availability and cost-performance
O-temper use	Common	Common in selected structures	Available according to application
Deep cold-form positioning	Frequently evaluated	Alternative by laminate design	Less commonly the first selection
Hard-temper lidding	Not the main positioning	Selected uses	Common commercial positioning
Selection basis	Forming depth and mechanical properties	Laminate flexibility and processing	Temper, strength and general packaging requirement

8021 is commonly evaluated when deeper forming and higher elongation are important.

8079 is frequently considered for flexible packaging, lamination and other soft-foil converting applications.

Neither grade is universally better. Selection depends on:

Foil thickness

Required temper

Forming depth

Laminate structure

Tensile limits

Elongation limits

Converter equipment

Final package testing

8011 is widely used in general packaging, lidding, household foil and converter applications.

8021 has a different registered chemistry and is more specifically positioned for applications where controlled O-temper forming behavior is required.

It is not technically accurate to claim that 8021 always has better corrosion resistance, barrier performance or overall quality than 8011.

For intact aluminum foil, barrier performance is strongly affected by:

Thickness

Pinhole level

Surface damage

Laminate integrity

Seal quality

Forming strain

The correct comparison must therefore be based on the final application rather than a simple "better or worse" rating.

Standard or Reference	Relevance to 8021 Alloy
Aluminum Association Teal Sheets	Registered alloy designation and chemical composition
EN 573-3	Chemical composition and wrought-alloy designation
EN 515	Aluminum temper designation
EN 546-1	Foil inspection and delivery conditions
EN 546-2	Mechanical properties
EN 546-3	Dimensional tolerances
EN 546-4	Special property requirements
ASTM B479	Annealed foil for flexible barrier and related applications
ASTM B926	Pinhole determination using a light table
Customer Specification	Application-specific forming, surface and laminate requirements

 

ASTM B479 covers annealed aluminum and aluminum-alloy foil used for flexible barrier and packaging applications, including foil supplied alone or laminated to paper or plastic film.

ASTM B926 covers the identification and counting of pinholes and roll holes in plain aluminum foil using a light table.

Standards Notice

The standard edition, product form and scope should be checked before including a specification in a purchase order.

ASTM B479 does not list 8021 as the only required alloy and does not by itself define every pharmaceutical or battery-laminate requirement.

Customer-specific mechanical, cleanliness, pinhole and forming criteria remain necessary.

An effective technical specification should include more than the alloy number.

Required Alloy Information

AA 8021, 8021A or EN AW-8021B

Applicable composition standard

Required temper

Material thickness

Mechanical property limits

Required Testing Information

Tensile-strength requirement

Elongation requirement

Test direction

Gauge length

Pinhole test method

Inspection area

Surface acceptance criteria

Required Application Information

Final laminate structure

Forming depth

Cavity dimensions

Corner radius

Adhesive or coating process

Final packaging or pouch application

 

 

Chemical Composition Verification

Chemical analysis should confirm that the batch complies with the specified AA 8021 or EN AW-8021B limits.

Temper Verification

The final temper should be confirmed through production records and mechanical-property testing.

Mechanical Testing

Relevant testing may include:

Tensile strength

Elongation

Yield strength when specified

Test direction

Gauge-length confirmation

Dimensional Inspection

Inspection may cover:

Material thickness

Thickness profile

Width

Dimensional tolerance

Surface Inspection

The surface should be checked for:

Scratches

Oil stains

Embedded particles

Oxidation marks

Holes

Edge damage

Lamination-affecting contamination

Pinhole Inspection

The inspection method, tested area and acceptance level should be defined before production.

A general statement such as "zero pinholes" should not replace an agreed inspection method.

Documentation

Available or agreed documentation may include:

Chemical analysis report

Mechanical-property report

Dimensional inspection report

Certificate of Analysis

Mill Test Certificate

Batch traceability record

Third-party inspection report

 

Alloy Identification Support

We help buyers distinguish AA 8021, 8021A and EN AW-8021B according to chemistry, temper and applicable standards.

Specification Review

Technical information can be reviewed before quotation to identify missing or conflicting requirements.

Application-Based Selection

Material recommendations are based on thickness, forming depth, laminate design and mechanical-property requirements rather than the alloy number alone.

Inspection Coordination

Chemical composition, tensile strength, elongation, dimensions, surface condition and pinhole criteria can be incorporated into the agreed inspection plan.

Commercial Foil Supply

After alloy and technical requirements are confirmed, buyers can proceed to the dedicated 8021 aluminum foil page for custom dimensions, coil configuration, packing and quotation.

At our manufacturing facility, 8021 aluminum foil is produced under a strict quality control system to ensure it meets international standards for pharmaceutical, battery, and food-grade applications.

 

 

🏭 Raw Material Control

We use high-purity aluminum ingots and strictly control alloy composition to guarantee consistent performance of aluminum alloy 8021.

Verified chemical composition before production

Certified raw material suppliers

Traceable batch management system

⚙️ In-Process Quality Control

During production, every stage is monitored to ensure stable quality and precision.

Online thickness measurement system (automatic gauge control)

Rolling process monitoring for uniformity

Surface inspection to prevent scratches, oil stains, and defects

Real-time pinhole detection system

🔬 Laboratory Testing

All finished 8021 aluminum foil products undergo comprehensive testing:

Mechanical properties testing (tensile strength, elongation)

Thickness tolerance inspection

Surface roughness testing

Pinhole inspection (critical for pharmaceutical foil)

Barrier performance testing (moisture & oxygen resistance)

🧪 Pharmaceutical & Food Safety Compliance

Our products comply with international hygiene and safety standards:

Suitable for pharmaceutical packaging (Alu-Alu foil)

Complies with food-grade contact requirements

Clean production environment to avoid contamination

📏 Dimensional Accuracy & Tolerance Control

We maintain strict tolerances to meet global customer requirements:

Thickness tolerance: ±3%

Width tolerance: ±1 mm

Coil alignment and flatness control

📦 Final Inspection & Packaging

Before shipment, each coil of 8021 aluminum foil is inspected and securely packed:

100% visual inspection before delivery

Export-standard seaworthy packaging

Moisture-proof and anti-corrosion protection

Clear labeling and traceability

🌍 Third-Party Inspection (Available)

We support independent inspection upon request:

SGS / BV / TUV inspection available

Mill Test Certificate (MTC EN 10204 3.1) provided

Customer-specified testing standards accepted

 

With strict inspection and quality assurance procedures, we guarantee that every batch of 8021 aluminum foil meets the highest international standards and customer expectations.

 

1. What type of aluminum alloy is 8021?

8021 is an 8xxx-series wrought aluminum alloy with controlled iron content. It is primarily associated with thin rolled foil and converter applications requiring controlled mechanical properties and forming behavior.

2. What is the chemical composition of AA 8021?

Registered AA 8021 contains 1.20–1.70% iron, a maximum of 0.15% silicon, a maximum of 0.05% copper and aluminum as the remainder.

3. Is AA 8021 the same as EN AW-8021B?

No. The two designations are related but have different registered chemistry limits. Material equivalence must be approved using the applicable standard and inspection certificate.

4. What is the difference between 8021 and 8021B?

8021B is a registered variation with different silicon, iron and residual-element limits. The suffix "B" identifies a composition variation rather than a temper.

5. Is 8021 aluminum heat treatable?

8021 is not normally strengthened through precipitation heat treatment. Its mechanical properties are mainly controlled through rolling reduction, strain hardening and annealing.

6. What is the difference between 8021-O and 8021-H18?

O temper is fully annealed and provides higher ductility and elongation. H18 is strain hardened and provides higher strength but lower deep-forming capability.

7. Is 8021 better than 8079 aluminum?

Not in every application. 8021 is commonly evaluated for deeper cold-forming requirements, while 8079 is widely considered for flexible packaging and converter applications. Final selection depends on the laminate and process.

8. Is 8021 better than 8011 aluminum?

The alloys serve different commercial requirements. 8011 is widely used for general packaging and lidding, while 8021 is more specifically considered for controlled cold-forming applications. Neither alloy is universally superior.

9. Can 8021 be used as structural aluminum sheet or plate?

This page does not position 8021 as a general structural sheet or plate grade. For structural, machining or load-bearing applications, alloys such as 5052, 5083, 6061, 6082 or 7075 are normally evaluated according to the project requirements.

10. What standards apply to 8021 aluminum?

Common references include Aluminum Association registration records, EN 573-3, EN 515 and the EN 546 foil series. ASTM B479 and ASTM B926 may also be relevant to flexible-barrier foil and pinhole inspection.

11. Is 8021 used for pharmaceutical cold-form foil?

Yes. O-temper 8021 or 8021B may be used as the aluminum layer in pharmaceutical cold-form laminate structures. Approval should consider the complete laminate, forming depth and mechanical-property requirements.

12. Is 8021 a battery current-collector alloy?

Its main battery-related positioning is the metallic layer in aluminum-plastic pouch laminate. It should not automatically be described as cathode current-collector foil without confirming a separate electrode-foil specification.

13. Does thicker 8021 foil have better elongation?

EN AW-8021B O-temper reference values generally specify higher minimum elongation as foil thickness increases. Actual results still depend on processing and testing conditions.

14. Can zero pinholes be guaranteed?

Pinhole acceptance should be defined by thickness, inspected area and test method. A general zero-pinhole promise is not an adequate technical specification.

15. Where can I request an 8021 aluminum foil quotation?

Commercial thicknesses, custom slit widths, coil IDs, roll weights, inspection requirements and export packing are available through our dedicated 8021 aluminum foil product page.

 

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