High‑barrier 8011/8021 pharmaceutical aluminum blister foil combined with medical‑grade PVC offers excellent moisture, oxygen, and light protection for tablets and capsules. Ideal for high‑speed packaging lines, this blister pack solution improves shelf life, patient safety, and brand image while meeting international pharmacopeia and GMP requirements.
8011/8021 Aluminum Foil and PVC Blister Pack is a high‑barrier packaging solution engineered specifically for solid oral dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. By pairing 8011 or 8021 aluminum foil with PVC (or PVC/PVDC/PP) forming film, it delivers robust protection against:
- Moisture ingress
- Oxygen and gas diffusion
- UV and visible light
- Mechanical damage and contamination
The result is improved stability, shelf life, and patient safety, backed by consistent quality for high‑speed pharmaceutical blister lines.
Features and Advantages
Functional Benefits
High barrier performance
- Excellent protection against water vapor, oxygen, and light, critical for moisture‑sensitive and photosensitive drugs.
Strong sealing and peelability
- Heat‑seal lacquer optimized for sealing with PVC, PVDC, PP, and other common forming films.
- Stable peel strength to avoid accidental opening while still allowing easy push‑through.
Pharmaceutical‑grade hygiene
- Produced from high‑purity 8011/8021 alloy.
- Complies with major pharmacopoeias and food/pharma contact regulations (e.g., EU, US FDA‑related guidelines where applicable).
High processability
- Suitable for high‑speed blister packing machines.
- Good formability, stable unwinding, and low pinhole rate.
Excellent printability
- Surface treatment and primer systems compatible with multiple printing technologies.
- Enables clear branding, batch information, and variable data printing.
Safety and Compliance
- Low migration of components
- Odorless and tasteless
- Designed to minimize interaction with drug products
- Supports compliance with GMP packaging requirements when used in validated systems
Typical Applications
- Standard tablet and capsule blister packs
- Moisture‑sensitive or oxygen‑sensitive formulations
- Effervescent and fast‑disintegrating tablets (with enhanced barrier structures)
- Generic and branded OTC products requiring clear, durable graphics
- Multi‑dose packs where each cavity must maintain stability throughout shelf life
Material Structure Options
Common Blister Pack Structures
| Blister Type | Forming Film (Cavity Side) | Lidding Material | Barrier Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC/Alu | PVC (pharma grade) | 8011 or 8021 alu foil | Standard moisture/light barrier |
| PVC/PVDC/Alu | PVC coated with PVDC | 8011 or 8021 alu foil | Enhanced moisture barrier |
| PP/Alu | Polypropylene (for special drugs) | 8011 or 8021 alu foil (PP‑seal lacquer) | Improved moisture & temp range |
| Cold‑form Alu/Alu | Triplex Alu/PA/PVC | 8021 alu foil (high barrier) | Maximum barrier (non‑transparent) |
8011 vs 8021 Aluminum Foil
8011 and 8021 are both Al‑Fe‑Si based alloys often used for pharmaceutical blister lidding. Their selection depends on barrier requirements, forming behavior, and regulatory preferences.
Alloy Comparison
| Parameter | 8011 Aluminum Foil | 8021 Aluminum Foil |
|---|---|---|
| Main usage | Standard pharma lidding foil | High‑barrier, deep‑draw, alu‑alu systems |
| Strength level | Medium | Medium to relatively higher yield, softer feel |
| Typical temper | O, H14, H16 | O (soft) |
| Formability | Good, suitable for normal blister profiles | Very good, suitable for deeper or complex forms |
| Pinhole resistance | Very good for standard thickness ranges | Excellent at comparable gauges |
| Barrier performance | High moisture/light barrier | Higher barrier in thicker gauges & alu‑alu use |
| Cost level | Generally more economical | Slightly higher, used for demanding products |
Chemical Composition (Typical Ranges)
Values below are for reference only and may vary within relevant standards (e.g., EN, GB, AA).
8011 Alloy – Typical Chemical Composition (wt%)
| Element | Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti | Others (Each) | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | 0.50–0.90 | 0.60–1.00 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.20 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.08 | ≤0.05 | Balance |
8021 Alloy – Typical Chemical Composition (wt%)
| Element | Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Zn | Ti | Others (Each) | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range | ≤0.40 | 1.00–1.50 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.08 | ≤0.05 | Balance |
Technical Specifications of Aluminum Foil
General Foil Parameters
| Item | Typical Range / Option |
|---|---|
| Alloy | 8011, 8021 |
| Temper | O, H14, H16 (application dependent) |
| Thickness | 0.018–0.040 mm (18–40 μm) |
| Width | 200–1200 mm (customizable) |
| Inner core | 76 mm or 152 mm paper/Alu core |
| Surface | One side printed or coated, one side lacquered |
| Surface finish | Matt / bright, controlled roughness |
| Lubrication | Normally non‑lubricated for pharma use |
| Pinholes (≥0.2 mm) | Extremely low, controlled by quality spec |
Mechanical Properties (Reference Values)
| Property | Unit | 8011‑O | 8011‑H16 | 8021‑O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (L) | MPa | 80–110 | 120–150 | 90–130 |
| Elongation (L, A50) | % | ≥2 | ≥1 | ≥2 |
| Yield strength (Rp0.2) | MPa | 40–70 | 90–130 | 55–95 |
| Density | g/cm³ | ~2.71 | ~2.71 | ~2.71 |
L = longitudinal direction. Actual values tailored to customer standards.
PVC Forming Film Specifications
PVC is the most common cavity‑forming material for tablet and capsule blisters.
| Parameter | Typical Value / Range |
|---|---|
| Material type | Pharmaceutical‑grade PVC |
| Thickness | 0.20–0.30 mm (200–300 μm) |
| Color | Transparent, tinted, or opaque |
| Water vapor transmission | Moderate barrier (improved with PVDC) |
| Formability | Excellent for standard blister cavities |
| Odor / taste | Neutral, designed for pharma packaging |
| Compatibility | Compatible with standard alu lidding foils |
For higher barrier performance, PVC may be coated with PVDC or replaced by PP or cold‑forming Alu/Alu systems.
Barrier and Performance Data
Indicative values; exact performance depends on total structure, thickness, and coatings.
| Parameter | Typical Range / Comment |
|---|---|
| Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) | Very low for alu lidding; total WVTR driven by forming film |
| Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) | Practically zero through aluminum foil |
| Light transmission | Near‑zero through alu lidding |
| Heat seal temperature window | Approx. 180–260 °C (depends on line, lacquer, and film) |
| Heat seal strength (PVC/Alu interface) | Tunable, typically designed for push‑through performance |
| Operating line speed | Compatible with high‑speed blister machines |
Surface Treatment and Coating Options
| Layer | Function |
|---|---|
| Printing primer | Enhances ink adhesion and printing clarity |
| Heat‑seal lacquer | Ensures strong and reliable seal to PVC/PP/PVDC |
| Protective over‑lacquer | Improves abrasion resistance and gloss/matte look |
| Desiccant or functional ink | Optional for specialty moisture management |
Printability supports lot numbers, expiry dates, barcodes, QR codes, brand logos, and regulatory text.
Quality Control and Standards
Our 8011/8021 Aluminum Foil and PVC Blister Pack materials are produced under stringent quality systems to support pharmaceutical use.
| Control Aspect | Typical Practice / Target |
|---|---|
| Cleanroom environment | Controlled area for slitting and coating |
| Pinhole inspection | 100% online detection where specified |
| Dimensional accuracy | Tight tolerance on thickness and width |
| Traceability | Complete batch traceability from melt to final reel |
| Regulatory alignment | Supports EU, US and other pharma packaging norms |
Customization Options
| Customizable Parameter | Options |
|---|---|
| Alloy and temper | 8011‑O/H14/H16, 8021‑O |
| Foil thickness | 18–40 μm (other gauges on request) |
| Width and reel length | According to blister machine layout |
| Coating system | PVC‑seal, PP‑seal, PVDC‑compatible lacquers |
| Printing | Up to multi‑color, customized artwork |
| Surface finish | Gloss, semi‑matt, or matt |
| Forming film combination | PVC, PVC/PVDC, PP, cold‑form Alu/Alu |
Why Choose 8011/8021 Aluminum Foil and PVC Blister Packs
- Protects sensitive drugs from moisture, oxygen, and light
- Extends shelf life and preserves active ingredient potency
- Supports clear branding and regulatory labeling
- Compatible with a wide range of blister packaging lines
- Customizable to meet specific stability and marketing needs
By combining high‑barrier 8011/8021 lidding foil with reliable PVC or advanced forming films, this blister solution offers a robust, compliant, and cost‑effective packaging platform for modern pharmaceutical tablets and capsules.
