In the tobacco industry, packaging plays a crucial role in product quality, aroma retention, and brand image. As the key material inside cigarette packs, 0.006 mm (6 micron) aluminum foil has become one of the standard materials for cigarette inner liners due to its ultra-thin lightweight structure, excellent barrier properties, and good processability.
Aluminum foil used for tobacco inner liners is typically made from 1235 or 8011 alloy, in the O-soft temper. In actual applications, this ultra-thin foil is rarely used alone; instead, it is laminated with backing paper to form aluminum foil paper. The aluminum layer serves as the critical barrier layer, responsible for protecting the quality of the tobacco.
Outstanding Performance of Aluminum Foil for Cigarette Inner Liners
Aroma Guardian:
The aluminum inner liner effectively prevents cigarette aroma from dissipating while also stopping the aroma from contaminating surrounding items. Cigarettes contain volatile aromatic compounds that can easily evaporate; the barrier property of aluminum foil ensures that consumers enjoy the original pure flavor every time they open the pack.
Anti-Mold Protection:
Aluminum foil paper blocks moisture and provides excellent humidity resistance, preventing cigarettes from becoming moldy in damp environments. Even when external humidity fluctuates significantly, the aluminum inner liner maintains a dry and stable micro-environment for the tobacco.
Light Protection:
Aluminum foil completely blocks light, including visible and ultraviolet light. This is critical because light exposure accelerates photochemical reactions in tobacco, leading to deterioration of its quality.
Structural Support:
Beyond protection, the aluminum inner liner also provides a certain level of structural strength to the cigarette packaging, preventing cigarettes from being crushed or deformed during logistics and handling.
0.006 mm Aluminum Foil Product Specifications
| Item | Standard GB/T 3198-2020 | 0.006 mm Aluminum Foil |
| Thickness Tolerance | ±5% | ±4% |
| Width Tolerance | -1 to +1 mm | 0 to +2 mm |
| Tensile Strength | 50-100 MPa | ≥75 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥0.5% | ≥2.0% |
| Pinhole Count | Ultra-high grade (6-6.5 μm): ≤400 pinholes/m² | ≤200 pinholes/m² (for ≤6.3 μm thickness) |
| Pinhole Diameter | Ultra-high grade: ≤0.1 mm; High grade: ≤0.2 mm | ≤0.1 mm |
| Adhesion (Stickiness) | ≤1.0 m | ≤0.3 m |
| Wettability | Grade A or B | Grade A or above |
| Number of Joints | Inner diameter 76.2mm: 2 pieces/roll or less; Φ152.4/JumboΦ150: 5 pieces/roll or less. | Inner diameter 76.2mm: Less than 1 piece/roll (within 20%); φ152.4/Jumboφ150: Less than 2 pieces/roll (within 20%) |
Quality Standards for Cigarette Packaging Aluminum Foil
1. Pinholes:
Strict control of pinhole count and diameter. Although achieving "zero pinholes" is extremely difficult for 6 micron foil, high-grade tobacco foil requires pinhole diameters below 0.03 mm, and pinhole counts per square meter must meet the industry's strictest standards (e.g., <500 pinholes/m²).
2. Surface Wettability:
The foil must achieve Grade A in the water-wettability test, meaning no residual rolling oil and a dyne value that meets lamination requirements.
3.Thickness Tolerance:
Thickness must be controlled within ±3%, preventing lamination glue inconsistency or uneven winding caused by thickness fluctuations.
4. Mechanical Properties & Flatness:
Mechanical properties and sheet shape: Tensile strength is typically controlled between 60-100 MPa, and elongation is kept within a suitable range (usually >0.5% - 1%). It is also required to unfold flat, without wavy edges or bright lines.
Characteristics of 0.006 mm Aluminum Foil Produced in China
High quality & stable supply:
Uniform thickness at 0.006 mm with excellent thickness consistency.Excellent airtightness:
Pinhole count controlled below 200/m², preventing air or moisture intrusion.High performance:
Elongation above 2%, offering good flexibility and processability.High productivity:
Compatible with high-speed production lines at 750 m/min, with proven records of continuous production of 59 million meters.Efficient lamination:
Helps double the production efficiency compared to traditional lamination methods.Environmentally friendly & recyclable:
Aluminum foil is 100% recyclable.