In the pharmaceutical industry, packaging is not merely a container-it is a critical safeguard for drug stability, shelf life, and patient safety. When a tablet is pushed through the aluminum foil and the crisp "click" is heard, that seemingly thin metallic layer-PTP aluminum foil is serving as the final quality barrier in pharmaceutical packaging.
What Is PTP Aluminum Foil?
PTP (Press Through Packaging) aluminum foil is a composite material specifically engineered for blister packaging of solid pharmaceutical products. It is typically composed of aluminum foil, a polymer adhesive layer, and a protective coating, precisely laminated to deliver multiple functional properties within an ultra-thin structure.
PTP aluminum foil is commonly heat-sealed with pharmaceutical PVC or PVDC rigid films to form blister packs, securely enclosing solid dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, and suppositories. This packaging format allows for convenient single-dose dispensing while offering excellent moisture resistance and dust protection throughout storage, transportation, and use.
Common Aluminum Alloys for PTP Foil
| Alloy | Temper | Key Characteristics |
| 8011 | O/H18 | High elongation and flexibility, suitable for deep drawing; low pinhole rate; stable barrier performance; excellent compatibility with heat-seal coatings; cost-effective and the most widely used alloy for blister packaging |
| 8021 | Softer than 8011 with superior formability; lower pinhole density and more stable barrier properties; ideal for high-speed packaging lines; commonly used for premium or export-grade pharmaceutical products | |
| 8079 | O | High purity and good softness; lower cost; good barrier performance; relatively lower strength, mainly used for standard drugs or cost-sensitive products |
| 1235 | O | Higher strength and very low pinhole rate; suitable for higher barrier requirements or thinner gauges; higher cost and less common than 8011 and 8021 |
Product Technical Specifications
| Alloys | AA 8011, 8021, 8079, 1235 |
| Temper | O, H18 |
| Structure | OP + AL + HSL |
| Application | Pharmaceutical packaging |
| Thickness | 20–30 microns |
| Width | ≤ 900 mm |
| Core / ID | 76 mm |
| Printing Colors | 0–3 colors |
| Usage | Solid drug packaging |
| Printing Process | Gravure printing |
| Surface Finish | Bright or matte |
| Storage Conditions | Dry, light-protected, ambient temperature |
| MOQ | 1-3 tons |
Physical Properties
| Item | Typical Value | Test Method |
| Thickness Tolerance | ±3% | GB/T 451.3 |
| Width Tolerance | ±0.5 mm | GB/T 3194 |
| Tensile Strength | 60-120 MPa | GB/T 3880 |
| Elongation | ≥25% | GB/T 3880 |
| Pinhole Density | ≤1 / m² (≥0.3 mm) | GB/T 3198 |
| Surface Tension | ≥36–38 dyne/cm | GB/T 14216 |
| Heat Seal Strength | ≥7 N / 15 mm | YBB 00122003 |
| Heat Seal Strength | ≥60% (coating dependent) | GB/T 8941 |
| Haze | ≤3% (coating dependent) | GB/T 2410 |
Coating and Printing Performance
| Item | Requirement | Test Method |
| Heat Seal Coating Weight | 4-8 g/m² | Gravimetric method |
| Heat Sealing Temperature | 120-180 °C (adhesive dependent) | YBB 00122003 |
| Print Fastness | ≥ Grade 3 | GB/T 7707 |
| Adhesion | ≥95% | Tape test |
| Residual Solvent | ≤5 mg/m² | YBB 00312004 |
Key Features of Pharmaceutical PTP Aluminum Foil
1. Outstanding Barrier Performance
Aluminum foil is inherently an almost perfect barrier material. Our PTP aluminum foil effectively blocks oxygen, moisture vapor, light, and microorganisms-key factors that cause oxidation, hydrolysis, and degradation of pharmaceuticals. For moisture-sensitive, light-sensitive, or easily oxidized drugs, aluminum foil provides unparalleled protection.
2. Excellent Sealing Integrity and Push-Through Performance
Through precise heat-sealing technology, PTP foil forms a strong and reliable seal with PVC or PVDC films, preventing external contamination. At the same time, its optimized mechanical properties allow patients to easily push tablets out of the blister, balancing seal strength with user convenience-particularly important for elderly or mobility-impaired patients.
3. High-Quality Printing and Information Security
Using pharmaceutical-grade, environmentally compliant inks, clear and durable printing can be achieved on the foil surface. Drug name, dosage, batch number, and expiry date are printed directly onto the packaging, reducing medication errors caused by label detachment and supporting anti-counterfeiting designs for brand protection.
4. Compatibility with High-Speed Automated Packaging
Modern pharmaceutical production demands efficiency and precision. Our PTP aluminum foil offers uniform thickness, excellent tensile strength, and a stable coefficient of friction, ensuring smooth operation on high-speed blister packaging machines and significantly improving production efficiency and yield.
5. Environmental Responsibility and Recyclability
As a recyclable material, PTP aluminum foil helps reduce plastic usage in pharmaceutical packaging. We are also actively working with customers to develop biodegradable or compostable pressure-sensitive layers to further enhance sustainability.
Application Scenarios of PTP Aluminum Foil
Tablet Packaging: Provides tight sealing to prevent oxidation and moisture ingress, extending shelf life.
Capsule Packaging: Maintains capsule integrity and stability while allowing easy dispensing.
Powder and Granule Packaging: Prevents moisture absorption and powder leakage, preserving drug efficacy.
Composite Packaging: Can be combined with plastic or paper for multilayer composite packaging solutions.
Quality Control of PTP Blister Foil
1. Pinhole Inspection: Pinholes are the primary threat to barrier performance. We employ fully automated online pinhole detection systems to ensure pinhole density remains well below national standards.
2. GMP Clean Production: Pharmaceutical packaging must be sterile and non-toxic. Our production facilities meet Class 100,000 cleanroom standards, ensuring microbial indicators fully comply with pharmaceutical requirements.
3. Printing Accuracy: Drug information is directly related to patient safety. Using high-speed gravure printing, we achieve precise registration, clear text, and excellent resistance to abrasion and heat, ensuring long-term readability.
Why Choose Our PTP Aluminum Foil?
As a professional aluminum foil manufacturer, we adhere to the following principles in PTP foil production:
High-Purity Raw Materials
We use aluminum with a purity of over 99.9%, with tightly controlled thickness (typically 12-20 microns), ensuring uniformity and consistency in every roll.Advanced Manufacturing Equipment
Our automated production lines and real-time quality monitoring systems ensure digital control at every stage-from raw material input to final packaging-delivering consistent product quality.Comprehensive Quality Assurance
All products are tested in accordance with international standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 22000, and USP <661>, including air permeability, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), tear strength, and bond strength tests.Customized Solutions
We offer tailored solutions to meet diverse customer needs, including customized width, length, thickness, and special coatings (e.g., antibacterial or anti-static coatings), with support for small-batch trial production.