Are you interested in learning more about Aluminum Foil Sheet? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
A roll of aluminium foil
Aluminium foil (or aluminum foil in American English; occasionally called tin foil) is aluminium prepared in thin metal leaves. The foil is pliable and can be readily bent or wrapped around objects. Thin foils are fragile and are sometimes laminated with other materials such as plastics or paper to make them stronger and more useful.
Annual production of aluminium foil was approximately 850,000 tonnes (940,000 tons) in Europe in ,[1] and 600,000 tonnes (660,000 tons) in the U.S. in .[2] Approximately 75% of aluminium foil is used for packaging of foods, cosmetics, and chemical products, and 25% is used for industrial applications (e.g., thermal insulation, electrical cables, and electronics).[2] It can be easily recycled.
Aluminium foil supplanted tin foil in the mid 20th century. In the United Kingdom and United States it is often informally called "tin foil", just as steel cans are often still called "tin cans". Metallised films are sometimes mistaken for aluminium foil, but are actually polymer films coated with a thin layer of aluminium.
History
[
edit
]
Precursors
[
edit
]
Foil made from a thin leaf of tin was commercially available before its aluminium counterpart. Tin foil was marketed commercially from the late nineteenth into the early twentieth century. The term "tin foil" survives in the English language as a term for the newer aluminium foil. Tin foil is less malleable than aluminium foil and tends to give a slight tin taste to food wrapped in it. Tin foil has been supplanted by aluminium and other materials for wrapping food.[3]
The first audio recordings on phonograph cylinders were made on tin foil.[4]
Invention
[
edit
]
Tin was first replaced by aluminium in , when the first aluminium foil rolling plant, Dr. Lauber, Neher & Cie. was opened in Emmishofen, Switzerland. The plant, owned by J. G. Neher & Sons, the aluminium manufacturers, was founded in in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, at the foot of the Rhine Falls, whose energy powered the process. In December , Neher's sons, along with Dr. Lauber, had invented the endless rolling process, by which they discovered that aluminium foil could be used as a protective barrier.[5]
In , Bern-based Tobler began wrapping its chocolate bars in aluminium foil, including the unique triangular chocolate bar, Toblerone.[6]
The first use of foil in the United States was in for wrapping Life Savers, candy bars, and gum.[7]
Properties
[
edit
]
Microscopic close-up of aluminium foil on the back of an intumescent rubber stripAluminium foil has a thickness less than 0.2 mm (7.9 mils); thinner gauges down to 6 micrometres (0.24 mils) are also commonly used.[8] Standard household foil is typically 0.016 mm (0.63 mils) thick, and heavy-duty household foil is typically 0.024 mm (0.94 mils)
Foil may have a non-stick coating on only one side.[9]
Although aluminium is non-magnetic, it is a good conductor, so even a thin sheet reflects almost all of an incident electric wave. At frequencies more than 100 MHz, the transmitted electric field is attenuated by more than 80 decibels (dB), that is less than 10&#;8 = 0. of the power gets through.[10]
Thin sheets of aluminium are not very effective at attenuating low-frequency magnetic fields. The shielding effectiveness is dependent upon the skin depth. A field travelling through one skin depth will lose about 63% of its energy (it is attenuated to 1/e = 1/2.718... of its original energy). Thin shields also have internal reflections that reduce the shielding effectiveness.[11]
Manufacture
[
edit
]
A roll of aluminium foil, with micrometer showing a thickness of 13 μm (0.5 mils)The continuous casting method is much less energy-intensive and has become the preferred process.[12] It is difficult to produce rollers with a gap fine enough to cope with the foil gauge, and to avoid this, as well as reducing tearing, increasing production rates, and controlling thickness,[13] for the final pass when producing thicknesses below 0.025 mm (1 mil), two sheets are rolled at the same time, doubling the thickness of the gauge at entry to the rollers. After the rollers, the two sheets are separated, which produces foil with one shiny side and one matte side.
The two sides in contact with each other are matte, and the exterior sides become shiny. The reflectivity of dull aluminium foil is 80%, while shiny embossed foil reflects about 88%.[7] The difference in thermal properties between the two sides is imperceptible without instrumentation. By Kirchhoff's law radiation, increased reflectivity decreases both absorption and emission of radiation.
Uses
[
edit
]
Candies in aluminium foil packagingAluminium foil is widely sold into the consumer market, often in rolls of 500 mm (20 in) width and several metres in length.[14]
Aluminium foil is also used for barbecuing delicate foods.[15]
As with all metallic items, aluminium foil reacts to being placed in a microwave oven. This is because of the electromagnetic fields of the microwaves inducing electric currents in the foil and high potentials at the sharp points of the foil sheet; if the potential is sufficiently high, it will cause electric arcing to areas with lower potential, even to the air surrounding the sheet. Modern microwave ovens have been designed to prevent damage to the cavity magnetron tube from microwave energy reflection, and aluminium packages designed for microwave heating are available.[16]
Environmental issues
[
edit
]
For more Aluminum Circleinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Some aluminium foil products can be recycled at around 5% of the original energy cost.[17]
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
Aluminum foil might very well be one of the most versatile supplies in your kitchen. Not only can it be molded into any shape or crevice, but it can also be transformed into a liner, pouch, tent, or wrapper. Additionally, the shiny material is extremely durable, especially when compared to wrappings such as parchment paper.
But despite the versatility of aluminum foil, there are many misconceptions about using it for home cooking. So, to understand how to best use aluminum foil in the kitchen, we turned to a few food experts. Learn the difference between regular vs. heavy-duty foil, plus whether or not you can use aluminum foil in the oven, air fryer, or microwave. And of course, we answer everyone's most pressing question: Shiny side up or down?
Functions of Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil, sometimes called tin foil, is a very thin shiny sheet of the metal aluminum. It's made by rolling large slabs of aluminum until they are less than 0.2 millimeters thick.
The purpose of aluminum foil depends on the application, but often, it's used as a packaging or cover in cooking, says Ali Manning, food scientist and founder of Umami Food Consulting. That's because aluminum foil is an excellent conductor of heat, so it can prevent heat and moisture escaping from food (which will ensure a delicious meal), according to Stephen Chavez, chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. Aluminum foil is also used to line the bottom of baking pans during cooking, preventing food from sticking and making cleanup a breeze, says Chavez.
LauriPatterson / GETTY IMAGES
Regular vs. Heavy-Duty Foil
As the name suggests, heavy-duty foil is thicker and sturdier than regular foil, says Manning. This extra level of durability can withstand high heat, making it appropriate for wrapping food and placing it directly on coals or an open fire, according to Chavez. Regular foil is thinner, so it retains heat and moisture to a lesser extent. This makes it ideal for more basic applications, like covering cooked foods to keep them warm and juicy, says Chavez.
Should You Use the Shiny or Dull Side of Aluminum Foil?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aluminum foil's two-sided finish is the result of its production process. When the material passes through rollers, two layers of foil are pressed at the same time, which reduces the risk of breakage. As a result, one side is shiny and the other is matte.
However, the different finishes do not have different functions, and they react with food in the same way. People often ask which side of aluminum foil is nonstick. The answer is that it doesn't matter which side faces up or down when you're cooking with traditional aluminum foil&#;but if you're working with a specific nonstick variety, which has a protective coating, be sure to use the side recommended by the manufacturer.
Using Aluminum Foil in Ovens, Air Fryers, and Microwaves
"Aluminum foil can absolutely be used in a regular conventional oven, as well as an air fryer, which is just a mini convection oven," explains Chavez. "Foil will conduct heat perfectly in both and will keep the insides of your [appliances] clean."
Microwaves
You might be surprised that aluminum foil can be used in microwaves to prevent overcooking, though certain safety measures must be in place. According to the USDA, no more than a quarter of the food should be covered in foil, which should be new and smooth (i.e., free of wrinkles). Otherwise, the wrinkles can cause electrical arcs, or sparks, which are essentially mini lightning bolts that can damage your microwave oven, says Chavez. The foil should also be shaped around the food and placed away from the microwave walls, at least 1 inch or farther, according to the USDA.
Additionally, if your microwave has metal parts, extra care should be taken to ensure the foil doesn't touch the metal components. The USDA also advises keeping small pieces of foil away from the metal parts. When in doubt, check your appliance's manual for safety precautions, and follow them exactly. If doing so feels like too much of a hassle, you may want to consider other cooking methods or coverings for the microwave.
Avoid Aluminum Foil When Cooking High-Salt or High-Acid Foods
Regardless of the cooking method you use, it's crucial to ensure aluminum foil doesn't come into contact with high-salt or high-acid foods, like tomato sauce, citrus, or vinegar, says Chavez. These ingredients will cause an unfavorable reaction with the aluminum foil, causing off-notes in the finished product, notes Manning. High-salt and high-acid foods can also cause aluminum to leach into the food, posing a potential health risk.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Aluminum Coil. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.