0 16mm to 0 25mm thick aluminium sheet for caps 3105 5052 5182 8011 alloy
Thin-gauge aluminium sheet in the 0.16mm–0.25mm range is a core material for modern cap and closure systems, where consistent formability, stable coating/printing behavior, and tight thickness control directly affect sealing performance and production yield. This product range is designed for high-speed cap manufacturing such as pilfer-proof caps, ROPP closures, beverage end-cap components, and cosmetic or pharmaceutical closures.
By offering multiple alloys-3105, 5052, 5182, and 8011-the sheet can be matched to different cap designs and forming severities, from deep drawing and knurling to tight thread rolling and tamper-evident band forming.
Features Customers Care About
- Excellent formability at thin gauge for cap forming, knurling, embossing, and rolling operations without frequent cracking or earing issues (when correctly tempered and lubricated).
- Stable coating and printing performance thanks to controlled surface quality, cleanliness, and consistent oxide layer behavior.
- Reliable corrosion resistance for beverage, food, personal care, and household chemical packaging environments.
- Tight thickness and flatness control to reduce scrap and improve line speed on slitting, punching, and cap-forming machines.
- Alloy flexibility to balance strength vs. drawability, especially for tamper-evident designs and high-speed capping.
Typical Applications
| Application Area | Typical Product Examples | Common Alloy Choices | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverage & food closures | ROPP caps, pilfer-proof caps, screw caps | 3105, 8011, 5052 | Good forming, coating compatibility, corrosion resistance |
| Wine & spirits packaging | Long-skirt caps, decorative caps | 8011, 3105 | Excellent surface for printing, stable forming |
| Pharmaceutical closures | Child-resistant and specialty closures | 5052, 8011 | Strength + corrosion resistance, clean surface |
| Cosmetics & personal care | Premium decorative caps | 8011, 3105 | High-quality surface and printability |
| Household chemicals | Detergent and chemical bottle caps | 5052, 5182 | Higher strength and corrosion resistance |
Alloy Selection Guide for Cap Stock
Different cap designs prefer different mechanical "feel." The table below helps choose quickly.
| Alloy | Alloy Family | Strength Level (Relative) | Formability (Relative) | Corrosion Resistance | Best-Fit Cap Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3105 | Al-Mn | Medium | High | Good | General-purpose cap stock, coated/printed caps |
| 5052 | Al-Mg | Medium–High | Medium–High | Excellent | More demanding closures, better corrosion margin |
| 5182 | Al-Mg (higher Mg) | High | Medium | Excellent | Higher strength needs, tamper-evident features |
| 8011 | Al-Fe-Si | Medium | High | Good | Decorative and high-volume caps, great surface response |
Practical note: For very aggressive forming steps at 0.16mm–0.18mm, temper and process window matter as much as alloy choice. Many closure lines tune performance with a combination of temper selection, lubrication, die geometry, and coil-to-coil consistency.
Temper Options and Typical Processing
Cap stock is commonly supplied in soft-to-mid tempers to support drawing and rolling. Final temper choice depends on cap geometry and required stiffness.
| Temper | Typical Meaning | Cap Manufacturing Behavior | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| O (Annealed) | Softest condition | Maximum formability, lowest strength | Deep drawing, complex embossing |
| H14 | Half-hard | Higher stiffness, moderate formability | Caps needing better dent resistance |
| H16 | 3/4 hard | Higher strength | Designs needing more rigidity (use with care for cracking risk) |
| H18 | Full hard | Highest strength | Limited forming; niche cases for stiff components |
Supply is often in coil form for slitting and stamping; sheet form is also available for specific customer equipment.
Technical Specifications (Typical Supply Range)
| Parameter | Typical Range / Option |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.16mm–0.25mm |
| Width | Custom slitting; common cap-stock coils are narrow to medium width depending on line |
| Inner diameter (coil) | Commonly 150mm / 300mm / 505mm (by agreement) |
| Surface finish | Mill finish; optional brushed; coating-ready surface |
| Flatness / shape | Controlled for high-speed feeding and die stability |
| Coating compatibility | Suitable for lacquer, basecoat + topcoat systems, and printing inks (validated by customer trials) |
| Supply form | Coil preferred; sheet available |
| Edge quality | Slit edge with controlled burr for safe feeding and reduced dust |
Chemical Composition (Typical, wt.%)
Values below reflect common industry ranges for these alloys. Actual certification follows relevant standards and customer agreement.
Alloy 3105 (Al-Mn)
| Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤0.60 | ≤0.70 | ≤0.30 | 0.30–0.80 | 0.20–0.80 | ≤0.20 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.10 | Balance |
Alloy 5052 (Al-Mg)
| Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤0.25 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.10 | 2.20–2.80 | 0.15–0.35 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.10 | Balance |
Alloy 5182 (Al-Mg)
| Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤0.20 | ≤0.35 | ≤0.15 | 0.20–0.50 | 4.00–5.00 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.25 | ≤0.10 | Balance |
Alloy 8011 (Al-Fe-Si)
| Si | Fe | Cu | Mn | Mg | Cr | Zn | Ti | Al |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.50–0.90 | 0.60–1.00 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.20 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.05 | ≤0.10 | ≤0.08 | Balance |
Mechanical Properties (Typical Reference Ranges)
Mechanical properties depend strongly on temper, thickness, and processing history. The ranges below are practical references used in cap-stock discussions; final values should be confirmed by mill test certificates.
| Alloy | Typical Temper for Caps | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3105 | O / H14 | 110–180 | 40–145 | 3–20 |
| 5052 | O / H14 | 170–230 | 65–180 | 4–20 |
| 5182 | O / H14 | 190–260 | 80–210 | 4–18 |
| 8011 | O / H14 | 110–170 | 35–140 | 3–22 |
What Makes This Cap Sheet Perform Well on High-Speed Lines
| Performance Factor | What We Control | Benefit to Customer |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness stability | Gauge control across width and along coil | Fewer jams, consistent forming, stable sealing |
| Surface cleanliness | Degreasing/clean rolling practices | Better lacquer adhesion and print quality |
| Shape/flatness | Tension leveling and process discipline | Smooth feeding, less scrap |
| Edge condition | Sharp slitting setup, burr control | Reduced aluminum dust and tool wear |
| Coil consistency | Chemistry + rolling schedule repeatability | Predictable cap torque and tamper-band behavior |
Packaging, Quality, and Documentation
Cap stock is typically shipped in moisture-protected packaging to minimize oxidation and contamination before coating/printing. Standard deliveries include mill test certificates showing chemistry and mechanical properties, plus coil identification for traceability. For closure manufacturers running automated inspection, consistency and lot traceability are often as valuable as nominal strength.
0.16mm–0.25mm aluminium sheet for caps in 3105, 5052, 5182, and 8011 alloys delivers reliable formability, coating/printing performance, and corrosion resistance for high-speed closure production. Available in cap-friendly tempers (O, H14, H16, H18) with controlled thickness, flatness, and edge quality, it supports beverage, food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical cap applications where consistent forming and sealing performance matter most.
