Aluminium foil facts for kids
Aluminium foil is a very thin sheet of aluminium. It's usually less than 0.2 millimeters (or about 0.008 inches) thick. You can easily bend it or wrap it around different things. Aluminium foil became popular in the middle of the 20th century, replacing an older material called tin foil.
Most aluminium foil, about 75%, is used to wrap and protect things like foods, cosmetics, and other chemical products. The other 25% is used for industrial purposes. A great thing about aluminium foil is that it can be recycled easily.
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The Story of Aluminium Foil
Aluminium foil took the place of tin foil in 1910. This was when the very first factory for rolling aluminium foil, named "Dr. Lauber, Neher & Cie.", opened in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. This factory was owned by a company called J.G. Neher & Sons, which had started its business in Schaffhausen back in 1886. Over time, the way aluminium foil was made changed a lot. It started to include things like printing designs, adding colour, applying a protective lacquer coating, lamination (combining layers), and even embossing patterns onto the foil.
What Makes Aluminium Foil Special?
Aluminium foils that are thicker than 25 micrometers (about 0.001 inches) are very good at keeping things fresh. They don't let oxygen or water vapor pass through them. This helps food stay good for longer.
Aluminium foil usually has two different sides: one that looks shiny and one that looks dull. Sometimes, the foil might have a special non-stick coating on just one side. The shiny side of aluminium foil reflects a lot of light, about 88% of it. The dull, embossed (patterned) side reflects a little less, around 80%.
How We Use Aluminium Foil
Aluminium foil is used a lot for packaging. You can find containers and trays made of aluminium foil that are used to bake pies and other foods. It's also very common for packing takeaway meals from restaurants.
Beyond food, aluminium foil is widely used in radiation shields to block certain types of energy, and in heat exchangers to transfer heat. People also use aluminium foil for art projects, decoration, and various crafts.
Images for kids
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A roll of aluminium foil, with a micrometer showing a thickness of 13 µm (0.5 mil)
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A microscopic close-up of aluminium foil on the back of an intumescent rubber strip.
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Candies wrapped in aluminium foil packaging
See also
In Spanish: Papel aluminio para niños
