" LIP Researchers analyzed the thickness and uniformity of aluminum foil sold in Portugal "
As part of LIP’s research, where particle detection techniques are applied to various fields, a study conducted in collaboration with BioISI assessed the quality of household aluminium foil available in the Portuguese market. The study was carried out by LIP researchers Luís Peralta, Ana Campos, and BioISI researcher Mário Rodrigues.
Consumers often associate well-known brands with superior quality, but is this perception always correct? In the case of aluminium foil, the results indicate that the difference between brands is not significant.
The study analyzed the thickness and uniformity of aluminium foil from various brands available in the Portuguese market. The technique used was based on the energy loss of alpha particles as they passed through the foil, allowing the measurement of thickness and the detection of local variations. These variations result from a combination of local thickness fluctuations in the film and surface roughness, the latter being studied using an atomic force microscope (AFM).
The results showed that the average thickness of the analysed foil sheets is around 11 µm, with a relative variation of approximately 5%. Interestingly, one of the white label brands states a thickness of 12 µm on its packaging.
The study was published in the Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, contributing to a better understanding of the quality of products available to consumers. The full article is available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-025-10722-8.