Re: What is the tinsel strength of standard household aluminum foil?

Standard household aluminum foil is typical 1100 alloy.  This alloy family 
has >99% Aluminum, it may have 0.12%Cu, and the balance is allowable 
impurities.  The "ultimate tensile strength" is the stress required to 
break the material.  For 1000-series alloys, this can range from 10000psi 
to 27000psi, depending upon the work hardening done.  For example, a really 
wrinkled piece of foil will have a higher tensile strength but less 
ductility.

Aluminum used for food wrap, TV dinner trays, etc. is NOT the same alloy as 
that used in aluminum beverage cans.  The can body is typically 3003 and 
the lid is 5182.  If you're experimenting, you may want to see how these 
materials work.

Lots of useful, basic information regarding aluminum can be found at the 
Aluminum Association website: http://www.aluminum.org.

Hopefully this helps.

Chris Seaman
Alcoa Technical Center