Copper Foil Mil/Thickness

by Suzanne
(Kailua HI USA)

Is one copper foil mil/thickness better to use for deep curves than another weight? Does that make sense? I've been using 7/32, and I'm "graduating" to 3/16, because I'm doing some smaller pieces. Is the 1.25 better than, say 1.5 or 1.0? I'm using the black-backed adhesive -- probably, Master Foil or Studio Line, because that's what Delphi carries.

I've been storing my supplies in the fridge because the air is so destructive over here (Hawaii).; everything oxidizes in about 15 seconds; fabric takes longer to rot, but not much! :-) Thanks for any guidance!!

Suzanne

Answer

1 mil foil is ultra thin, and tears easily around curves. Because of that, it is not a good all-purpose copper foil, and it can be frustrating to use for an entire project.

1.25 mil foil is a good choice for most projects, as it gives the needed flexibility for inside curves while being easy to apply, and it's less likely to tear.

1.5 mil foil is quite stiff. It can hurt, and sometimes cut, your fingers while applying it to the glass. The stiffness makes application quite difficult, especially around deep inside curves.

I only ever use 1.25 mil foil and have found it to be satisfactory for any project I've made, which include suncatchers, panels, and all 3 dimensional pieces.