The surface of aluminum foil was treated using silane coupling agent and chromate-phosphate conversion solution respectively, then a flexible laminate consisting of five layers was prepared using polypropylene film as inner sealant layer and epoxy resin as adhesive between polypropylene film and aluminum foil. The surface morphology and composition of the foil after treatment were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and the hydrophilicity of the foil was evaluated by contact angle measurement (CAM). The adhesive strength between the aluminum foil and polypropylene film, and the heat sealing strength of polypropylene film were measured by tensile tester, their dependences on the surface treatments were further investigated. It can be concluded that the adhesive strength and heat sealing strength depend on not only the hydrophilicity, but also the morphology of the foil surface. The rough and porous surface of the treated foil can enhance both the adhesive strength and heat sealing strength. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.