DuPont™ Kapton® is a polyimide film when combined with etched foil elements, produces very thin flexible heaters. Since Kapton® maintains its excellent physical, electrical, and mechanical properties over extreme temperatures; it is considered a unique industrial material. Kapton®/Polyimide is compatible with foil element alloys as inconel, nickel, copper, Balco and many stainless steels. These dielectric insulators have low outgassing properties, are resistant to a myriad of chemistries, and can be produced with sundry internal adhesive systems that permit higher watt densities and operating temperatures. Kapton® contains properties that make it ideal for many applications in a wide range of industries. It is reliable, rugged and has a very high dielectric constant.

Typical Applications

• Personal Care and Kitchen Appliances
• Automobiles, Trucks and SUVs
• Avionics, Aerospace and Military
• Electronics Industry
• Food Services and Restaurants
• Medical Devices and Science
• Reprographics and Office Equipment
• Semiconductors and Wafer Processing
• Transportation

Many of these applications are based on the excellent balance of electrical, thermal, mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of Kapton® over a wide range of temperatures. It is this combination of useful properties at temperature extremes that makes Kapton® a unique industrial material.

Benefits

• Custom Kapton® Heaters UL & CSA Recognized
• –269°C up to 400°C(Maximum)
• Chemical Resistant
• Formable and Flexible
• Bondable to Metalwork
• Dimensional stability
• Tear/ Cut Resistance
• High Dielectric Strength
• Minimal out-gassing in high vacuum environments
• Thinnest, most rugged flexible heater

How Kapton is Synthesized
Kapton® is synthesized by polymerizing an aromatic dianhydride and an aromatic diamine.

• It has excellent chemical resistance since there are no known organic solvents for the film
• Kapton® does not melt or burn as it has the highest UL-94 flammability rating: V-0. The outstanding properties of Kapton® permit it to be used at both high and low temperature extremes where other organic polymeric materials would not be functional
• Adhesives are available for bonding Kapton® to itself and to metals, various paper types, and other films

Features of Polyimide Flexible Heaters

• Various adhesive systems used with Teflon® and acrylic derivatives
• UL component recognition available
• Suitable for vacuum environments (NASA-RP-1061)
• NASA approved materials for space applications (S-311-P-079)
• Resistant to most chemicals: acids and bases
• Radiation resistant to 10^6 rads (custom option)

Technical Specifications
Kapton® can withstand temperatures as low as –269°C and as high as 400°C, and still retain its properties.

Kapton® polyimide film is a registered trademark of DuPont™ and has more than 45 years of proven performance as the material of choice in applications involving temperature extremes and harsh environments.