You might have heard of or even used Polyimide tape before if you are in the electrical and electronics industry. Also known as Kapton tape, it has many benefits and uses in any industry regarding electrical and electronics.
Polyimide tape
Polyimide tape is known to have excellent adhesive quality. It is among the best heat-resistant adhesives you can find on the market. Its tolerance over a high-temperature range means that it will not lose its adhesiveness quickly. On top of that, it can be easily removed without leaving behind any unwanted residue and has chemical resistant properties, making it ideal for electronics.
Because of its properties, some of the industries that benefit from using polyimide tapes are electrical and electronics, automotive and aerospace. What makes polyimide tape such an effective tape lies in the critical material – polyimide.
Polyimide is a polymer made up of imide monomers that have gone through polymerisation. Polyimide is highly versatile and can be shaped, metallised, and laminated to fit any industrial requirement.
Kapton tape
Kapton tape is a type of polyimide tape. It’s not the only type but is the most preferred among industries. Manufactured at a high temperature of approximately 300 Degrees Celsius, Kapton tapes, like any other polyimide tapes, are excellent insulators, heat, and chemical resistant.
Kapton tape is available in both single-sided and double-sided variations, giving it more options and possibilities for applications. As mentioned earlier, any Kapton or polyimide tape’s fundamental strength is its heat and chemical resistance. A Kapton tape can be applied in temperatures ranging from as low as -196 Degrees Celsius to as high as 400 Degrees Celsius. Most solvents, oil, and acids do not affect their adhesive and insulating properties.
Five specific applications of Kapton tape
1. General electrical use
Mainly applied to insulate parts such as capacitors, transformers, and magnetic wires, it can also maintain a specific temperature range during powder coatings. There are also moments when anti-static polyimide tape is applied instead, especially during circuit boards where static electricity is produced.
2. Automotive
Most car manufacturers apply Kapton tape where insulation and heat resistance is necessary. Other variations of polyimide tapes are used to wrap specific sensors, diaphragms, switches, and coils, particularly in seat heaters, ensuring that it stays at a fixed temperature and do not catch fire.
3. 3D printing
Kapton tape is frequently used in 3D printing. It is often applied over the printing surface to ensure the printed item does not move around during the process.
4. X-Rays
Applied frequently over the window of X-ray machines, Kapton does not degrade quickly from radiation. Hence, it is heavily used and required in X-ray tubes and synchrotron light lines.
5. Space industry
Kapton is applied to keep specific spaceship systems at a set temperature.
Reasons for not utilising polyimides for all industries
Suppose you consider the many excellent properties polyimides have. In that case, you might think to yourself whether it is possible to utilise polyimides across every industry. Suppose you actually consider the manufacturing process of these polyimides. In that case, you will understand that it is too expensive to manufacture and use in day-to-day production.
Conclusion
Polyimide tape, or Kapton tape, is vital to many industries. Whether it is to build a spacecraft or simply print a 3D item, it provides excellent insulation and adhesiveness.
Heleflo Products supplies all sorts of industrial quality tapes to Singapore and internationally, from reinforced paper gummed tape to carpet tapes. We provide high-quality tapes across multiple industries and organisations, from start-ups to SMEs and MNCs. For more information on procuring some of our eco-friendly tapes, contact us at marketing@heleflo.com.sg.
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