2
GENERAL INFORMATION
Kapton® polyimide lm possesses a unique combination of
properties that make it ideal for a variety of applications in many
dierent industries. e ability of Kapton® to maintain its excellent
physical, electrical, and mechanical properties over a wide
temperature range has opened new design and application areas to
plastic lms. Kapton® is synthesized by polymerizing an aromatic
dianhydride and an aromatic diamine. It has excellent chemical
resistance; there are no known organic solvents for the lm. Kapton®
is self extinguishing as it has the highest UL-94 ammability rating:
V-0. e 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 lms. Kapton® polyimide lm can be used in a variety of
electrical and electronic insulation applications: wire and cable tapes,
formed coil insulation, substrates for exible printed circuits, motor
slot liners, magnet wire insulation, transformer and capacitor
insulation, magnetic and pressure-sensitive tapes, and tubing. 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.
ree types of Kapton® are described in this bulletin:
• Kapton® Type HN, all-polyimide lm, has been used
successfully in applications at temperatures as low as -269°C
(-452°F) and as high as 400°C (752°F). Type HN lm can be
laminated, metallized, punched, formed, or adhesive coated. It
is available as 7.5 µm (0.3 mil), 12.5 µm (0.5 mil), 25 µm (1 mil),
50 µm (2 mil), 75 µm (3 mil), and 125 µm (5 mil) lms.
• Kapton® Type HPP-ST, all-polyimide lm with all of the
properties of Type HN, plus superior dimensional stability and
modied surface for better adhesion. Type HPP-ST is available
as 12.5 µm (0.5 mil), 25 µm (1 mil), 50 µm (2 mil), 75 µm (3
mil), and 125 µm (5 mil) lms.
• Kapton® Type FN, a Type HN lm coated or laminated on one
or both sides with FEP uoropolymer resin, imparts heat
sealability, provides a moisture barrier, and enhances chemical
resistance. Type FN is available in a number of combinations of
polyimide and FEP thicknesses (see Table 16).
Note: In addition to these three types of Kapton®, lms are
available with the following attributes:
• Antistat
• ermally conductive
• Polyimides for ne line circuitry
DUPONT
™
KAPTON
®
SUMMARY OF PROPERTIES
• Cryogenic insulation
• Corona resistant
• Pigmented for color
• Conformable
• Other lms tailored to meet customers’ needs
Data for these lms are covered in separate product bulletins,
which can be obtained from your DuPont representative.
Kapton
®
withstands the harsh chemical and physical demands on
diaphragms used in automotive switches.
Kapton® polyimide lms retain their physical properties over a wide
temperature range. ey have been used in eld applications where
the environmental temperatures were as low as -269°C (-52°F) and
as high as 400°C (752°F). Complete data are not available at these
extreme conditions, and the majority of technical data presented in
this section falls in the 23 to 200°C (73 to 392°F) range.