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Kapton® polyimide film possesses a unique combination of properties that make it ideal for a variety of applications in many different industries. The 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 films.

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 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.

Kapton® polyimide film can be used in a variety of electrical and electronic insulation applications: wire and cable tapes, formed coil insulation, substrates for flexible 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.

• Kapton® Type HN, all-polyimide film, 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 film 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), 19 µm (0.75 mil), 25 µm (1 mil), 50 µm (2 mil), 75 µm (3 mil), and 125 µm (5 mil) films.

• Kapton® Type VN, all-polyimide film with all of the properties of Type HN, plus superior dimensional stability. Type VN is available as 12.5 µm (0.5 mil), 19 µm (0.75 mil), 25 µm (1 mil), 50 µm (2 mil), 75 µm (3 mil), and 125 µm (5 mil) films.
• Kapton® Type FN, a Type HN film coated on one or both sides with Teflon® FEP fluoropolymer resin, imparts heat sealability, provides a moisture barrier, and enhances chemical resistance. Type FN is available in a number of combinations of polyimide and Teflon® FEP thicknesses.

Note: In addition to these three types of Kapton®, films are available with the following attributes:

• antistat
• thermally conductive
• polyimides for fine line circuitry
• cryogenic insulation
• corona resistant
• pigmented for color
• conformable
• other films tailored to meet customers' needs

The Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number for Kapton® polyimide film is [25036-53-7].