Non adhesive films, foils and glasscloth
Heat Class Y (95°C)
Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene Film (B.O.P.P.)
Mono Oriented Polypropylene Film (M.O.P.P.)
Polypropylene film has physical and dielectric properties which are suitable for many electrical and electronic applications. Polypropylene films are used in capacitor coils and as cable wrap for layer and phase separation in rotating electrical equipment and transformers. Polypropylene film has excellent resistance to moisture, greases and oils.
Heat Class E (120°C)
Acetate Cloth (Black/ White)
Acetate cloth tapes are used only for moderate applications, due to the fact that they cannot exceed 120°C. Acetate cloth tapes are very conformable, hand tearable, printable and suited for varnish impregnation. The main application for these tapes is the final bandaging and identification of coils and relays with printed tapes.
Impregnated (Saturated) Crepe Paper
The physical properties of raw paper can be saturated (impregnated) with rubber-like materials. These tapes can be used as masking for coils and for bandoleering. They can be used constantly at a temperature of 120°C.
Kraft Paper
Kraft paper provides good conformability allowing it to be used as wrapping in coil applications. They are rated at 105°C. Paper tapes offer extreme toughness and resistance against puncture.
Shrinkable Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate Film (Makrofol®)
Polycarbonate film has good flexibility, heat resistance, dimensional stability and thermoforming characteristics. It can operate within the temperature range of -60°C to 120°C. The film will resist attack by oils, fat and dilute acids, but is affected by alkalis, aminos and aromatic hydrocarbons. When a temperature of 300°C is applied for 1 second shrinkable polycarbonate will provide optimum wrapping. It is used as outer wrap for electrolytic capacitors.
Heat Class B (130°C)
Triacetate Film / Cellulose Acetate (Clarifol, Courtaulds)
Triacetate film has good dielectric strength, good resistance against greases and oils, but poor resistance against strong alkalis, acids and organic solvents. It can be used constantly at a working temperature of 130°C. It is used to wrap coils, inter-layer insulation and capacitor insulation.
Metallised Polyester Film
Polyethylene Teraphalate (P.E.T.)
Polyethylene Teraphalate
Polyester Film (Mylar®, Melinex®, Hostaphan®)
PET film is used for a variety of purposes, mainly because of it's physical, chemical and electrical properties. PET film can be used continuously at a temperature of 130°C. The film possesses good tensile strength, flexibility and good dielectric properties, as well as chemical inertness to most solvents. PET film is rated as flame retardancy class UL 94 VTM-2. PET based tapes serve as general purpose film for electrical applications, such as phase separation of motors and core and inter-layer insulation of coils and transformers.
Shrinkable Polyester Film
Polyethylene Teraphalate (P.E.T.)
Properties as PET film, but can be shrink-wrapped at a temperature of 300°C for 1 second. Shrinkable PET is used as outer wrapping for capacitors and solid-state batteries.
Heat Class H (180°C)
Polyamide Paper (Nomex ®)
Polyamide paper is an excellent insulator which offers good temperature resistance, dielectric strength, mechanical toughness, and flexibility. It is designed to operate in the temperature range of 150°C to 220°C. It can operate at a continuous temperature of 220°C.
Creped Polyamide Paper (Creped Nomex®)
With the properties of Aramid paper, but with extra conformability due to the crepeing of the paper. This will prevent damage to the paper in coil winding operations and in wrapping of structures involving curves, angles and irregular contours.
Polyamide Paper (Nomex-Mica®)
Properties as polyamide paper, but intended for use with high voltage equipment where corona is an issue. The flame retardancy is improved due to the mica content.
Polyethylene Naphalate; PEN, (Kaladex®)
PEN is designed to offer properties ranging between polyester film and polyimide film. It has good temperature resistance and can be used continuous at 160°C. It has good mechanical strength and high dielectric strength. PEN also has excellent resistance to solvents and chemicals.
Glasscloth
Glasscloths are the most flexible and conformable backings used for adhesive tapes. Due to the glass fibres in the cloth (an inorganic material), it is non-flammable and high temperature resistant. Glasscloths can be used at a constant temperature of 180°C, and offers good solvent and chemical resistance. The tensile strength of glasscloth is excellent (almost 6 times than that of 0.025 mm PET). Glasscloth tapes can be used for a wide range of applications; insulation, bandaging, bundling of rolls and transformers, surface protection during powder coating and high temperature masking.
Polyimide film (Kapton®)
Polyimide film has the best thermal properties of films available. It has no melting point and can be used over a temperature range of -269°C to 350°C. It can be used constantly at a temperature of 240°C. Its physical properties are excellent and include high tensile strength, high resistance to creep, cut-through, abrasion, solvents and chemicals. It has high dielectric strength which makes it an ideal insulating material for use with high voltage. Polyimide film will resist radiation and ultraviolet light. It is flame retardant rated as UL 94 V-O.
Polytetrafuroethylene Film (P.T.F.E.), (Teflon®)
P.T.F.E. has a wide range of temperature use from -265°C to 260°C. It has superior resistance against all types of solvents, chemicals and stresses. It has high dielectric strength and is flame retardant, rated at 94 VTM-O. It's flexible and conformable properties make it ideal for wrapping irregular shapes. Due to the low surface energy of P.T.F.E., it is difficult to adhere to it.
Other materials
White Opaque Polyester Film (Melinex®)
White polyester is used mainly for it's high printability.
Aluminium Foil (SOFT)
Widely used as a substrate for general masking and EMI/ RFI shielding applications. Aluminium possesses excellent chemical and heat resistance. It is largely unaffected by exposure to many acids and bases (alkali) and maintains its mechanical resilience up to temperatures of 500°C. In terms of shielding effectiveness (S.E.) aluminium is not as effective as copper. This is due to its lower level of conductivity and the tough nature of aluminium's oxide layer which impairs its chemical resistance and prevents it from being soldered.
Copper Foil (SOFT-TEMPER F20)
Due to it's excellent conformability, high conductivity and shielding effectiveness, copper foil has found a multitude of uses in the electrical/ electronics fields. In comparison to aluminium foil, copper foil does provide greater shielding effectiveness than aluminium of the same thickness and is particularly more effective in the higher frequencies (+10 kHz). Copper foil can be readily soldered and this makes it ideal for the easy attachment of an earthing connector onto the metal shield. Unfortunately copper does tend to oxidise in "normal" environments as a result it should ideally be protected to maintain it in a quality condition.
Tin Clad Copper Foil (SOFT)
This is based on a layer of soft copper foil sandwiched between two thin layers of tin. The tin surfaces provide improved environmental resistance in comparison to copper and at the same time both are easily soldered. This particular foil construction is always recommended for those applications where maximum shielding effectiveness combined with good environment resistances are required.