Kapton (Polyimide) Heaters

Silicone heaters and Kapton heaters are preferred surface heating elements for laboratory equipment and medical technology due to their easy handling and variety of shapes. Like Kapton polyimide heating foils, silicone heaters are resistant to continuous temperatures of up to 200 °C, with self-adhesive foil up to 180 °C. When designing silicone heaters and Kapton foil heaters, the designer has almost unlimited degrees of freedom. This applies to the minimum and maximum dimensions, which are set within wide limits, as well as to contours and recesses, holes and feed-throughs of any kind. The good shape flexibility of silicone heating mats and foils as well as Kapton polyimide heaters also enables the heating of cylindrical, conical or rounded surfaces. The resistance of polyimides to fungi, bacteria, ozone, weather, ageing and most chemicals, acids and solvents is very good, making polyimide (Kapton) heaters an ideal solution for many critical applications.

We can offer flexible heating elements manufactured from three different insulation materials: silicone, polyimide (Kapton) or polyester. Each of these materials possess different properties which make them suitable for diverse applications. Silicone heaters can also be produced in very large sizes, whereas polyimide is significantly thinner and polyester unbeatable in price when it comes to high quantities. All three of them are bespoke products made according to your needs, so within the bounds of what is technically feasible you as the customer can determine almost every feature of your heater. This can include; voltage, wattage, dimensions, shape, sensors, leads, plus much more. Due to their low thermal mass flexible polymer insulated heaters distinguish themselves by a very short response time and excellent controllability.

Flexible silicone heaters are resistant to permanent temperatures up to 200°C, with self-adhesive foil 180°C should not be exceeded. Higher temperatures of 230°C are possible for a short time without destroying the heater. The temperature that will be reached within the application, generally is not easy to predict, as there are many influencing factors. In addition to the power, resp. surface load, this also includes mass and type of the material to be heated (thermal conductivity, surface quality, etc.) installation / assembly situation (bonded, vulcanised, clamped, etc.), ambient temperature, air movement and, of course, the control technology used. Application examples for silicone heater mats include: canteen kitchen technology / catering, anti-fog and anti-freeze applications, tool or plate heating in machines, 3D printers, laboratory equipment, composite materials repair, joint curing and much more.

Advantages of Heating Plates with Square Cartridge Heaters: -> Simple plate manufacture due to rectangular groove geometry, no deep-hole boring -> Simple heater installation by bending and pressing along the plate surface -> Complex plate geometries with bores and openings -> Optimal heat transfer due to 75% surface contact -> No casting with heat conductive compound -> Uniform temperature profiles due to thermally optimized groove layouts/power distribution and utilization of insulation plates -> high process temperatures (up to 450°C in aluminium, up to 700°C in stainless steel) Example "Heated Stamp": D=100 mm out of tempered tool steel up to max. 700°C continuous temperature. Fitted with 2 Square Cartridge Heaters 1500 W/ 230 V, 4,5 x 4,5 mm x 600 mm, with 50 mm unheated at the termination end. Annealed and formable with a nickel sheath, resistant up to 850°C surface temperature. Connection by fibreglass insulated pure nickel high-temperature leads (max. 500°C)