Kapton® polyimide film heaters
SMG supplies Kapton® polyimide film heating elements, thin, flexible heaters designed to deliver precise and uniform heating in compact or complex applications. Their construction provides excellent chemical and heat resistance, electrical insulation and noise immunity, making them suitable for demanding industrial environments.
The lightweight, flexible design allows installation on curved or irregular surfaces, enabling efficient and targeted heating where space is limited. With a thin profile, rapid thermal response and operating temperatures up to 260 °C, Kapton® film heaters are widely used in semiconductor, medical, military and industrial applications requiring reliable and uniform heating.
Product summary
- Thin and flexible heaters, ideal for compact/complex heating applications
- Suitable for harsh environments and high-voltage applications
- Can be attached to irregular surfaces
- Precision heating
- Rapid thermal response
- Fully customizable to application requirements
Specifications and properties
Kapton® film heaters utilize etched foil heating elements, typically 0.0005″ or 0.0001″ thick, which are encapsulated between two layers of 0.002″ polyimide film with 0.001″ FEP adhesive. This thin and efficient design enables rapid heat-up and cool-down times and precise temperature control.
- Continuous operating temperature: Up to 160°C
- Continuous temperature with adhesive backing: Typically 120°C – 150°C
- Maximum intermittent temperature: 220°C – 260°C
- Thermal cycling capability: -50°C to +160°C
- Typical power density: 0.5 – 2.0 W/cm²
- Supply voltage: Fully customizable
- Heater thickness: Ultra-thin film construction
- Mounting method: PSA adhesive or mechanical fixation
- Surface compatibility: Flat, curved, and irregular surfaces
- Chemical resistance: Excellent
- Electrical insulation: Excellent
- Vacuum compatibility: Evaluated case-by-case based on operating conditions
- Expected lifetime: Application dependent
Note: Long-term exposure near the maximum intermittent temperature may cause minor degradation of the film binder.
Benefits of using Kapton film heaters
Compared to alternative heating technologies, Kapton® film heaters provide an optimal balance between flexibility, weight, thermal uniformity, and response time.
- Thin and flexible design – Ultra-thin and lightweight construction enables easy installation on flat, curved, or complex surfaces.
- Rapid heating and cooling – Fast thermal response supports precise temperature control in low-mass systems.
- High chemical resistance – Withstands exposure to harsh chemicals and demanding environments.
- Excellent electrical insulation – Ensures safe and reliable operation in industrial and high-voltage applications.
- Uniform heat distribution – Etched foil technology provides highly uniform heating, with options for multi-zone designs and integrated sensors for accuracy down to ±0.1°C.
- Excellent overall performance – Offers outstanding thickness, weight, flexibility, and heat uniformity compared to alternative heating technologies.
- Good vacuum compatibility – Suitable for vacuum environments depending on operating conditions.
- Customizable to application needs – Available in custom shapes, sizes, voltages, and watt densities to meet specific requirements.
- Balanced cost-performance ratio – Provides high performance and design flexibility with moderate cost and operating temperature range.
Design capabilities
• Custom voltages
• Custom wattages
• Multi-zone heating designs
• Integrated temperature sensors (RTD, thermocouple)
• Complex geometries
• Cut-outs and mounting holes
• Localized heating areas
• Custom lead wire configurations
The etched foil design enables precise resistance control and highly uniform heating across the active area.
Download the Kapton® polyimide film heaters datasheet
Consult this brochure for more information about our Kapton® polyimide film heaters.
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Industrial applications and usage of Kapton heaters
Kapton® polyimide heating elements are widely used in industries requiring precise and efficient heat management, including:
Semiconductor industry
- Wafer inspection equipment
- Probe card systems
- Bonding and lithography equipment
- Semiconductor process tools
- Test equipment
Medical equipment
- Diagnostic instruments
- Analytical equipment
- Laboratory systems
Research and laboratory equipment
- High-vacuum heating applications for experimental setups
Aerospace & defense
- Satellite battery thermal management
- Avionics heating and temperature control
- Anti-condensation systems
- Optical systems temperature stabilization
Energy & batteries
- Battery warming systems
- Battery performance testing
- Energy storage systems
Industrial equipment
- Sensors and instrumentation
- Freeze protection
- Electronics enclosures
- Precision temperature control
Why buy Kapton film heaters from Kamet?
If you are looking for a high-performance, flexible heating solution in industries requiring precise thermal control, chemical resistance, and space-efficient design, then our Kapton® film heaters from SMG may be the solution you require.
Established in 1990, SMG has been designing and manufacturing heaters for more than 20 years. Kamet has chosen to partner with them due to their exceptional standards with regards to quality as well as their dedication to ongoing innovation and product development.
You can always rely on Kamet to partner with premium manufacturers and thus ensure quality at the most cost-effective price. SMG’s Kapton® heaters can be customized in various shapes, sizes, and watt densities, to match your specific heating parameters. Our in-house specialists are on hand to give expert advice.
Brainstorm with an expert about your heating needs
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