Kapton Tape
- Thread starter ICH60
- Start date
-missy-
Western Thunderer
Thats interesting to know. I do know its extensively used in the space industry. I have some lovely aluminum deposited stuff here which has an almost chrome finish to it.
Julia
2mm Andy
Active Member
I wonder if it is the same as Phoenix Precision Paints sell as "Hot Tape" for use in soldering? I have some, but can't remember ever needing to use it.
Andy
Rob Pulham
Western Thunderer
I do hope that the adhesion of the tape has improved over the years.
Back in the last century, I used Kapton tape (or something very similar) on food industry "L Sealing" machines. Where a hot L shaped wire was brought down on to a folded sheet of cellophane to seal one end and the open edge. The sealed end, working two fold, both to seal the pack edge and at the same time to seal one end of the next pack.
The Kapton tape was the bottom layer, which the wire melted the cellophane against, to make the seal. With the replacement tape that we had, you spent as much time resticking the tape down, as you did sealing packs of bread cakes...
Back in the last century, I used Kapton tape (or something very similar) on food industry "L Sealing" machines. Where a hot L shaped wire was brought down on to a folded sheet of cellophane to seal one end and the open edge. The sealed end, working two fold, both to seal the pack edge and at the same time to seal one end of the next pack.
The Kapton tape was the bottom layer, which the wire melted the cellophane against, to make the seal. With the replacement tape that we had, you spent as much time resticking the tape down, as you did sealing packs of bread cakes...
simond
Western Thunderer
It was certainly used in the lithium battery industry when I worked in that field, and we use it in HV electronics for various purposes. I was unaware that its use was banned in aircraft. Does anyone know why?
Wikipedia disagrees, see last para.
en.wikipedia.org
Wikipedia disagrees, see last para.
Kapton - Wikipedia
SimonT
Western Thunderer
The insulation broke down to the point of turning to powder, normally on a sharp bend or a constricted fitting. Not good in a metal structure that constantly flexes. I was shown some that had come out of our (then) 25 year old C-130Ks and it was not comforting. They received a rewire at certain points in the sevicing cycle.
michael080
Western Thunderer
This is not a hairy sugar cube, but a 15x15x10mm piece of wool felt. Since I use it to press parts together for soldering, the number of blisters on my fingers decreased significantly. It is quite hard, but it levels the pressure nicely even on uneven surfaces. One of these things you discover unintentionally.
Michael
Because it is brittle and when it gets hot enough it chars/burns and conducts electricity- Arc tracking. The bulk of the wikipedia article actually explains some aircraft disasters associated with it. Totally inconsistent with the last statement in the article. But bear in mind wikipedia gets constantly edited by a heap of randoms who all have their own barrow to push, in the US often associated with trying to monetise or resuscitate a dog of a product with a bad reputation, or know next to nothing, or both. Would be interesting to check the chat associated with the article, but I don't have time (he says spamming Western Thunder...).It was certainly used in the lithium battery industry when I worked in that field, and we use it in HV electronics for various purposes. I was unaware that its use was banned in aircraft. Does anyone know why?
Wikipedia disagrees, see last para.
Kapton - Wikipedia
It was once the miracle material followed by sharp intake of breath and lots of corporate backpedalling.
Banned by Boeing
Banned by Airbus
Subject to airworthiness directives by EASA and FAA
Banned by RAAF
etc etc
Aircraft in my personal experience have been grounded because at some point someone has realised there is an unknown quantity of Kapton insulated wiring in the aircraft.
Cheers
Piet
simond
Western Thunderer
Thanks Piet,
Every day is a school day. I will review our (quite limited) use of the stuff, which won’t bring down an aircraft, but could be a pain for a customer.
(We still get 25 year old instruments back for service & calibration, which I consider a win )
cheers
Simon
Every day is a school day. I will review our (quite limited) use of the stuff, which won’t bring down an aircraft, but could be a pain for a customer.
(We still get 25 year old instruments back for service & calibration, which I consider a win
) cheers
Simon