What Is Kapton® Tape? Technical Selection Guide
Kapton® tape is a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape made with a Kapton® polyimide film backing. The film and adhesive do different jobs: the backing supplies electrical insulation and dimensional stability, while the adhesive holds the tape in place. To select a tape, check the complete construction and the conditions of your process—not only the film name.
Looking to buy? Shop Kapton® tape in 1, 2, and 5 mil film backing thicknesses. For material without adhesive, see Kapton® film cut to length.
Kapton® and polyimide: what is the difference?
Polyimide is a family of polymers. Kapton® is a branded polyimide film, so the terms are related but not interchangeable as product claims. Our Kapton® tape is the branded film with silicone adhesive. Our standard polyimide tape is a separate listing that lets you choose silicone or acrylic adhesive. Check each listing's backing, adhesive and technical data before substituting one for another.
Which Kapton® tape thickness should I choose?
“Mil” means 0.001 inch. The listed 1, 2, and 5 mil dimensions describe the film backing. The adhesive makes the finished tape thicker. These are the specifications listed for our Kapton® silicone tape:
| Film backing | Total tape thickness | Roll length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mil | 2.5 mil | 36 yards |
| 2 mil | 3.5 mil | 36 yards |
| 5 mil | 6.5 mil | 36 yards |
A thinner backing is useful where clearance and conformability matter; a thicker backing offers more material for handling and protection. Match the finished thickness to your gap and process rather than choosing by backing alone. See the Kapton® tape technical datasheets for tensile, elongation and dielectric data.
What temperature can Kapton® tape handle?
Our Kapton® tape product lists a maximum recommended operating temperature of 500°F / 260°C for its silicone adhesive construction. DuPont reports that Kapton® Type HN film alone has been used in applications as high as 752°F / 400°C; that is not a temperature rating for our adhesive-backed tape or a blanket continuous-use guarantee. Time, surface, load and removal conditions matter. Read the temperature guide for the distinction and consult the specific product data for your process.
Common applications
- Electrical insulation and coil or wire wrapping where the product's electrical specifications fit the design.
- High-temperature masking in manufacturing processes, subject to the complete tape's adhesive limit.
- Electronics assembly and temporary holding where a thin film backing and controlled removal are needed.
- Die-cut masks for repeatable placement: shop dots, rectangles and squares.
DuPont's Kapton® film properties bulletin describes broader electrical insulation uses of the film, including flexible circuit substrates and motor insulation. Those film applications do not by themselves qualify a particular adhesive tape for the same process.
Is standard Kapton® tape ESD safe?
Electrical insulation and electrostatic discharge control are different requirements. Do not treat ordinary amber tape as a specified anti-static product. If static charge is a concern, review the anti-static polyimide tape specifications and your ESD process requirements. Our electrical insulation and ESD guide explains what to check.
Choose the construction
- Kapton® tape: branded film with silicone adhesive; choose 1, 2 or 5 mil backing and width.
- Kapton® film: non-adhesive sheet material; choose 1, 2 or 5 mil and 12, 24 or 36 inch width.
- Polyimide tape: standard amber tape with silicone or acrylic adhesive options.
- Black polyimide tape: for opacity or lower reflectivity.
- Double sided polyimide tape: adhesive on both faces for holding or bonding.
For help matching a specification, send us the required temperature, substrate, dimensions and application. Kapton® is a registered trademark of DuPont or its affiliates.
How to select a tape for your process
- Define the job. Decide whether the tape is for permanent insulation, temporary masking, holding or a die-cut placement operation. That determines whether adhesion, removability or dimension is the first constraint.
- Record the real exposure. Note the peak temperature, dwell time, number of cycles, chemicals and cleaning steps. Compare those conditions with the product's stated tape construction, not an isolated film data point.
- Check the geometry. Measure the area to cover, nearby clearance, edge lift risk and whether the tape needs to wrap around a radius. Specify both film backing and finished tape thickness.
- Specify the electrical requirement. If the tape is insulation in an electrical design, identify the required test method and working conditions. If the problem is static charge during handling, start with an anti-static product instead.
- Test on the actual substrate. Surface finish, contamination and heating history can change adhesion and removal. A sample evaluation is more useful than relying on a generic application list.
Silicone or acrylic adhesive?
Our branded Kapton® tape uses silicone adhesive. If a process calls for an acrylic construction, choose the separate polyimide tape listing and select acrylic there. The store lists up to 260°C for standard silicone constructions and 150°C for standard acrylic constructions. Those figures are product selection limits, not a claim that adhesion, clean release or electrical performance is identical on every surface. See How to Choose Polyimide Tape for the broader adhesive comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kapton® tape the same as any amber polyimide tape?
No. Kapton® identifies a brand of polyimide film; a generic amber tape could use a different film or adhesive. Compare the complete construction and technical documentation before approving a substitute.
Does 1 mil mean the finished tape is 1 mil thick?
No. In our Kapton® tape listing, 1 mil identifies the backing. The finished 1 mil backing tape is listed at 2.5 mil total. Our 2 and 5 mil backings are listed at 3.5 and 6.5 mil total, respectively.
Can I use Kapton® tape at 400°C?
Not based on a film data point. Our adhesive-backed Kapton® tape lists a maximum recommended 260°C operating temperature. The 400°C statement refers to certain applications of Kapton® Type HN film alone.
Is the product conductive or anti-static?
Do not assume that standard tape is anti-static. Review electrical insulation requirements and ESD requirements separately, and compare the anti-static tape if your process limits charge generation.
What if I need a sheet rather than a roll of tape?
Use non-adhesive Kapton® film when the material needs to be cut, formed or laminated without pressure-sensitive adhesive.