Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated) PI (Kapton FN)

Composite: Kapton HN polyimide film with FEP fluorocarbon resin on one or both sides

Also known as 120FN616, 150FN019, 250FN029

Kapton FN is Qnity's heat-sealable polyimide film: Kapton HN polyimide film with FEP fluoropolymer resin coated or laminated on one or both sides.

8 sources · Updated 2026-11-01 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Strength

207 MPa

Insulation

272 V/µm

Heat sealing

700 g/in

Moisture

2.5% at 98% RH

Thermal index

240 °C electrical

Recipe, share of the weight

  • 80 wt% in 120FN616, 57 wt% in 150FN019, 73 wt% in 250FN029 (summary, Table 4)Kapton HN polyimide film
  • 20 wt% in 120FN616, 43 wt% in 150FN019, 27 wt% in 250FN029 (summary, Table 4)FEP fluorocarbon resin

Best for

Heat-sealable insulating film that needs a polyimide base, a fluoropolymer sealing layer and a moisture barrier

Weakest at

No flight or space-exposure data we read name an FN grade, and the two Qnity sources disagree on density

Risk at a glance

  • People Low. No hazard classification listed; watch cuts and static
  • If it fails Moderate. Overheating above 400 °C
  • Corrosion No data. No corrosion data recorded

Quick facts: PI (Kapton FN)

Key properties of PI (Kapton FN)
PropertyValueBasis
Density1.5 to 1.7 g/cm³6 sourced values across conditions
Tensile strength162 to 207 MPa3 sourced values across conditions
Young's modulus2.28 to 2.62 GPa3 sourced values across conditions

What is the density of Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated)?

Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated) has a density of 1.5 to 1.7 g/cm³. The range covers 6 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the tensile strength of Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated)?

Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated) has a tensile strength of 162 to 207 MPa. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What is the Young's modulus of Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated)?

Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated) has a Young's modulus of 2.28 to 2.62 GPa. The range covers 3 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.

What are the other names and codes for Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated)?

Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated) is also written as 120FN616, 150FN019, 250FN029. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.

What is Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated) used for?

Uses recorded in the sources include Heater circuits, tubing, heat-sealable bags and electrical insulation; Aluminized Kapton polyimide multilayer insulation (MLI) on a space experiment tray.

Why it exists

Kapton FN is Kapton HN polyimide film with FEP fluorocarbon resin on one or both sides. The polyimide keeps the high-temperature insulation behaviour of the base film, and the FEP layer adds a heat-sealable surface and a moisture barrier. Qnity describes FN as a heat-sealable grade for flexible insulation, heater circuits and bags. The summary of properties does not name a space application for FN, and the only space source read describes plain Kapton MLI without naming a grade. A designer who needs a sealable, insulating film would choose FN for those properties, and the sources read for this profile do not show that FN has flown.

Where it's used

Heater circuits, tubing and electrical insulation

Qnity's product page lists heater circuits, tubing, heat-sealable bags, automotive diaphragms and manifolds, and electrical insulation as uses of Kapton FN. No aerospace use is named on the page.

Space thermal blankets (Kapton, grade not stated)

A NASA report on Space Station WP-2 blankets describes aluminized Kapton polyimide multilayer insulation on LDEF tray F-9 and expects the blanket to last 30 years in low Earth orbit. The report names no Kapton grade and no FEP coating.

Recipe

Composite: Kapton HN polyimide film with FEP fluorocarbon resin on one or both sides

Kapton FN is a composite of Kapton HN polyimide film with FEP fluorocarbon resin on one or both sides. Qnity's bulletin describes it as combining Kapton HN with FEP in a composite structure. Weight shares are printed for three constructions.

What PI (Kapton FN) is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Kapton HN polyimide film 80 wt% in 120FN616, 57 wt% in 150FN019, 73 wt% in 250FN029 (summary, Table 4) The base film. It carries the polyimide's thermal, mechanical and electrical properties.
FEP fluorocarbon resin 20 wt% in 120FN616, 43 wt% in 150FN019, 27 wt% in 250FN029 (summary, Table 4) The heat-sealable layer on one or both sides. The summary says it adds heat sealability, a moisture barrier and better chemical resistance.

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Strength

207 MPa

The 120FN616 construction has a typical ultimate tensile strength of 207 MPa at 23 °C and an elongation at break of 75% (summary, Table 4, ASTM D-882-91 Method A).

Insulation

272 V/µm

120FN616 has a typical dielectric strength of 272 V/µm and a dielectric constant of 3.1 (summary, Table 8). The bulletin's minimum breakdown for the same construction is 165 kV/mm.

Heat sealing

700 g/in

Coated sides seal to a minimum peel strength of 700 g/in (2.7 N/cm) for constructions other than 120FN616, which has 450 g/in (1.7 N/cm). The test seals at 350 °C (662 °F), 20 psig and 20 sec dwell (bulletin).

Moisture

2.5% at 98% RH

120FN616 takes up 1.3% water at 50% RH and 2.5% at 98% RH at 23 °C (summary, Table 11). The summary says the FEP layer provides a moisture barrier.

Thermal index

240 °C electrical

The Qnity product page lists a UL electrical relative thermal index of 240 °C and a mechanical value of 200 °C under UL 746B, for the Kapton FN series.

How it compares

Among the three printed FN constructions, 120FN616 has the highest tensile strength at 23 °C (207 MPa) and the highest typical dielectric strength (272 V/µm), but its minimum breakdown (165 kV/mm) is above 150FN019 (146 kV/mm) and 250FN029 (108 kV/mm). 250FN029 has the highest elongation at 23 °C (85%) and the highest tensile modulus (2.62 GPa). 150FN019 takes up less water at 98% RH (1.7%) than 120FN616 (2.5%); the summary prints no moisture figure for 250FN029. The bulletin's and the summary's densities for the same grades differ, so the density comparison is shown with both values. The bulletin's HN base-film tables are not recorded here as FN values.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.

Benchmarks
MeasurementPI (Kapton FN)PI (CP1)PI (Kapton H)PI (Kapton HN)PI (PMR-15)PI (Upilex-S)
Thermal behavior and safety
Minimum seal peel strength, FN constructions other than 120FN616700 g/in35no datano datano datano datano data
Minimum seal peel strength, 120FN616450 g/in36no datano datano datano datano data
Physical and electrical
Density, 120FN616 (summary)1.53 g/cc131.419 g/cm³1.427 g/cm³1.42 g/cm³1.287 g/cm³1.387 g/cm³
Density, 150FN019 (summary)1.67 g/cc141.419 g/cm³1.427 g/cm³1.42 g/cm³1.287 g/cm³1.387 g/cm³
Density, 250FN029 (summary)1.57 g/cc151.419 g/cm³1.427 g/cm³1.42 g/cm³1.287 g/cm³1.387 g/cm³
Density, 120FN616 (product page)1.5 g/cc161.419 g/cm³1.427 g/cm³1.42 g/cm³1.287 g/cm³1.387 g/cm³
Density, 150FN019 (product page)1.7 g/cc171.419 g/cm³1.427 g/cm³1.42 g/cm³1.287 g/cm³1.387 g/cm³
Density, 250FN029 (product page)1.6 g/cc181.419 g/cm³1.427 g/cm³1.42 g/cm³1.287 g/cm³1.387 g/cm³
Other measurements
Ultimate tensile strength, 120FN616, 23 °C207 MPa187 MPano datano datano data520 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, 150FN019, 23 °C162 MPa287 MPano datano datano data520 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, 250FN029, 23 °C200 MPa387 MPano datano datano data520 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, 120FN616, 200 °C121 MPa487 MPano datano datano data520 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, 150FN019, 200 °C89 MPa587 MPano datano datano data520 MPa
Ultimate tensile strength, 250FN029, 200 °C115 MPa687 MPano datano datano data520 MPa
Ultimate elongation, 120FN616, 23 °C75 %716 percentno datano datano data40 %
Ultimate elongation, 150FN019, 23 °C70 %816 percentno datano datano data40 %
Ultimate elongation, 250FN029, 23 °C85 %916 percentno datano datano data40 %
Tensile modulus, 120FN616, 23 °C2.48 GPa102 GPano datano datano data9.1 GPa
Tensile modulus, 150FN019, 23 °C2.28 GPa112 GPano datano datano data9.1 GPa
Tensile modulus, 250FN029, 23 °C2.62 GPa122 GPano datano datano data9.1 GPa
Dielectric strength, 120FN616, typical272 V/µm19no datano data303 kV/mmno data6.8 kV
Dielectric strength, 150FN019, typical197 V/µm20no datano data303 kV/mmno data6.8 kV
Dielectric strength, 250FN029, typical197 V/µm21no datano data303 kV/mmno data6.8 kV
Minimum breakdown strength, 120FN616165 kV/mm22no datano data303 kV/mmno data6.8 kV
Minimum breakdown strength, 150FN019146 kV/mm23no datano data303 kV/mmno data6.8 kV
Minimum breakdown strength, 250FN029108 kV/mm24no datano data303 kV/mmno data6.8 kV
Dielectric constant, 120FN616, typical3.1 -252.4 -no data3.4 (dimensionless)no data3.5 -
Dielectric constant, 150FN019, typical2.7 -262.4 -no data3.4 (dimensionless)no data3.5 -
Dielectric constant, 250FN029, typical3 -272.4 -no data3.4 (dimensionless)no data3.5 -
Dissipation factor, 120FN616, typical0.0015 -28no datano datano datano data0.0013 -
Dissipation factor, 150FN019, typical0.0013 -29no datano datano datano data0.0013 -
Dissipation factor, 250FN029, typical0.0013 -30no datano datano datano data0.0013 -
Moisture absorption, 120FN616, 50% RH1.3 %310.4 percentno datano datano data1.4 %
Moisture absorption, 120FN616, 98% RH2.5 %320.4 percentno datano datano data1.4 %
Moisture absorption, 150FN019, 50% RH0.8 %330.4 percentno datano datano data1.4 %
Moisture absorption, 150FN019, 98% RH1.7 %340.4 percentno datano datano data1.4 %
UL electrical relative thermal index, Kapton FN series240 °C37no datano datano datano datano data
UL mechanical strength relative thermal index, Kapton FN series200 °C38no datano datano datano datano data
Polyimide content, 120FN61680 wt%39no datano datano datano datano data
Polyimide content, 150FN01957 wt%40no datano datano datano datano data
Polyimide content, 250FN02973 wt%41no datano datano datano datano data

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Heat sealing. Coated sides seal with a minimum peel strength of 700 g/in for most constructions (bulletin).
  • Moisture-resistant insulation. The FEP layer gives a moisture barrier (summary); 120FN616 takes up 2.5% water at 98% RH.
  • Insulation in thin gauges. 120FN616 has a typical dielectric strength of 272 V/µm.

Watch out for

  • No flight data for an FN grade were found, and the space-exposure data read for Kapton are for other grades or films.
  • Density values differ between Qnity's two sources for each grade (1.53 against 1.50 for 120FN616, 1.67 against 1.70 for 150FN019 and 1.57 against 1.60 for 250FN029).
  • Loss of elongation under UV, oxygen and water in air; the summary shows it only in figures.

Kapton FN is a heat-sealable version of Kapton HN film with a FEP layer that adds sealing and a moisture barrier. Its space record is thin in the sources read, so treat it as a ground-tested insulating film unless the grade is qualified for flight.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Other names and standards

The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.

Other names and standards
SystemCodes
Trade name120FN616 (Kapton FN construction code), 150FN019 (Kapton FN construction code), 250FN029 (Kapton FN construction code)

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Ultimate tensile strength, 120FN616, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film typetest ASTM D-882-91, Method A (Table 4 footnote: same test methods as Table 1)—
2Ultimate tensile strength, 150FN019, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film typetest ASTM D-882-91, Method A (Table 4 footnote: same test methods as Table 1)—
3Ultimate tensile strength, 250FN029, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film typetest ASTM D-882-91, Method A (Table 4 footnote: same test methods as Table 1)—
4Ultimate tensile strength, 120FN616, 200 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616temperature 200 °C (392 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
5Ultimate tensile strength, 150FN019, 200 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019temperature 200 °C (392 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
6Ultimate tensile strength, 250FN029, 200 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029temperature 200 °C (392 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
7Ultimate elongation, 120FN616, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
8Ultimate elongation, 150FN019, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
9Ultimate elongation, 250FN029, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
10Tensile modulus, 120FN616, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
11Tensile modulus, 150FN019, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
12Tensile modulus, 250FN029, 23 °CTypical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film type—
13Density, 120FN616 (summary)Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film typeThe Qnity product page prints 1.50 g/cc for the same grade; both are recorded.
14Density, 150FN019 (summary)Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film typeThe Qnity product page prints 1.70 g/cc for the same grade; both are recorded.
15Density, 250FN029 (summary)Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029temperature 23 °C (73 °F)value basis typical value for film typeThe Qnity product page prints 1.60 g/cc for the same grade; both are recorded.
16Density, 120FN616 (product page)Value printed in the grade table of the Qnity product pagegrade 120FN616note grade table on the Qnity product page; no test temperature printed in the tableThe Qnity summary of properties prints 1.53 g/cc for the same grade.
17Density, 150FN019 (product page)Value printed in the grade table of the Qnity product pagegrade 150FN019note grade table on the Qnity product page; no test temperature printed in the tableThe Qnity summary of properties prints 1.67 g/cc for the same grade.
18Density, 250FN029 (product page)Value printed in the grade table of the Qnity product pagegrade 250FN029note grade table on the Qnity product page; no test temperature printed in the tableThe Qnity summary of properties prints 1.57 g/cc for the same grade.
19Dielectric strength, 120FN616, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616basis typical value; the summary prints V/µm and V/mil (6900)frequency not printed in Table 8—
20Dielectric strength, 150FN019, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019basis typical value; the summary prints V/µm and V/mil (5000)frequency not printed in Table 8—
21Dielectric strength, 250FN029, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029basis typical value; the summary prints V/µm and V/mil (5000)frequency not printed in Table 8—
22Minimum breakdown strength, 120FN616Minimum value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletingrade 120FN616basis minimum breakdown, printed as 4,200 V/mil (165 kV/mm)test ASTM D-149-97, average of ten specimens, 60 cycles AC, 500 V/sec rate of rise, 1/4 in brass electrodesThe summary prints a typical 272 V/µm for the same construction; the two are different bases (minimum versus typical) and both are recorded.
23Minimum breakdown strength, 150FN019Minimum value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletingrade 150FN019basis minimum breakdown, printed as 3,700 V/mil (146 kV/mm)test ASTM D-149-97, average of ten specimens, 60 cycles AC, 500 V/sec rate of rise—
24Minimum breakdown strength, 250FN029Minimum value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletingrade 250FN029basis minimum breakdown, printed as 2,750 V/mil (108 kV/mm)test ASTM D-149-97, average of ten specimens, 60 cycles AC, 500 V/sec rate of rise—
25Dielectric constant, 120FN616, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616basis typical valuefrequency not printed in Table 8—
26Dielectric constant, 150FN019, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019basis typical valuefrequency not printed in Table 8—
27Dielectric constant, 250FN029, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029basis typical valuefrequency not printed in Table 8—
28Dissipation factor, 120FN616, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616basis typical valuefrequency not printed in Table 8—
29Dissipation factor, 150FN019, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019basis typical valuefrequency not printed in Table 8—
30Dissipation factor, 250FN029, typicalTypical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029basis typical valuefrequency not printed in Table 8—
31Moisture absorption, 120FN616, 50% RHValue printed in Table 11 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616temperature 23 °C (73 °F)humidity 50% RH—
32Moisture absorption, 120FN616, 98% RHValue printed in Table 11 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616temperature 23 °C (73 °F)humidity 98% RH—
33Moisture absorption, 150FN019, 50% RHValue printed in Table 11 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019temperature 23 °C (73 °F)humidity 50% RH—
34Moisture absorption, 150FN019, 98% RHValue printed in Table 11 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019temperature 23 °C (73 °F)humidity 98% RH—
35Minimum seal peel strength, FN constructions other than 120FN616Minimum value stated in the Heat Seal Strength section of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletinconstructions all FN constructions except 120FN616seal jaw sealer at 350 °C (662 °F), 20 psig (1.4 bar), 20 sec dwellpeel between coated sides; printed as minimum 700 g/in (2.7 N/cm)—
36Minimum seal peel strength, 120FN616Minimum value stated in the Heat Seal Strength section of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletinconstructions 120FN616 onlyseal jaw sealer at 350 °C (662 °F), 20 psig (1.4 bar), 20 sec dwellpeel between coated sides; printed as minimum 450 g/in (1.7 N/cm)—
37UL electrical relative thermal index, Kapton FN seriesSeries-level value printed on the Qnity product pagestandard UL 746Bseries Kapton FN series as printed on the product page; no grade named—
38UL mechanical strength relative thermal index, Kapton FN seriesSeries-level value printed on the Qnity product pagestandard UL 746Bseries Kapton FN series as printed on the product page; no grade named—
39Polyimide content, 120FN616Value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 120FN616fep wt percent 20construction 25.4 µm Kapton HN base with 2.54 µm FEP on each side (Table 16)—
40Polyimide content, 150FN019Value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 150FN019fep wt percent 43construction 25.4 µm Kapton HN base with 12.7 µm FEP on one side (Table 16)—
41Polyimide content, 250FN029Value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of propertiesgrade 250FN029fep wt percent 27construction 50.8 µm Kapton HN base with 12.7 µm FEP on one side (Table 16)—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Humid air, 23 °C, 50% and 98% relative humidity not rated FN film took up 1.3% water at 50% RH and 2.5% at 98% RH for 120FN616.1
Ultraviolet light, oxygen and water in Earth's atmosphere not rated Kapton loses elongation when UV, oxygen and water act together in air; FN was not tested separately in the summary.2
Heat ageing in air at 400 °C not rated Qnity's routine test ages the film at 400 °C for 2 hours and requires at least 10% elongation afterward.3
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Humid air, 23 °C, 50% and 98% relative humidity The summary of properties prints moisture absorption of 1.3% at 50% RH and 2.5% at 98% RH for 120FN616, and 0.8% and 1.7% for 150FN019. It says the FEP layer provides a moisture barrier. These are water-uptake figures, not a corrosion test. basis printed moisture-absorption figures; no corrosion or humidity-ageing test printed for FNtemperature 23 °C (73 °F)
2 Ultraviolet light, oxygen and water in Earth's atmosphere The summary says that in the atmosphere there is a synergistic effect on Kapton when it is directly exposed to some combinations of ultraviolet radiation, oxygen and water, shown as a loss of elongation in Florida panel tests and in an Atlas Weatherometer. The results are figures only, and no number is printed in the text. basis statement about Kapton polyimide film in the summary's radiation section; no FN-specific test printedexposure Florida test panels and Atlas Weatherometer exposure (figures only)
3 Heat ageing in air at 400 °C The bulletin says Kapton film is routinely aged freely suspended at 400 °C ±2 °C for 2 hours (1 hour for 30 and 50 gauge film), then tested on a tensile tester. The elongation should not be less than 10% after this ageing. The bulletin states this for the Kapton film it covers, and it gives no separate figure for FN. basis routine manufacturing test as described in the bulletin; FN not named as a separate resulttemperature 400 °C ±2 °C (752 °F ±3.6 °F)duration 2 hr

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The article information sheet for the Kapton HN base film lists no hazard classification. It does not name the FN product, so check the supplier data for the FN film you handle.

The film
The sheet lists no hazard statements and says inhalation and ingestion are not considered potential routes of exposure. Thick films have sharp edges that can cut.
Fire
The film is self-extinguishing and does not burn in air, though it burns in 100% oxygen. Above 400 °C (752 °F) it gives off carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides.
Static
Processing and unwrapping can generate static charge, so the sheet advises taking action to avoid static discharge.

If it overheats or ages

These results come from the manufacturer's sheet, the summary of properties and the bulletin's routine ageing test, not from failures of finished flight hardware.

Heat
The sheet lists temperature above 400 °C as a condition to avoid. Qnity's routine test ages the film at 400 °C for 2 hours and requires at least 10% elongation afterward.
Sunlight and air
In the summary's test panels, Kapton lost elongation when ultraviolet light, oxygen and water acted together. The results are shown only as figures.

Handling and storage

Storage
Keep the film dry at 20 - 30 °C, away from strong acids and strong oxidizers.
Protection
Wear safety glasses with side shields and impervious gloves. A dust respirator is needed only where airborne exposure could exceed limits.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Overheating above 400 °Cmoderate severityTemperature above 400 °C (752 °F)Decomposition to carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides, as the article information sheet states for the HN film. No decomposition temperature for the FEP layer is printed in the sources read.
Loss of elongation under UV, oxygen and watermoderate severityDirect exposure to some combinations of ultraviolet radiation, oxygen and water in the atmosphereLoss of elongation, shown in Florida panel and Atlas Weatherometer tests. The summary gives the results as figures only.

Side effects on surrounding parts

Side effects on surrounding parts
AffectsEffect
Handling and the equipment that feeds the filmProcessing and unwrapping the film can generate static charge.

Handling and storage

  • Store in a dry place at 20 - 30 °C, as the article information sheet advises for the HN film.
  • Avoid breathing dust, take action to avoid static electricity discharge, and handle thick films with care because their edges can cut.
  • Keep away from strong acids and strong oxidizers, which the sheet lists as incompatible.

Mitigations

  • Wear safety glasses with side shields and impervious gloves. Wear a respirator with a dust or mist cartridge only where airborne exposure could exceed applicable limits.

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Polyimide film (Kapton)

Monomer feedstock abundance was not found in any source read for this profile.

Top producers (2025)
not stated in source, not stated in source
Recycling
Not sourced.

Updated