spore: profile
id: pi-kapton-fn
spore_version: 0.2
family: polyimides
name: Kapton FN polyimide film (FEP-coated)
abbreviation: PI (Kapton FN)
role: heat-sealable insulating film
category: polymers
type: polyimides
summary: |
  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. For the 120FN616 construction, Qnity's summary of properties prints a typical ultimate tensile strength of 207 MPa at 23 °C (ASTM D-882-91, Method A). The FEP layer adds heat sealability and a moisture barrier, and the specification bulletin gives a minimum seal peel strength of 700 g/in for every construction except 120FN616, which is 450 g/in. Qnity prints two different densities for the same grades, so both are recorded.
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
identity:
  formula: 'Composite: Kapton HN polyimide film with FEP fluorocarbon resin on one or both sides'
  source: qnity-bulletin
  where: Product description (Kapton FN polyimide film) and Table 1, FN film types
  designations:
    - system: Trade name
      code: 120FN616
      note: Kapton FN construction code
      source: qnity-page
      where: Grade table, first row
    - system: Trade name
      code: 150FN019
      note: Kapton FN construction code
      source: qnity-page
      where: Grade table, second row
    - system: Trade name
      code: 250FN029
      note: Kapton FN construction code
      source: qnity-page
      where: Grade table, fourth row
tags:
  applications:
    - electronics-and-chips
    - thermal-control
  stresses:
    - uv
properties:
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, 120FN616, 23 °C
    value: 207
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
      test: 'ASTM D-882-91, Method A (Table 4 footnote: same test methods as Table 1)'
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4 (Physical Properties of Kapton Type FN Film), Ultimate Tensile Strength, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, 150FN019, 23 °C
    value: 162
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
      test: 'ASTM D-882-91, Method A (Table 4 footnote: same test methods as Table 1)'
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4 (Physical Properties of Kapton Type FN Film), Ultimate Tensile Strength, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, 250FN029, 23 °C
    value: 200
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
      test: 'ASTM D-882-91, Method A (Table 4 footnote: same test methods as Table 1)'
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4 (Physical Properties of Kapton Type FN Film), Ultimate Tensile Strength, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, 120FN616, 200 °C
    value: 121
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      temperature: 200 °C (392 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Ultimate Tensile Strength, 200 °C row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, 150FN019, 200 °C
    value: 89
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      temperature: 200 °C (392 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Ultimate Tensile Strength, 200 °C row
  - benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    label: Ultimate tensile strength, 250FN029, 200 °C
    value: 115
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      temperature: 200 °C (392 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Ultimate Tensile Strength, 200 °C row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Ultimate elongation, 120FN616, 23 °C
    value: 75
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Ultimate Elongation, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Ultimate elongation, 150FN019, 23 °C
    value: 70
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Ultimate Elongation, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Ultimate elongation, 250FN029, 23 °C
    value: 85
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Ultimate Elongation, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, 120FN616, 23 °C
    value: 2.48
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Tensile Modulus, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, 150FN019, 23 °C
    value: 2.28
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Tensile Modulus, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, 250FN029, 23 °C
    value: 2.62
    unit: GPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Tensile Modulus, 23 °C row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, 120FN616 (summary)
    value: 1.53
    unit: g/cc
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    note: The Qnity product page prints 1.50 g/cc for the same grade; both are recorded.
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Density row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, 150FN019 (summary)
    value: 1.67
    unit: g/cc
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    note: The Qnity product page prints 1.70 g/cc for the same grade; both are recorded.
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Density row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, 250FN029 (summary)
    value: 1.57
    unit: g/cc
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      value_basis: typical value for film type
    method: Typical value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    note: The Qnity product page prints 1.60 g/cc for the same grade; both are recorded.
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Density row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, 120FN616 (product page)
    value: 1.5
    unit: g/cc
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      note: grade table on the Qnity product page; no test temperature printed in the table
    method: Value printed in the grade table of the Qnity product page
    status: ground
    note: The Qnity summary of properties prints 1.53 g/cc for the same grade.
    source: qnity-page
    where: Grade table, Density (g/cc) column, first row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, 150FN019 (product page)
    value: 1.7
    unit: g/cc
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      note: grade table on the Qnity product page; no test temperature printed in the table
    method: Value printed in the grade table of the Qnity product page
    status: ground
    note: The Qnity summary of properties prints 1.67 g/cc for the same grade.
    source: qnity-page
    where: Grade table, Density (g/cc) column, second row
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, 250FN029 (product page)
    value: 1.6
    unit: g/cc
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      note: grade table on the Qnity product page; no test temperature printed in the table
    method: Value printed in the grade table of the Qnity product page
    status: ground
    note: The Qnity summary of properties prints 1.57 g/cc for the same grade.
    source: qnity-page
    where: Grade table, Density (g/cc) column, fourth row
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Dielectric strength, 120FN616, typical
    value: 272
    unit: V/µm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      basis: typical value; the summary prints V/µm and V/mil (6900)
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8 (Typical Electrical Properties of Kapton Type FN Film), Dielectric Strength row
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Dielectric strength, 150FN019, typical
    value: 197
    unit: V/µm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      basis: typical value; the summary prints V/µm and V/mil (5000)
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8, Dielectric Strength row
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Dielectric strength, 250FN029, typical
    value: 197
    unit: V/µm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      basis: typical value; the summary prints V/µm and V/mil (5000)
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8, Dielectric Strength row
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Minimum breakdown strength, 120FN616
    value: 165
    unit: kV/mm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      basis: 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 electrodes
    method: Minimum value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletin
    status: ground
    note: The summary prints a typical 272 V/µm for the same construction; the two are different bases (minimum versus typical) and both are recorded.
    source: qnity-bulletin
    where: Table 4 (Dielectric Strength of Kapton FN polyimide film), 120FN616 row
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Minimum breakdown strength, 150FN019
    value: 146
    unit: kV/mm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      basis: 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
    method: Minimum value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletin
    status: ground
    source: qnity-bulletin
    where: Table 4, 150FN019 row
  - benchmark: dielectric_strength
    label: Minimum breakdown strength, 250FN029
    value: 108
    unit: kV/mm
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      basis: 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
    method: Minimum value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletin
    status: ground
    source: qnity-bulletin
    where: Table 4, 250FN029 row
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Dielectric constant, 120FN616, typical
    value: 3.1
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      basis: typical value
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8, Dielectric Constant row
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Dielectric constant, 150FN019, typical
    value: 2.7
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      basis: typical value
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8, Dielectric Constant row
  - benchmark: dielectric_constant
    label: Dielectric constant, 250FN029, typical
    value: 3
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      basis: typical value
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8, Dielectric Constant row
  - benchmark: dissipation_factor
    label: Dissipation factor, 120FN616, typical
    value: 0.0015
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      basis: typical value
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8, Dissipation Factor row
  - benchmark: dissipation_factor
    label: Dissipation factor, 150FN019, typical
    value: 0.0013
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      basis: typical value
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8, Dissipation Factor row
  - benchmark: dissipation_factor
    label: Dissipation factor, 250FN029, typical
    value: 0.0013
    unit: '-'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      basis: typical value
      frequency: not printed in Table 8
    method: Typical value printed in Table 8 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 8, Dissipation Factor row
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Moisture absorption, 120FN616, 50% RH
    value: 1.3
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      humidity: 50% RH
    method: Value printed in Table 11 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 11 (Chemical Properties of Kapton Type FN Film), Moisture Absorption, 50% RH row
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Moisture absorption, 120FN616, 98% RH
    value: 2.5
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      humidity: 98% RH
    method: Value printed in Table 11 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 11, Moisture Absorption, 98% RH row
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Moisture absorption, 150FN019, 50% RH
    value: 0.8
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      humidity: 50% RH
    method: Value printed in Table 11 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 11, Moisture Absorption, 50% RH row
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Moisture absorption, 150FN019, 98% RH
    value: 1.7
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
      humidity: 98% RH
    method: Value printed in Table 11 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 11, Moisture Absorption, 98% RH row
  - benchmark: heat_seal_peel_strength
    label: Minimum seal peel strength, FN constructions other than 120FN616
    value: 700
    unit: g/in
    scope: material
    conditions:
      constructions: all FN constructions except 120FN616
      seal: jaw sealer at 350 °C (662 °F), 20 psig (1.4 bar), 20 sec dwell
      peel: between coated sides; printed as minimum 700 g/in (2.7 N/cm)
    method: Minimum value stated in the Heat Seal Strength section of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletin
    status: ground
    source: qnity-bulletin
    where: Properties of Kapton FN Polyimide Film, Heat Seal Strength, Film-to-Film Seals
  - benchmark: heat_seal_peel_strength
    label: Minimum seal peel strength, 120FN616
    value: 450
    unit: g/in
    scope: material
    conditions:
      constructions: 120FN616 only
      seal: jaw sealer at 350 °C (662 °F), 20 psig (1.4 bar), 20 sec dwell
      peel: between coated sides; printed as minimum 450 g/in (1.7 N/cm)
    method: Minimum value stated in the Heat Seal Strength section of the Qnity Kapton FN specification bulletin
    status: ground
    source: qnity-bulletin
    where: Properties of Kapton FN Polyimide Film, Heat Seal Strength, Film-to-Film Seals
  - benchmark: ul_electrical_rti
    label: UL electrical relative thermal index, Kapton FN series
    value: 240
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: UL 746B
      series: Kapton FN series as printed on the product page; no grade named
    method: Series-level value printed on the Qnity product page
    status: ground
    source: qnity-page
    where: Series-level properties table, UL Electrical RTI row
  - benchmark: ul_mechanical_rti
    label: UL mechanical strength relative thermal index, Kapton FN series
    value: 200
    unit: °C
    scope: material
    conditions:
      standard: UL 746B
      series: Kapton FN series as printed on the product page; no grade named
    method: Series-level value printed on the Qnity product page
    status: ground
    source: qnity-page
    where: Series-level properties table, UL Mechanical Strength RTI row
  - benchmark: polyimide_content
    label: Polyimide content, 120FN616
    value: 80
    unit: wt%
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 120FN616
      fep_wt_percent: 20
      construction: 25.4 µm Kapton HN base with 2.54 µm FEP on each side (Table 16)
    method: Value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Polyimide, wt% row; Table 16 (Type FN Film Constructions)
  - benchmark: polyimide_content
    label: Polyimide content, 150FN019
    value: 57
    unit: wt%
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 150FN019
      fep_wt_percent: 43
      construction: 25.4 µm Kapton HN base with 12.7 µm FEP on one side (Table 16)
    method: Value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Polyimide, wt% row; Table 16
  - benchmark: polyimide_content
    label: Polyimide content, 250FN029
    value: 73
    unit: wt%
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: 250FN029
      fep_wt_percent: 27
      construction: 50.8 µm Kapton HN base with 12.7 µm FEP on one side (Table 16)
    method: Value printed in Table 4 of the Qnity Kapton summary of properties
    status: ground
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 4, Polyimide, wt% row; Table 16
corrosion:
  - environment: Humid air, 23 °C, 50% and 98% relative humidity
    headline: FN film took up 1.3% water at 50% RH and 2.5% at 98% RH for 120FN616.
    effect: 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.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: printed moisture-absorption figures; no corrosion or humidity-ageing test printed for FN
      temperature: 23 °C (73 °F)
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Table 11 (Chemical Properties of Kapton Type FN Film); Kapton FN description
  - environment: Ultraviolet light, oxygen and water in Earth's atmosphere
    headline: Kapton loses elongation when UV, oxygen and water act together in air; FN was not tested separately in the summary.
    effect: 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.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: statement about Kapton polyimide film in the summary's radiation section; no FN-specific test printed
      exposure: Florida test panels and Atlas Weatherometer exposure (figures only)
    source: qnity-summary
    where: Radiation Resistance section, UV paragraph and Figures 23 and 24
  - environment: Heat ageing in air at 400 °C
    headline: Qnity's routine test ages the film at 400 °C for 2 hours and requires at least 10% elongation afterward.
    effect: 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.
    rating: unknown
    conditions:
      basis: routine manufacturing test as described in the bulletin; FN not named as a separate result
      temperature: 400 °C ±2 °C (752 °F ±3.6 °F)
      duration: 2 hr
    source: qnity-bulletin
    where: Thermal Durability section
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: 'DuPont article information sheet for Kapton HN and related films (version 2.2, revision date 11/30/2016): it lists no hazard classification or hazard statements and calls the product an article. It names no FN product, so it is the nearest hazard data for the HN base film.'
      ghs: []
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Hazards identification and product information sections
    - text: The same sheet says the film does not readily burn or support combustion, is self-extinguishing, and will burn and char in 100% oxygen but does not burn in air. Thick films have sharp edges that can cause cuts.
      ghs: []
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Firefighting measures and Handling and storage sections
    - text: The same sheet lists temperature above 400 °C (752 °F) as a condition to avoid, with carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides (NOx) as hazardous decomposition products.
      ghs: []
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Stability and reactivity, under Hazards identification
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Overheating above 400 °C
      trigger: Temperature above 400 °C (752 °F)
      consequence: 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.
      severity: moderate
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Stability and reactivity, under Hazards identification
    - mode: Loss of elongation under UV, oxygen and water
      trigger: Direct exposure to some combinations of ultraviolet radiation, oxygen and water in the atmosphere
      consequence: Loss of elongation, shown in Florida panel and Atlas Weatherometer tests. The summary gives the results as figures only.
      severity: moderate
      source: qnity-summary
      where: Radiation Resistance section, UV paragraph
  side_effects:
    - text: Processing and unwrapping the film can generate static charge.
      affects: Handling and the equipment that feeds the film
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Firefighting measures section
  handling:
    - text: Store in a dry place at 20 - 30 °C, as the article information sheet advises for the HN film.
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Handling and storage section
    - text: Avoid breathing dust, take action to avoid static electricity discharge, and handle thick films with care because their edges can cut.
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Advice on safe handling, under Handling and storage
    - text: Keep away from strong acids and strong oxidizers, which the sheet lists as incompatible.
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Stability and reactivity, Incompatibility
  mitigations:
    - text: 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.
      source: dupont-ais
      where: Exposure controls and personal protection section
uses:
  - application: electronics-and-chips
    device: Heater circuits, tubing, heat-sealable bags and electrical insulation
    example: Qnity's product page lists heater circuits, tubing, heat-sealable bags, automotive diaphragms and manifolds, and electrical insulation as applications of Kapton FN. No aerospace application is named on the page.
    source: qnity-page
    where: Applications section of the product page
  - application: thermal-control
    device: Aluminized Kapton polyimide multilayer insulation (MLI) on a space experiment tray
    example: A NASA report on Space Station WP-2 blankets describes aluminized Kapton polyimide MLI 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, so it does not show flight use of FN.
    source: smith1994
    where: Results of LDEF Space Exposure and WP-2 blanket requirements sections
supply:
  - subject: Polyimide film (Kapton)
    abundance: Monomer feedstock abundance was not found in any source read for this profile.
    producers:
      - name: DuPont
        note: Kapton was invented by DuPont in the 1960s (Wikipedia, Kapton)
        country: not stated in source
      - name: Qnity Electronics
        note: As of November 2025, Kapton is manufactured by Qnity Electronics, a spinoff of DuPont (Wikipedia, Kapton)
        country: not stated in source
        year: 2025
    critical_lists: []
    recycling: Not sourced.
    substitutes: []
    source: wiki-kapton
    where: Manufacturers paragraph
media: []
documents:
  - title: 'Qnity Electronics product page: Kapton FN polyimide film'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.qnityelectronics.com/products/kapton-fn-polyimide-film
    year: 2026
  - title: Qnity Kapton polyimide film specification bulletin (Kapton HN, FN and HPP-ST; Tables 1 to 6), undated PDF
    type: datasheet
    url: https://ekce-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/599767bd7af84d92827184ea3728c2b3?v=5670ee5b
    year: 2026
  - title: Qnity Kapton summary of properties (Types HN, FN and HPP-ST; Tables 4, 8, 11 and 16), undated PDF
    type: datasheet
    url: https://ekce-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/810b258c62404e42855984f345fdf8d7?v=a2916962
    year: 2026
  - title: 'DuPont article information sheet: Kapton FPC, HN, HPP-ST, PST, VN, V, GS (0.3 - 2 mil), version 2.2'
    type: sds
    url: https://www.boedeker.com/Portals/0/Safety%20Data%20Sheets%20SDS/Kapton-Film-Dupont-Safety-Data-Sheet-SDS-11-30-2016.PDF
    year: 2016
  - title: 'NASA: Space Station WP-2 Application of LDEF MLI Results (NTRS 19940026511)'
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19940026511
    year: 1994
gaps:
  - No flight, space-exposure, atomic-oxygen or vacuum result for an FN grade was found. The only space source (NASA WP-2 paper) names no Kapton grade and no FEP coating, so FN flight heritage is not shown.
  - Density is printed twice for each grade with different values (summary 1.53, 1.67 and 1.57 g/cc; product page 1.50, 1.70 and 1.60 g/cc). Both are recorded and neither is picked as correct.
  - The bulletin's Table 2 and Table 3 mechanical, thermal and electrical values (including dielectric constant, dissipation factor, volume resistivity and moisture absorption) are printed for Kapton HN base film, not for FN constructions, so they are not recorded here as FN values.
  - Volume resistivity for FN (summary Table 8) is printed with exponents (1.4 ×1017 and similar). It is left out because the exponent does not print cleanly.
  - Chemical resistance is printed only for Kapton HN (summary Table 10) and for three FN constructions in Table 11 that show moisture data, not solvent or acid resistance. No FN chemical-resistance result was recorded.
  - The UV and radiation results are shown as bar graphs or figures (Figures 23 and 24 and the radiation tables). No FN number was taken from a graph.
  - The UL RTI values come from the product page as single series values. The bulletin prints ranges of 200 to 220 °C (mechanical) and 220 to 240 °C (electrical), depending on gauge and type; the ranges are not recorded as separate rows.
  - The article information sheet covers Kapton HN and related films but does not name FN. No SDS or PubChem GHS record for Kapton FN was found, so hazard entries rest on the HN sheet and the FN summary.
  - 'Supply data are thin: Wikipedia names the manufacturers without countries or volumes, and no production share, feedstock abundance or critical-mineral list for polyimide film was found in the sources read.'
  - Web search was not available during this run, so producer and space-flight sources beyond the pages listed were not checked.
sources:
  qnity-page:
    title: Kapton FN polyimide film (Qnity Electronics product page, grade and series property tables)
    id: Qnity Electronics product page
    url: https://www.qnityelectronics.com/products/kapton-fn-polyimide-film
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer web page, linked not reproduced
  qnity-bulletin:
    title: Kapton polyimide film specifications bulletin (Qnity; Kapton HN, FN and HPP-ST; Tables 1 to 6)
    id: Qnity Kapton specification bulletin (undated PDF)
    url: https://ekce-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/599767bd7af84d92827184ea3728c2b3?v=5670ee5b
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer document, linked not reproduced
  qnity-summary:
    title: Kapton summary of properties (Qnity; Types HN, FN and HPP-ST; Tables 4, 8, 11 and 16)
    id: Qnity Kapton summary of properties (undated PDF)
    url: https://ekce-p-001.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/810b258c62404e42855984f345fdf8d7?v=a2916962
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer document, linked not reproduced
  dupont-ais:
    title: 'Article Information Sheet: DuPont Kapton FPC; HN; HPP-ST; PST; VN; V; GS (0.3 - 2 mil)'
    id: Version 2.2, revision date 11/30/2016, Ref. 150000003827
    url: https://www.boedeker.com/Portals/0/Safety%20Data%20Sheets%20SDS/Kapton-Film-Dupont-Safety-Data-Sheet-SDS-11-30-2016.PDF
    year: 2016
    kind: datasheet
    license: manufacturer document, linked not reproduced
  smith1994:
    title: Space Station WP-2 Application of LDEF MLI Results
    id: NTRS 19940026511
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19940026511
    year: 1994
    kind: report
    license: NASA NTRS document, linked not reproduced
  wiki-kapton:
    title: Wikipedia, Kapton (manufacturers and monomers)
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapton
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA (Wikipedia)
  wiki-polyimide:
    title: Wikipedia, Polyimide (polymer class, thermal stability, use in spacecraft MLI)
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyimide
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA (Wikipedia)
  wiki-fep:
    title: Wikipedia, Fluorinated ethylene propylene (copolymer definition)
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorinated_ethylene_propylene
    kind: web
    license: CC BY-SA (Wikipedia)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-11-01'
review:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 41
  unreachable: 0
  caveats: 4
  note: 'Written by an AI assistant on 2026-11-01. Values were read from text extracted from the Qnity specification bulletin and summary of properties PDFs and from the Qnity product page. Caveats: density is printed with different values in two Qnity sources; FN dielectric and moisture values are typical; UL RTI values are series-level; no FN space-flight data were found.'
story:
  recipe:
    line: 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.
    parts:
      - name: Kapton HN polyimide film
        share_note: 80 wt% in 120FN616, 57 wt% in 150FN019, 73 wt% in 250FN029 (summary, Table 4)
        role: The base film. It carries the polyimide's thermal, mechanical and electrical properties.
      - name: FEP fluorocarbon resin
        share_note: 20 wt% in 120FN616, 43 wt% in 150FN019, 27 wt% in 250FN029 (summary, Table 4)
        role: The heat-sealable layer on one or both sides. The summary says it adds heat sealability, a moisture barrier and better chemical resistance.
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      level: 1
      verdict: No hazard classification listed; watch cuts and static
      lead: 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.
      points:
        - label: The film
          line: 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.
        - label: Fire
          line: 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.
        - label: Static
          line: Processing and unwrapping can generate static charge, so the sheet advises taking action to avoid static discharge.
    - title: If it overheats or ages
      lead: 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.
      points:
        - label: Heat
          line: 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.
        - label: Sunlight and air
          line: In the summary's test panels, Kapton lost elongation when ultraviolet light, oxygen and water acted together. The results are shown only as figures.
    - title: Handling and storage
      points:
        - label: Storage
          line: Keep the film dry at 20 - 30 °C, away from strong acids and strong oxidizers.
        - label: Protection
          line: Wear safety glasses with side shields and impervious gloves. A dust respirator is needed only where airborne exposure could exceed limits.
  why: 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.
  uses:
    - where: Heater circuits, tubing and electrical insulation
      line: 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.
    - where: Space thermal blankets (Kapton, grade not stated)
      line: 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.
  can_do:
    - label: Strength
      value: 207 MPa
      line: 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).
    - label: Insulation
      value: 272 V/µm
      line: 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.
    - label: Heat sealing
      value: 700 g/in
      line: 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).
    - label: Moisture
      value: 2.5% at 98% RH
      line: 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.
    - label: Thermal index
      value: 240 °C electrical
      line: 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.
  compare: 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.
  compare_rows:
    - label: Density (summary values)
      benchmark: density
    - label: Tensile strength at 23 °C
      benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
    - label: Dielectric strength
      benchmark: dielectric_strength
  handling:
    - Store in a dry place at 20 to 30 °C, away from strong acids and strong oxidizers.
    - Avoid breathing dust and take action against static discharge when unwrapping the film.
    - Thick films have sharp edges. Wear safety glasses with side shields and impervious gloves.
    - Keep the film below 400 °C, above which the sheet lists carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides as decomposition products.
  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:
    - 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.
  verdict: 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.