Kapton Tape
Kapton Tape, also known as Polyimide Tape, is an electrically insulating heat resistant tape that has many uses for Reprap:
- Insulation/fastening
Kapton tape is well suited for fastening heating elements. As such, it's the material of choice for fastening heating wire to the heater barrel of an extruder such as the Mendel extruder. For example, the Casainho extruder uses Kapton tape. Kapton can also be used to tape the temperature sensor to the printhead/extruder. - Print surface
Kapton tape is a good print surface for priting ABS on a Heated Bed. For ABS to stick to Kapton the Kapton needs to be hot (different sources mention minimum temperatures between 80-130 °C). Also the Kapton should be free of grease, grease can be removed with acetone or a propane torch. However, test your Kapton for fire resistance first! - Anti-friction
Peter is doing some research at using Kapton as a low-friction film, as an alternative to lubrication. See his blog post and about page.
Safety Risk
Polyimide has excellent heat resisting properties, however it has limits. In the event of excess temperature, even in very small areas such as caused by electrical sparks, the tape can burn fast enough to resemble a small explosion. Make sure everything is well insulated and secured!
Test your tape for fire resistance before using it. Testing can be done in an oven or with a soldering iron. I know mine won't burn (North90ty).
Fake Kapton
Real Kapton is expensive, and fake Kapton tape is offered on Ebay for less money. This fake tape might work well; I have a roll of tape labelled "Kapter" which works fine. However, test the heat resistance of your tape before using it!
The 6mm fake Kapton I purchased from Ebay I tried on a 45 watt soldering iron at full heat and the tape never smoked or melted but it did show some signs of stretching when I pulled it taut over the soldering iron tip. - Dark Alchemist
Vendors
These vendors currently provide tape suitable for Reprap projects:
Vendor (shipping location) | Product | Width | Length | Thickness | Heat resistance | Additional notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3D Acessories Hub(IN) | Kapton Tape | 15 mm | 33 m | ||||
3D Maker World (US) | 3M PET Tape 2in x 72yrd | 2 in (50.8 mm) | 72 yd (65.8 m) | 3.2 mil (2.0 mil polyester backing and 1.2 mil silicone adhesive) | 400°F (204°C) | ||
3D Maker World (US) | 3M PET Tape 4in x 72yrd | 4 in (101.6 mm) | 72 yd (65.8 m) | 3.2 mil (2.0 mil polyester backing and 1.2 mil silicone adhesive) | 400°F (204°C) | ||
3D Maker World (US) | Kapton Tape 6" x 100' | 6 in (152 mm) | 100 ft (30.5 m) | 2.2 mil (film thickness: 0.025mm, adhesive thickness: 0.030mm) | 536°F (280°C) | ||
3D Maker World (US) | Kapton Tape 12" x 100' | 12 in (305 mm) | 100 ft (30.5 m) | 2.2 mil (film thickness: 0.025mm, adhesive thickness: 0.030mm) | 536°F (280°C) | ||
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 10 mm | 33 m | 0.06mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 20 mm | 33 m | 0.06mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 50 mm | 33 m | 0.06mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 130 mm | 33 m | 0.06mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 220 mm | 33 m | 0.06mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 310 mm | 33 m | 0.06mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 10 mm | 33 m | 0.08mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 20 mm | 33 m | 0.08mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 50 mm | 33 m | 0.08mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 130 mm | 33 m | 0.08mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 220 mm | 33 m | 0.08mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3DPartistry (USA) | 3DPartistryKaptonTape | 310 mm | 33 m | 0.08mm | 260 °C | USA. High quality Kapton Tapes. Free shipping over 65$. Also has 3D Printing filaments. | |
3D Printer Czar(US & HK) | Kapton Tape | 15 mm | 33m | 280 °C | |||
3D Printing Center Israel (Israel) | Kapton Tape | 155,200 mm | 33m | 0.06mm | |||
BestOfferBuy (US) | Polyimide Tape | 8 mm | 33 m | 260 °C | |||
BestOfferBuy (US) | Polyimide Tape | 15 mm | 33 m | 260 °C | |||
Charlie's 3D Technologies (BE) | Kapton Tape | 200 mm | 33 m | 280 °C | |||
DealExtreme (HK) | Polyimide Heat Resistant Tape | 24 mm | 33 m | 260 °C | Might provide fake Kapton, see below. | ||
EckerTech (CA) | Kapton Tape sheet | 254 mm | 228 mm | 5 mil | |||
EckerTech (CA) | Kapton Tape sheet | 304 mm | 228 mm | 5 mil | |||
Filaments.ca (CA) | Kapton Tape Polyimide Tape | 20 mm | 33 m | 280 °C | Canadian. Also provides filaments, raw materials and other accessories. | ||
Filaments.ca (CA) | Kapton Tape Polyimide Tape | 130 mm | 33 m | 280 °C | Canadian. Also provides filaments, raw materials and other accessories. | ||
Filaments.ca (CA) | Kapton Tape Polyimide Tape | 220 mm | 33 m | 280 °C | Canadian. Also provides filaments, raw materials and other accessories. | ||
Filaments.ca (CA) | Kapton Tape Polyimide Tape | 310 mm | 33 m | 280 °C | Canadian. Also provides filaments, raw materials and other accessories. | ||
Filament Webshop | Kapton (also Aluminum Foil/PET/Mylar) Tapes | 24 mm (Aluminum Foil tape 60mm) | 330 mm | 260 °C | Also provides filament. | ||
KaptonTapeOnline.com (US) | Kapton Tape | 1-15 mm | 32 m | 1 mil | 260 °C | ||
KaptonTapeOnline.com (US) | Kapton Tape | 6-76 mm | 32 m | 2 mil | 260 °C | ||
KaptonTapeOnline.com (US) | Kapton Tape | 6-76 mm | 32 m | 5 mil | 260 °C | ||
Makemendel (IN) | Kapton Tape | 15 mm | 33 m | ||||
Makemendel (IN) | Kapton Tape | 50 mm | 33 m | ||||
MakerFarm (US) | SuperWide Kapton Tape | 120 mm | 33 m | ||||
Marketbot (US) | Kapton Tape | 6 mm | 32 m | 260 °C | |||
Marketbot (US) | Kapton Tape | 20 mm | 32 m | ||||
Marketbot (US) | SuperWide Kapton Tape | 120 mm | 22 m | ||||
McMaster (US) | Kapton Polyimide Tape | 6-150 mm | |||||
McMaster (US) | Kapton Polyimide Sheets | 305 mm | 305 mm | ||||
Mendel Parts (NL) | Kapton Tape | 50 mm | 33 m | ||||
Mendel Parts (NL) | Kapton Tape | 25 mm | 33 m | 400 °C | |||
Mendel Parts (NL) | Kapton Tape | 13 mm | 33 m | 400 °C | |||
Paoparts (FR) | Adhésif Polyimide | 50 mm | 33 m | 2 mil | |||
ProtoParadigm (US) | Polyimide Tape | 10 mm | 20 m | 1 mil | 260 °C | ||
ProtoParadigm (US) | Polyimide Tape | 20 mm | 20 m | 1 mil | 260 °C | ||
ProtoParadigm (US) | Polyimide Tape | 130 mm | 20 m | 1 mil | 260 °C | ||
ProtoParadigm (US) | Polyimide Tape | 220 mm | 20 m | 1 mil | 260 °C | ||
ProtoParadigm (US) | Polyimide Tape | 310 mm | 20 m | 1 mil | 260 °C | ||
ReprapUniverse.com (Netherlands) | Polyimide Heat Resistant Tape (PET) | 50 mm | 66 m | 80µm | 220°C / 428°F | High Quality PET Tape from tesa®. Ideal for ABS/PLA. Cheap International Shipping. | |
ReprapUniverse.com (Netherlands) | Kapton Tape | 8 mm | 33 m | 280°C / 536°F | High Quality Kapton Tape. Ideal for insulating HotEnd's like the J-Head Hotend. Cheap International Shipping. | ||
ReprapUniverse.com (Netherlands) | Kapton Tape | 50 mm | 33 m | 280°C / 536°F | High Quality Kapton Tape. Cheap International Shipping. | ||
RobotDigg (CN) | Kapton Tape | 100 mm | 30 m | 0.06mm | 260 °C | ||
The Masking Shop (UK) | Polyimide Tape | 3-250 mm | 33 m | ||||
Thingibox (ES) | Kapton Tape | 20 mm | 33 m | 400ºC | Dupont Kapton HN Tape | ||
RepRap-India.com (IN) | Kapton Tape | 12-50 mm | 33 m | 400 °C |
DealExtreme
People have claimed DealExtreme provides fake Kapton, or to not have received their product. This was taken from a previous edit, it's worth a second look per satisfied customers below.
That said, I have Deal-Extreme-Kapton and it withstands a soldering iron.
--Traumflug 10:32, 30 September 2011 (UTC)
Second that. I have nothing but good experience with the (4-5 rolls, different widths) "kapton" I've bought from dealextreme.
--Nudel 01:03, 1 October 2011 (UTC)
Dupont
Dupont makes several types of Kapton tape. The standard Kapton HN works up to 400 °C and has a coefficient of thermal conductivity of 0.12 W/mK.