Kapton® B Black Homogeneous Opaque Polyimide Film
Kapton® B is a black, homogeneous, opaque polyimide film exhibiting an excellent balance of physical, chemical, and electrical properties over a wide temperature range, with tensile strength of 35–38 kpsi (241–262 MPa) and shrinkage of less than 0.1% MD and TD at 200°C across all gauges. The homogeneous matte black pigmentation provides better color integrity against flexural cracking or abrasion than black coatings or dyes. Available in five gauges from 0.5 to 5.0 mil.
Key Properties
- Tensile Strength: 50B: 38 kpsi (262 MPa); 100–300B: 35–37 kpsi (241–255 MPa); 500B: 35 kpsi (241 MPa) — ASTM D-882-91
- Elongation: 50–100B: 65%; 200B: 80%; 300–500B: 90% — ASTM D-882-91
- Dielectric Strength: 50B: 2900 V/mil; 100B: 2800 V/mil; 200B: 2700 V/mil; 300B: 2200 V/mil; 500B: 1600 V/mil — ASTM D-149-94
- Shrinkage (MD and TD @ 200°C): <0.1%, all gauges — IPC-TM-650
- Available Thickness Range: 0.5–5.0 mil (12.7–127 µm)
- Tensile Modulus: 50B: 450 kpsi (3100 MPa); 100–500B: 440 kpsi (3034 MPa) — ASTM D-882-91
We want to help!
Enter your information and we'll get you in touch with our knowledgable staff. We know how important to the right product for your project.
Request a Consultation
- Specifications
- Applications
- General Info
- FAQs
Physical Properties
| Property | 50B | 100B | 200B | 300B | 500B | Test Method |
| Thickness, mil (µm) | 0.5 (12.7) | 1.00 (25.4) | 2.00 (50.8) | 3.00 (76.2) | 5.00 (127) | — |
| Color | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black | — |
| Tensile Strength, kpsi (MPa) | 38 (262) | 35 (241) | 37 (255) | 37 (255) | 35 (241) | ASTM D-882-91 |
| Tensile Modulus, kpsi (MPa) | 450 (3100) | 440 (3034) | 440 (3034) | 440 (3034) | 440 (3034) | ASTM D-882-91 |
| Elongation, % | 65 | 65 | 80 | 90 | 90 | ASTM D-882-91 |
| Shrinkage, % (MD and TD @ 200°C) | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | IPC-TM-650 |
| Yield Factor, sq ft/lb (sgm/kg) | 275 (56.3) | 137 (28) | 68 (14) | 46 (9.3) | 27 (5.6) | — |
Electrical Properties
| Property | 50B | 100B | 200B | 300B | 500B | Test Method |
| Dielectric Strength, V/mil | 2900 | 2800 | 2700 | 2200 | 1600 | ASTM D-149-94 |
- Flexible heater constructions where a black, low-reflectivity substrate is required for aesthetic or functional reasons
- Antenna and LED circuitry where opacity and homogeneous color stability through flexing are required
- Stiffeners in flexible circuit assemblies requiring a black polyimide with high dimensional stability
- Laser-ablated flexible circuit features where the black polyimide surface provides process contrast or selective ablation capability
- Applications requiring opacity and low reflectivity in polyimide film without a surface coating or dye that would delaminate under abrasion
Common industries: flexible circuit manufacturing, LED lighting, consumer electronics, antenna and sensor manufacturing, industrial instrumentation.
Kapton® B is the opaque black grade of the Kapton® polyimide film family, developed for applications where the standard amber/golden appearance of conventional polyimide film is aesthetically unacceptable or where opacity, low reflectivity, or UV-blocking characteristics are functionally required.
The black color is achieved through homogeneous pigmentation throughout the film thickness — not through a surface coating or dye — which means the color does not delaminate, crack off, or wear away under repeated flexing or abrasion.
This is a meaningful advantage over black-coated alternatives in applications such as flexible antenna circuits and LED circuitry where the film undergoes bending cycles in service, and stiffeners where surface abrasion during assembly is a concern.
Mechanically and electrically, Kapton® B retains the characteristic polyimide film properties: dimensional stability under thermal exposure (less than 0.1% shrinkage MD and TD at 200°C), tensile strength of 35–38 kpsi across all gauges, and modulus of 440–450 kpsi. Dielectric strength decreases with gauge in the expected manner for polyimide film, from 2900 V/mil at 0.5 mil to 1600 V/mil at 5.0 mil. The film is laser-ablatable, a key feature for selective material removal in flex circuit processing and sensor fabrication.
What differentiates Kapton® B from standard Kapton® HN in a black color?
Kapton® B achieves its color through homogeneous pigmentation throughout the entire film thickness — not from a surface coating or dye applied to standard HN. As a result, the color does not crack, peel, or delaminate through repeated flexing or surface abrasion, which is a critical limitation of black-coated or black-dyed polyimide alternatives. Electrically, Kapton® B's dielectric strength (1600–2900 V/mil depending on gauge) is somewhat lower than HN, which should be evaluated against application requirements.
Why does tensile strength matter for black polyimide film selection?
In flex circuit and stiffener applications, tensile strength determines whether the film withstands the mechanical stresses of die-cutting, bending, and in-service flexing without tearing or cracking. Kapton® B maintains 35–38 kpsi (241–262 MPa) across all gauges, ensuring processability and mechanical durability consistent with standard Kapton® polyimide films.
What is the thermal dimensional stability of Kapton® B?
Shrinkage is less than 0.1% in both MD and TD at 200°C across all gauges per IPC-TM-650, indicating excellent dimensional stability under elevated temperature exposures common in lamination and assembly operations.
Is Kapton® B suitable for regulated environments?
No compliance certifications are specified on the H-O Products TDS for Kapton® B. Contact H-O Products for additional compliance information.
How should Kapton® B be specified?
Specify grade (Kapton® B), thickness in mil or µm (50B, 100B, 200B, 300B, or 500B designation), compliance requirements, dimensional tolerances, and finished format (slit roll, sheet, die-cut, or laser-ablated component).
