Kapton® HN General Purpose Polyimide Film
Kapton® HN is an all-polyimide film offering an excellent balance of physical, thermal, and electrical properties across a wide temperature range, with ultimate tensile strength of 33,500 psi (231 MPa) at 23°C consistent across all gauges. The film has been used successfully in applications from -269°C (-452°F) to 400°C (752°F). Kapton® HN can be laminated, metallized, punched, formed, or adhesive coated.
Key Properties
- Tensile Strength (all gauges, 23°C): 33,500 psi (231 MPa) — ASTM D-882
- Ultimate Elongation at 23°C: 65–82% (varies by gauge) — ASTM D-882
- Dielectric Strength: 154–315 V/µm / 3,900–8,000 V/mil (varies by gauge, 60 Hz) — ASTM D149
- Service Temperature Range: -269°C (-452°F) to 400°C (752°F)
- Available Thickness Range: 0.5–5 mil (12.7–125 µm)
- Density: 1.42 g/cc — ASTM D-1505
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- Specifications
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Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength at 23°C | 33,500 psi (231 MPa), all gauges | ASTM D-882 |
| Ultimate Tensile Strength at 200°C | 20,000 psi (138 MPa), all gauges | ASTM D-882 |
| Ultimate Elongation at 23°C | 0.5 mil: 65%; 1 mil: 72%; 2 mil: 72%; 3 mil: 78%; 5 mil: 82% | ASTM D-882 |
| Ultimate Elongation at 200°C | 0.5 mil: 68%; 1 mil: 83%; 2 mil: 83%; 3 mil: 83%; 5 mil: 83% | ASTM D-882 |
| Tensile Modulus at 23°C | 400,000 psi (2.76 GPa), all gauges | ASTM D-882 |
| Tensile Modulus at 200°C | 0.5 mil: 160,000 psi (1.10 GPa); 1–5 mil: 290,000 psi (2.0 GPa) | ASTM D-882 |
| Yield Point at 3% (23°C) | 69 MPa (10,000 psi), all gauges | ASTM D-882 |
| Yield Point at 3% (200°C) | 41 MPa (6,000 psi), all gauges | ASTM D-882 |
| Stress to Produce 5% Elongation (23°C) | 90 MPa (13,000 psi), all gauges | ASTM D-882 |
| Stress to Produce 5% Elongation (200°C) | 62 MPa (9,000 psi), all gauges | ASTM D-882 |
| Impact Strength at 23°C | 78 N·cm (0.58 ft·lb), all gauges | Qnity Pneumatic Impact Test |
| MIT Folding Endurance | 0.5 mil: >285,000; 1 mil: 285,000; 2 mil: 55,000; 3 mil: 6,000; 5 mil: 5,000 cycles | ASTM D-2176 |
| Tear Strength, propagating (Elmendorf) | 0.5 mil: NA; 1 mil: 0.07 N (0.02 lbf); 2 mil: 0.21 N (0.02 lbf); 3 mil: 0.38 N (0.02 lbf); 5 mil: 0.58 N (0.02 lbf) | ASTM D-1922 |
| Tear Strength, initial (Graves) | 0.5 mil: 3.5 N (1.6 lbf); 1 mil: 7.2 N (1.6 lbf); 2 mil: 16.3 N (1.6 lbf); 3 mil: 26.3 N (1.6 lbf); 5 mil: 46.9 N (1.6 lbf) | ASTM D-1004 |
| Density | 1.42 g/cc, all gauges | ASTM D-1505 |
| Coefficient of Friction, kinetic (film-to-film) | 0.48, all gauges | ASTM D-1894 |
| Coefficient of Friction, static (film-to-film) | 0.63, all gauges | ASTM D-1894 |
| Refractive Index (sodium D line) | 1.70, all gauges | ASTM D-542 |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.34, all gauges | Avg. three samples, elongated at 5, 7, 10% |
| Low Temperature Flex Life | Pass, all gauges | IPC-TM-650, Method 2.6.18 |
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Melting Point | None | ASTM E-794 |
| Thermal Coefficient of Linear Expansion | 20 ppm/°C (11 ppm/°F) | ASTM D-696; -14 to 38°C (7 to 100°F) |
| Coefficient of Thermal Conductivity | 0.20 W/m·K (4.8 x 10⁻⁴ cal/sec-cm-°C) | ASTM D5470; 296 K (23°C) |
| Specific Heat | 1.09 J/g·K (0.261 cal/g·°C) | Differential calorimetry |
| Heat Sealability | Not heat sealable | — |
| Solder Float | Pass | IPC-TM-650 Method 2.4.13A |
| Smoke Generation | Dm = <1 | NFPA-258; NBS smoke chamber |
| Shrinkage, 30 min at 150°C | 0.17% | IPC-TM-650 Method 2.2.4A; ASTM D-5214 |
| Shrinkage, 120 min at 400°C | 1.25% | IPC-TM-650 Method 2.2.4A; ASTM D-5214 |
| Limiting Oxygen Index | 37–45% | ASTM D-2863 |
| Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) | A second order transition occurs between 360°C (680°F) and 410°C (770°F), assumed to be Tg; different measurement techniques produce different results within this range | — |
Electrical Properties (at 23°C / 73°F, 50% RH)
| Property | Value | Test Method |
| Dielectric Strength | 0.5 mil: 315 V/µm (8,000 V/mil); 1 mil: 303 V/µm (7,700 V/mil); 2 mil: 240 V/µm (6,100 V/mil); 3 mil: 201 V/µm (5,100 V/mil); 5 mil: 154 V/µm (3,900 V/mil) | ASTM D149; 60 Hz, 1/4 in electrodes, 500 V/sec rise |
| Dielectric Constant | 0.5–2 mil: 3.4; 3–5 mil: 3.5 | ASTM D150; 1 kHz |
| Dissipation Factor | 0.5 mil: 0.0016; 1 mil: 0.0018; 2–3 mil: 0.0020; 5 mil: 0.0026 | ASTM D150; 1 kHz |
| Volume Resistivity | 0.5–2 mil: 1.5 x 10¹⁷ Ω·cm; 3 mil: 1.4 x 10¹⁷ Ω·cm; 5 mil: 1.0 x 10¹⁷ Ω·cm | ASTM D257 |
Thermal Coefficient of Expansion — 25 µm (1 mil), Thermally Exposed
| Temperature Range, °C (°F) | ppm/°C | Test Method |
| 30–100 (86–212) | 17 | — |
| 100–200 (212–392) | 32 | — |
| 200–300 (392–572) | 40 | — |
| 300–400 (572–752) | 44 | — |
| 30–400 (86–752) | 34 | — |
Compliance
- ASTM D-5213 (Type 1, Item A) — Compliant
- Electrical insulation in electronic assemblies requiring stable performance from cryogenic to high temperatures
- Pressure sensitive tape backing and carrier film for demanding thermal environments
- Insulation blankets, wraps, and formed tubing for aerospace and industrial systems
- Substrate for metallized, laminated, and adhesive-coated flexible constructions
- Automotive sensor, diaphragm, and manifold insulation components
Common industries: electronics, aerospace, automotive, electrical equipment manufacturing.
Kapton® HN is the flagship general-purpose grade in the Kapton® polyimide film family, designed to deliver a reliable and consistent combination of mechanical strength, dielectric performance, and thermal durability across an exceptionally wide operating range. Its all-polyimide composition means there is no melting point, and the film retains usable properties at both cryogenic and elevated temperatures that would degrade most other polymer film materials.
The film passes low-temperature flex testing per IPC-TM-650 Method 2.6.18, passes solder float per IPC-TM-650 Method 2.4.13A, and generates minimal smoke (Dm = <1, NFPA-258).
Dimensional stability is a function of both the normal coefficient of thermal expansion (20 ppm/°C from -14 to 38°C) and residual manufacturing stresses; the film exhibits measurable shrinkage on first exposure to elevated temperatures (0.17% at 150°C, 1.25% at 400°C), after which the film’s thermal expansion behavior stabilizes to the values shown in the Thermal Coefficient of Expansion table.
A glass transition occurs in the 360–410°C range; different measurement techniques produce results across this range rather than a discrete value.
Compliant with ASTM D-5213 (Type 1, Item A).
What differentiates Kapton® HN from other polyimide film grades?
Kapton® HN is the standard general-purpose grade, offering a balanced combination of mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties across its full gauge range. It serves as the baseline film from which specialty grades — such as treated, coated, or thermally conductive variants — are derived. Its processability (laminatable, metallizable, punchable, formable, coatable) makes it the broadest-application option in the Kapton® family.
Why does tensile strength matter for polyimide film selection?
Tensile strength determines how well the film resists tearing or breaking under tension during processing, assembly, and end-use mechanical stress. Kapton® HN maintains 33,500 psi (231 MPa) across all gauges at room temperature and retains 20,000 psi (138 MPa) at 200°C — ensuring structural integrity in applications that cycle between ambient and elevated temperatures.
What is the service temperature range for Kapton® HN?
Kapton® HN has been used successfully in applications from -269°C (-452°F) to 400°C (752°F).
Is Kapton® HN suitable for regulated environments?
Kapton® HN is compliant with ASTM D-5213 (Type 1, Item A). No additional compliance certifications are specified on the H-O Products TDS for this material.
How should Kapton® HN be specified?
Specify grade (Kapton® HN), thickness in mil or µm, compliance requirements (ASTM D-5213 Type 1 Item A if required), dimensional tolerances, and finished format (slit roll, sheet, die-cut, or laminated construction).
