Kapton Tape
Contents
Description
Kapton Tape also known as Polyimide Tape is an electrically insulating heat resistant tape that has many uses for Reprap. See here a picture of the Casainho extruder using Kapton tape he bought on DealExtreme.
Uses: 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. Kapton can also be used to tape the temperature sensor to the printhead/extruder.
Uses: 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 80-130C). Also the Kapton should be free of grease, graese can be removed with Acetone or propane torch (!!test your Kapton for fire resistance!!)(North90ty).
Fake Kapton
Real Kapton is expensive, 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. Test the heat resistance of your tape before using it! testing can be done in an oven or with a soldering iron.
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 before using it, mine won't burn (North90ty).
Suppliers
- DealExtreme kapton adhesive tape of 24 millimeters x 33 meters by $4.20 (including shipping to worldwide) and DealExtreme kapton adhesive tape of 10 millimeters (x 33 meters ??) by $2.88 (including shipping to worldwide). If you choose for the "add live shipment tracking # to this order (+ $1.70)" your item will arrive more quickly and you will be able to track it online; WARNING: Some of the tape from this company is fake. It cannot handle the temperatures needed for the RepRap project.
- McMaster.com
- Makerbot.com
- BestOfferBuy.com
- TheMaskingShop.co.uk
- KaptonTape.com
- Mendel-parts.com
