Apical Polyimide AF
APICAL® Type AF Polyimide Film is an FEP coated/laminated polyimide exhibiting an excellent balance of physical, electrical, moisture, and chemical resistance properties. APICAL® Type AF Polyimide Film maintains the unique balance of properties exhibited by APICAL® Polyimide AV Type within Kaneka’s polyimide films portfolio. Commercially available constructions are shown in the Grade Table. Other constructions are available upon request.
What Makes APICAL® AF Different
Standard polyimide films are widely used for their thermal stability and electrical properties; they also offer inherent heat sealing capability. APICAL® AF addresses this limitation by incorporating a fluoropolymer layer that enables bonding through heat and pressure.
This structure introduces thermoplastic polyimide-like behavior at the surface level. While the base film remains a high-performance polyimide, the FEP layer allows controlled melting and bonding. This makes APICAL® AF suitable for applications where sealing, lamination, or encapsulation is required without relying on additional adhesives.
The result is a material that combines the reliability of polyimide films with added processing flexibility.
Typical Applications
- Flexible Electronics and Circuits: Used in flexible printed circuits (FPC) and tape automated bonding (TAB), supporting reliable heat-sealed connections while maintaining the electrical insulation performance of polyimide films.
- Wire, Cable, and Motor Insulation: Applied in high-temperature insulation systems for motors, generators, and aerospace wiring, where sealed layers help improve durability and long-term performance.
- High-Performance Tapes and Laminates: Ideal for heat-resistant tapes and laminated insulation products, allowing consistent bonding without additional adhesives during manufacturing and application.
- Harsh Environment Applications: Suitable for environments with chemical exposure or moisture sensitivity, where stable material performance is required over extended use.
Apical® Polyimide AF – Grade Details
Thermal Properties and Heat Seal Strength of APICAL® Type AF Polyimide Film
Types AV, AF, and NP APICAL® Polyimide Film are listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. under their file number E135495 and also E48854. A thermal index of 240°C (464°F) for electrical properties (all types and gauges) and 200°C (392°F) to 220°C (428°F) for mechanical properties (depending upon the type and gauge) are listed.
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. lists flammability of UL94-VO for Types AV, AF, and NP APICAL® Polyimide Film.
Heat Seal Strength of APICAL® Type AF Polyimide Film
The Film-to-Film heat seal strength between AF type Films (coated side to coated side or uncoated side depending upon type) is measured in the following manner:
Seals are made in a jaw sealer at 350ºC [662F], 40 psi, 20 sec dwell time. After cooling, the seals are cut to 1″ (25.4mm) wide strips. The strength of the seal is measured with an Instron-type tensile tester. Seal strength is defined as peak reading for each seal and five specimen values are averaged.
Minimum heat seal strengths shall be:
- 450 g/in (1.7 N/cm) between uncoated side and coated side or both coated sides.
- The bond strength between FEP and Polyimide Film on all Type AF Films (except 120AF616) shall have a minimum value of 200 g/in (0.77 N/cm) as measured using an Instron-type tensile tester.
More Information
Quality
Industries who depend upon APICAL® Polyimide Film benefit not only from a carefully designed product, but from the process behind it as well. Unlike many film manufacturers, APICAL® Polyimide process technology is driven by quality not speed.
Performance
In spite of being lighter in weight than many of the materials it has replaced, the overall performance of APICAL® Polyimide surpasses them. Its high degree of dimensional stability allows it to be wrapped tightly for applications where space is a premium. It is tough, highly resistant to tearing, abrasion and puncture.
Technical Data
APICAL® Polyimide Films possess an excellent balance of physical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties over a wide range of temperatures for flexible printed circuits, tape automated bonding, motor generator insulation, wire and cable insulation, pressure sensitive tape and other uses across advanced polyimide films applications.
Seal Performance. Simplify Your Process.
Take the next step with APICAL® Type AF Polyimide Film and bring heat sealing and high-performance insulation into one material solution. Whether you are refining an existing design or starting a new application, our team can support your requirements with the right construction. Request grade details, discuss custom options, or connect with us to move your project forward.
Ask The Engineers
Here’s your chance to ask Kaneka Engineers questions about APICAL® Polyimide Film and its applications. Use it as an open exchange of ideas and questions about polyimide applications, challenges, and innovations.