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Kapton® CRC Polyimide Film
Available Configurations
Properties common to all products in this list
| Thickness | Sides | Other Grades |
|---|---|---|
| 0.025 mm | 10 mm × 10 mm to 500 mm × 500 mm | HN, FPC, HPP-ST, MT, B, 200RS100 |
Need custom configurations? Please contact our Technical Solutions team.
Key Features
Kapton® CRC is DuPont's corona-resistant polyimide film, engineered to withstand the partial discharge conditions present in high-voltage AC motor and generator insulation systems — where standard Kapton® HN would undergo progressive dielectric degradation over time:
Significantly Higher Corona Resistance Than Standard Kapton® HN
Kapton® CRC is formulated specifically to resist partial discharge — the localised dielectric breakdown that occurs in high-voltage AC insulation systems operating above the corona inception voltage. Its corona resistance and voltage endurance are significantly higher than those of standard Kapton® HN, enabling insulation systems in inverter-fed motors and generators to sustain the high-frequency voltage spikes generated by pulse-width modulated (PWM) drive controllers without progressive dielectric degradation.
Higher Thermal Conductivity for Improved Heat Dissipation
Kapton® CRC provides greater thermal conductivity than standard Kapton® HN, allowing heat generated within motor windings and coil assemblies to dissipate more effectively through the insulation system. This reduces operating temperatures in the winding, extending insulation service life and improving the thermal efficiency of the motor or generator assembly — a key advantage in high-power-density traction and industrial drive applications.
High Dielectric Strength (up to 236 kV/mm at 25 µm)
The 25 µm (100CRC) grade achieves a typical dielectric strength of 236 kV/mm, combined with a dielectric constant of 3.4 at 1 kHz, a dissipation factor of 0.002, and a volume resistivity of >10¹⁶ Ω·cm. These values qualify Kapton® CRC as the primary insulation and turn-to-turn insulation in high-voltage motor and generator windings where short-circuit and dielectric integrity under sustained high-voltage stress is essential.
Full Kapton® Thermal Range and UL 94 V-0 Flame Rating
Kapton® CRC retains the full thermal stability of the Kapton® polyimide family — maintaining mechanical and dielectric performance from cryogenic temperatures up to continuous service at elevated temperatures, with a UL thermal index of 220–240 °C for electrical properties. Its UL 94 V-0 flammability rating ensures it will not melt, ignite, or propagate flame, meeting the fire safety requirements of motor and transformer insulation standards.
Thinner Insulation Enabling Higher Power Density
Kapton® CRC's combination of high dielectric strength and mechanical toughness allows thinner insulation wall thicknesses compared with conventional film-based or mica-based insulation systems. Thinner insulation conserves slot space for additional conductor material, increasing the copper fill factor and enabling more power output without increasing motor frame size — a critical advantage in traction motors, aerospace drives, and compact industrial machines.
Chemical Resistance and Compatibility with Motor Varnishes
Kapton® CRC resists most solvents, hydrocarbons, lubricants, and impregnating varnishes and resins used in motor manufacturing, making it compatible with vacuum pressure impregnation (VPI) processes and dip-and-bake varnish treatments. It is also suitable for lamination with DuPont™ Nomex® paper and mica-based insulation systems, allowing tailored composite insulation structures optimised for specific voltage class and thermal rating requirements.
Industrial Applications
Kapton® CRC is the insulation film of choice for high-voltage rotating machines and transformers operating in environments where partial discharge is a design constraint:
- ✦ AC Inverter-Duty Motors
- Applied as the primary turn-to-turn and ground wall insulation in motors driven by variable-frequency drives (VFDs) and pulse-width modulated (PWM) inverters, where the fast-switching voltage waveforms produce high-frequency spikes and sustained partial discharge activity that would cause accelerated degradation of standard polyimide or enamel insulation. Kapton® CRC's enhanced corona resistance enables inverter-duty motor designs to meet the service life requirements of continuous variable-speed operation.
- ✦ Rail & Automotive Traction Motors
- Used as the winding insulation in rail traction motors, locomotive drive systems, and high-performance electric vehicle drive units, where the combination of high DC bus voltages, high-frequency switching, and mechanical vibration imposes demanding requirements on the insulation system. Kapton® CRC provides the corona resistance, thermal conductivity, and mechanical toughness needed for long-term reliability in traction applications.
- ✦ Wind & Hydro Power Generators
- Specified as the coil, slot liner, and ground insulation in wind turbine generators and hydroelectric alternators, where high output voltages and the use of power-electronic converters create partial discharge conditions in the stator winding insulation. Kapton® CRC's voltage endurance performance enables insulation systems designed for the 20-year or greater service lives required by utility-scale power generation equipment.
- ✦ Industrial High-Voltage Transformers
- Used in the inter-winding and layer insulation of dry-type and resin-cast transformers for industrial power distribution, where the voltage class of the winding and the thermal cycling of the transformer demand an insulation film with both corona resistance and sustained dielectric integrity. Kapton® CRC is compatible with the resin impregnation systems and thermal ratings required for transformer insulation qualification.
- ✦ Magnet Wire Primary Insulation (as Kapton® FCRC)
- Kapton® CRC forms the polyimide core of the Kapton® 150FCRC019 heat-sealable composite film, which is applied as primary insulation on magnet wire for spiral-wound conductor constructions in traction motors and high-reliability aerospace and specialty wires. The heat-fusible FEP fluoropolymer coating on Kapton® FCRC enables bonded spiral-wrap insulation without separate adhesive systems, reducing process complexity in magnet wire manufacture.
- ✦ Aerospace Electrical Machines
- Applied in the winding insulation of aerospace starter-generators, actuator motors, and auxiliary power unit (APU) generators, where the more-electric aircraft architecture demands high power density at high bus voltages and the insulation system must meet the corona resistance, flame resistance, and service temperature requirements of aerospace qualification standards.
- ✦ Mining & Downhole ESP Motors
- Used as the winding insulation in electric submersible pump (ESP) motors for oil and gas production and in mining drive motors, where the combination of high operating voltages, elevated ambient temperatures, exposure to well fluids and lubricants, and continuous operation makes long insulation service life under partial discharge conditions a primary design requirement. Kapton® CRC's chemical resistance and corona endurance qualify it for these demanding downhole and mining environments.
Material Properties
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Acids - concentrated | Poor |
| Acids - dilute | Fair |
| Alcohols | Poor |
| Alkalis | Poor |
| Aromatic hydrocarbons | Good |
| Greases and Oils | Good |
| Halogenated Hydrocarbons | Good |
| Halogens | Fair |
| Ketones | Good |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Coefficient of friction | 0.42 |
| Hardness - Rockwell | E52-99 |
| Elongation at break( % ) | Aug-70 |
| Tensile modulus( GPa ) | 2.0 – 3.0 |
| Izod impact strength( J m⁻¹ ) | 80 |
| Tensile strength( MPa ) | 70-150 |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Dielectric constant @1MHz | 3.4 |
| Dissipation factor @ 1kHz | 0.0018 |
| Dielectric strength( kV mm⁻¹ ) | 154 – 303 |
| Surface resistivity( Ohm/sq ) | 10¹⁶ |
| Volume resistivity( Ohmcm ) | 10¹⁸ |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Flammability | V0 |
| Radiation resistance | Good |
| Refractive index | 1.66 |
| Resistance to Ultra-violet | Poor |
| Limiting oxygen index( % ) | 53 |
| Water absorption - over 24 hours( % ) | 0.2-2.9 |
| Density( gcm⁻³ ) | 1.42 |
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Heat-deflection temperature - 1.8MPa( C ) | 360 |
| Lower working temperature( C ) | -270 |
| Upper working temperature( C ) | 250-320 |
| Specific heat( J K⁻¹ kg⁻¹ ) | 1090 |
| Thermal conductivity( W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ ) | 0.1-0.35@23°C |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion( x10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ ) | 30-60 |
Tolerances
| Thickness | ±20% |
|---|