3D Printing: Kapton® Tape Sheets

Since the 1960’s Kapton® has been a high performance material for applications in industries such as aircraft, spacecraft, and x-ray technology. Today Kapton® has transitioned into 3D Printing. The 3D printing world has found Kapton® to be a functional print surface for most 3D Printers. The most common filaments printed on Kapton® ® Tape include thermoplastic polymers such as ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and PLA (Polylactic Acid). A recurring problem with printing ABS filaments on non-Kapton® surfaces is that parts tend to shrink while they are cooled. Kapton® tapes hold prints firmly in place and retain heat to prevent filaments from cooling too fast. Allowing the filaments to be cooled at a steady pace enables the prints to be easily removed from the surface. Other Kapton® properties include superior dielectric strength, high temperature and chemical resistance; tear, puncture, and abrasion resistance- all qualities suited for a printing surface.

Kapton® is available with a pressure sensitive adhesive system on one or both sides. Single sided Kapton® tape w/ silicone adhesive is the most commonly purchased. Kapton® Tape is available in thicknesses: (.001”, .002”, .005”). Other versions of Kapton® tape include ESD (Electro-Static Dissipative with silicone adhesive) or Kapton® with acrylic adhesive. Kapton® tape can be used as a fastener for other printing components due to its heat resistance of 500°F (260°C).

*CS Hyde Company has capabilities to cut Kapton® to any specification, including specific 3D print bed requirements.

*CS Hyde Company can apply a variety of 3M adhesives customized to specific film size.