It was found to have very poor resistance to mechanical wear, mainly abrasion within cable harnesses due to aircraft movement. Kapton insulation ages poorly: an FAA study shows degradation in hot, humid environments or in the presence of seawater. The thermal conductivity of Kapton at temperatures from 0.5 to 5 Kelvin is rather high for such low temperatures, κ = 4.638×10 −3 T 0.5678 W In isolation, Kapton remains stable across a wide range of temperatures, from 4 to 673 K (−269 to +400 ☌). Kapton E offers reduced coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), reduced moisture absorption, and reduced coefficient of hygroscopic expansion (CHE) compared to Kapton H. The BPDA component adds greater dimensional stability and flatness in flexible circuitry applications. Kapton E is a mix of two dianhydrides, PMDA and biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BPDA), and two diamines, ODA and p-phenylenediamine (PPD). It is produced from the condensation of pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and 4,4'-oxydiphenylamine (ODA). The chemical name for Kapton K and HN is poly (4,4'-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide). The ring closure is carried out at high temperatures of 470–570 K (200–300 ☌). The intermediate polymer, known as a poly(amic acid), is soluble because of strong hydrogen bonds to the polar solvents usually employed in the reaction. Kapton synthesis is an example of the use of a dianhydride in step polymerization. The name Kapton is a registered trademark of E. Kapton remains manufactured by DuPont to this day. Kapton was invented by DuPont in the 1960s. Its favorable thermal properties and outgassing characteristics result in its regular use in cryogenic applications and in situations where high vacuum environments are experienced.

Kapton is used in electronics manufacturing, space applications, with x-ray equipment, and in 3D printing applications. Invented by the DuPont Corporation in the 1960s, Kapton remains stable across a wide range of temperatures, from 4 to 673 K (−269 to +400 ☌). Kapton is a polyimide film used in flexible printed circuits ( flexible electronics) and space blankets, which are used on spacecraft, satellites, and various space instruments.

Structure of poly-oxydiphenylene-pyromellitimide Kapton insulating pads for mounting electronic parts on a heat sink In twenty years of usage I have never had a failure of the tape in the worst of conditions.Not to be confused with Captan. I use it to for electrical repairs on my indoor and outdoor Christmas lights on my low voltage outdoor yard lighting with underground wiring on automobile, truck, and ranch equipment wiring on irrigation equipment wiring and on electrical fencing. Since then it has been made available to consumers and I have been a big fan of Kapton tape. Apparently it was not available on the consumer market at that time and it had to be obtained from GSA. There were many references to Polyamide tape. This caused me to read tons of MIL-SPEC and MIL-STD documents.

We had to pass down to the sub-contractors a great many of the specifications from the Primary Contract Specificatios. My first task was writing specifications for sub-contractor contracts. I first became aware of Polyamide (Kapton) Tape when I retired from the Marine Corps and went into the Aerospace Industry, working for Litton Industries, Data Systems Division.

Kapton tape nearby