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Kapton?
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From: Michael Baumann [SMTP:baumann-at-proton.llumc.edu]
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 1998 6:34 PM
To: Tesla List
Subject: Re: Kapton?
On Sat, 14 Mar 1998, Tesla List wrote:
>
> >
> > What the heck is "kapton" insulated wire? Is that the same as Teflon
> > (PTFE)?
I think the generic name is polyamide
> I'm sure someone else on the list will jump in with the dielectric
> constant and voltage ratings of Kapton. I just wanted to mention
> that this insulation has been extensively used throughout the
> aerospace industry to insulate the wiring in both aircraft and
> spacecraft. Unfortunately, it has been shown to fail in a
> catastrophic mode. Once the thin insulation has been compromised due
> to a nick or excessive flexing, and an arc is created, the insulation
> vaporizes, contributing to even more arcing. In a mater of seconds
> the arc can travel down between adjacent wires, causing a tremendous
> amount of spreading electrical failure. Several aircraft crashes and
> loss of life was directly traced to failure of Kapton insulated wire.
> I have enough shorts between my adjacent wires in my coils without
> compounding the failures with Kapton wire failing in catastrophic
* mode, thank you!
*
The catch is that you need to nick, or flex it.
We use it heavily in our accelerator - more for the very nice
low outgassing, than for any other reason
[Although it has some pretty good numbers for standoff.
--
Michael Baumann Optivus Technology Inc.|Loma Linda University Medical Center
San Bernardino, California. (909)799-8308 |Internet: baumann-at-llumc.edu