Product spotlight: the types of electrical insulation tape

Electrical insulation tapes are used to insulate materials that conduct electricity. They play a critical role in EIS (electrical insulation systems) for enhanced product safety and life span. 

There are a number of products available, with differing performance levels, such as their insulation resistance, dielectric breakdown and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.

Their backings can be plastic, paper or cloth and these can be coated with a silicone, acrylic or rubber adhesive, in varying thicknesses. Options are available to meet the differing strength and resistance requirements of a range of applications and environments. These applications might include:

• Harnessing
• Jacketing
• Bundling
• Splicing
• Identification – for visibility and inspection
• Terminating
• Corrosion protection
• Sealing

The characteristics required of your insulation tape will be determined by the application and other factors such as your substrates and environmental conditions. Products are available with varying features, which might include:

• Colour, adhesive and backing options
• Flexibility/conformability to irregular shapes and surfaces
• Resistance to ageing, weather, abrasion, flame, chemicals and corrosion
• Self extinguishing
• Performance in low and high temperatures
• RoHS compliance
• Industry specifications e.g. military, UL, CSA and IEC.

For cost savings and application effiiciencies, insulation tapes can be converted into non-standard slit roll widths and lengths, or custom shapes and liner presentations, designed to suit the end users application and processes.

The different types of electrical insulation tape

There are a wide variety of insulation tapes available. Below we offer a brief description of the products available.  Learn more by clicking on the links.

• Vinyl: flexible with high dielectric strength and excellent insulating properties and mechanical strength. 
• Polyimide: designed for high temperature applications requiring a thin, puncture resistant backing. 
• PTFE: thin and extremely resistant to chemicals. 
• Composite film: conformable with high dielectric strength and puncture resistance. 
• Acetate cloth: excellent conformability and absorption of electrical insulation resins and varnishes. 
• Glass cloth: high mechanical strength and resistance to high temperatures with excellent absorption of resins and varnishes. 
• Polyester: for insulating applications requiring thin and durable materials with high dielectric strength. 
• Epoxy: designed to require fewer wraps to meet dielectric requirements, compared to typical glass cloth tapes.
• Paper: provides good cushioning, puncture resistance and toughness. 
• Filament reinforced: low stretch, high tensile and edge-tear resistance for a more cost effective solution, compared with glass cloth tapes. 
• Antistatic: to prevent ESD damage to sensitive electronics components in manufacturing environments.
• Self amalgamating: self bonding rubber and silicone tapes which fuse to create a strong, waterproof and electrically insulating layer. 
• Non-adhesive: a range of materials, including the well known brands of Kapton®, Melinex® and Nomex® from DuPont.