Flexible film heating element

A film heating element is a thin flexible heater that bonds directly to the surface needing warmth — substituting for cartridge heaters, ceramic heaters, or hot-air systems where space, response time, or uniform watt-density matters. The heating circuit is either an etched metal foil sandwiched between two polyimide films (KHEAT-PI) or a resistance wire encapsulated in silicone rubber (KHEAT-SP). Watt density is uniform across the trace pattern, so heat is generated exactly where you place the heater rather than from a single hot point.

Pick KHEAT-PI (polyimide etched-foil) for thin profile (0.1 – 0.5 mm), tight bend radii (down to 0.8 mm), fast thermal response, low thermal mass, and applications below 200 °C. Pick KHEAT-SP (silicone-rubber wire-wound) when you need higher watt density (up to 2.0 W/cm² vs 1.0 for PI), continuous service above 200 °C (up to 300 °C without PSA backing), higher voltage (up to 380 V AC), or rugged handling — KHEAT-SP is thicker (1 – 5 mm) and more abrasion-tolerant.

Both KHEAT-PI and KHEAT-SP can be supplied with a one-side pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing — peel the liner and apply, no curing required. With PSA, both heaters are rated to 200 °C continuous. Without PSA (mechanical clamping or external bonding), KHEAT-PI is rated to 200 °C and KHEAT-SP to 300 °C continuous. For permanent bonding to metals or composites, the PSA option is the simplest production workflow.

Both families cover a wide voltage range: KHEAT-PI from 1 V to 220 V AC or DC, KHEAT-SP from 1 V to 380 V AC or DC — pick the voltage that matches your control source. Watt density is application-engineered: KHEAT-PI delivers up to 1.0 W/cm² (recommended cruise 0.5 W/cm²), KHEAT-SP up to 2.0 W/cm² (recommended 1.0 W/cm²). Above the recommended density, expect a derating in service life. Resistance tolerance is typically ±10 % per heater.

Yes — both heater families are custom-cut to your CAD outline (rectangles, circles, complex polygons with holes for screws or wires). Lead-wire location, length, gauge, and termination (bare end, ring lug, JST connector) are configured per project. Built-in NTC or PT100 thermistors are available for closed-loop temperature control; specify mounting position relative to the heated zone. Minimum order quantity is application-dependent — contact engineering with a CAD file for a quote.

Cartridge heaters are point sources — they deliver high wattage in a small drilled hole and rely on the substrate to spread the heat. Ceramic plate heaters are flat but rigid and have a slow thermal response. Film heaters are flexible, conform to any surface (flat, cylindrical, curved), and apply uniform watt density across their full footprint — heat goes exactly where the heater is, with low thermal mass for fast warm-up. The trade-off: maximum operating temperature is lower than ceramic (200 – 300 °C vs 600+ °C), and watt density is bounded by the dielectric layer.