A flexible polyimide heater can go where other heating elements can’t, and they are more resistant to potential corrosive materials and give better temperature control than other heaters.
All Flex Solutions manufactures a wide range of flexible heater products that are crafted to meet the needs of various industries, from aerospace engineering to medical diagnostics. All Flex Solutions offers custom flexible heater applications to meet your needs.
Material Expertise: All Flex Heaters Designed for Your Specific Needs
We’ve been in the industry supplying custom and a la carte flexible polyimide heater solutions to businesses for many years. All Flex Solutions understands that you need a durable and reliable flexible heater that will work properly day in and day out. We have the know-how to create custom flexible heater solutions to solve your problems.
Our unique manufacturing process allows All Flex Solutions to accommodate heaters manufactured from multiple materials and material thicknesses. We work with a variety of foil types, adhesive applications, laminates, composites, and any other combination thereof that you might require.
Understanding Types of Flexible Heaters
All Flex Solutions’ flexible heater options fall within two standard categories. Each type of flexible heater has ideal applications and potential limitations. Because of this, it’s important to understand the differences and primary use cases for each.
Traditional Flexible Polyimide Heater
Standard or traditional flexible polyimide heaters offer several benefits and ideal use cases across various industries. They feature the thinnest possible profile, with their thinnest options falling between 0.0045 and 0.010 inches. These types of flexible polyimide heaters can operate as high as 105C, and they can reach higher temps for short periods when required.
A traditional flexible polyimide heater is excellent in applications featuring tight curvature. These flexible heaters can conform to a radius as tight as 0.25 inches. They also feature better thermal transfer when compared to silicone or rubber counterparts. In addition, flexible polyimide heaters do not emit oil residue and feature better chemical resistance to solvents. Due to their thin profile, they can also be installed later in the design process.
The best time to use a traditional flexible polyimide heater is when you require a low-profile fit or a tight wrap-around of an object with a tight bend. These flexible heaters are also the best for operating within a precise thermal range. Their lightweight and durable features make them ideal for solvent exposure and aerospace designs where every pound counts.
Learn more about our flexible polyimide heater options and their use cases.
High-Temperature Flexible Polyimide Heater
Our High-temperature flexible polyimide heater includes many of the same features as its traditional temperature counterpart. That said, some design changes were made to account for the significantly higher wattage and operating temperature ratings. All Flex Solutions’ high-temperature flexible heater products are rated for a heating range of up to 572F/300C.
The final build thickness is still in a similar range as the traditional flexible heater, between 0.0035 and 0.010 inches. Because of the unique operating temperatures of this product lineup, we’ve eliminated the adhesive layer as it can’t handle temperatures that high. Another benefit of this flexible heater format is that it’s available in lengths of 6 or more feet if required.
The appropriate time to choose a high-temperature flexible polyimide heater is when ambient temperatures are higher than normal or when the heater is required to add significant heat to a system. These heaters are typically found in downhole drilling, semiconductor processing, military, and medical diagnostic applications.
Learn more about our high-temperature flexible polyimide heater options and their use cases.
Termination Options for Flexible Heater Products
Our flexible heater products are available in various termination options, depending on their specific application.
Wires: Wires are one of the most common and simplest termination options. They are soldered or crimped to heating elements and can be customized for various needs.
ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) Connectors: ZIF connectors provide multiple advantages to standard wire connections. For example, ZIF connectors allow for easy connection and disconnection without the risk of damaging fragile conductors on flexible heaters.
Surface Mount Connectors: Surface mount connectors are mounted directly to the surface of flexible heaters. They are the go-to choice in applications where space is limited and a low profile is required. They can also work well in applications where the heater must be removed and reattached regularly.
Through-Hole Connectors: Through-hole connectors are also specially designed for specific purposes. Through-hole connectors insert leads through holes in the heater substrate and soldering them into place. This process forms a strong bond, and through-hole connectors are ideal in applications with a lot of vibration or mechanical stress.
Our Expertise is Your Advantage
With our long-standing and wide range of industry experience, you can trust us with your flexible heater needs. In addition to our standard flexible heater options, All Flex Solutions can create custom heater applications specifically designed for your needs.
Explore our stock flexible heater catalog or build a custom flexible heater for your specific application. If you have any questions about flexible heaters or custom orders, please contact us today. Our team of experts is ready to help you find the ideal flexible heating solution.
Contact All Flex Solutions
Contact All Flex Solutions to connect with a knowledgeable member of our team, or to request a quote for your project.