Standard Etched-Foil PI Heater

Standard Etched-Foil PI Heater Features

Standard Etched-Foil PI Heater is an ultra-thin flexible heating element made with etched Ni-Cr foil encapsulated between two layers of polyimide film. Its lightweight construction provides fast thermal response and allows the heater to conform closely to flat or curved surfaces.

The standard version uses a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) backing for convenient installation. A no-adhesive version is also available for mechanical mounting or customer-specified bonding methods. Stock sizes are available in 12V and 24V configurations, while custom voltage, wattage, dimensions, shapes, lead configurations and temperature sensors can be produced for OEM applications.

For more information about how polyimide heating works, see our guide to what a PI heater is. If you are comparing flexible heating technologies, our PI heater vs silicone rubber heater comparison can help you select the right solution.

• Ultra-thin polyimide film construction
• Etched Ni-Cr foil heating element for uniform heating
• Fast thermal response and low thermal mass
• Flexible construction for flat and curved surfaces
• Standard PSA pressure-sensitive adhesive backing
• No-adhesive version available for custom installation
• Rectangle, square and round configurations available
• K-type and J-type thermocouple options available
• Standard 300 mm PTFE high-temperature lead wire
• Custom voltage, wattage, dimensions and shapes available

PI Heater Technical Specifications

Stock PI Heater Sizes

The following polyimide film heaters are available as standard stock configurations. The standard stock version uses 24V power, PSA adhesive backing and a 300 mm lead wire unless otherwise specified.

PI Heater Installation Options

The standard version uses a PSA pressure-sensitive adhesive backing for direct attachment to a clean and smooth heating surface. The heater should be installed with good surface contact to improve heat transfer and avoid localized overheating.

• PSA self-adhesive installation – standard configuration for convenient surface mounting.
• Mechanical mounting – mounting holes or clamping arrangements can be added according to the application.
• Customer-supplied thermal adhesive – available when a different bonding method is required.
• No-adhesive version – suitable for customer-specific bonding or mechanical installation.

The standard PSA is pressure-sensitive adhesive. Built-in thermal adhesive is not supported for this standard series.

Temperature Sensor Options

Temperature sensing can be integrated when the heating element needs direct temperature feedback.

• K-type thermocouple – available
• J-type thermocouple – available
• PT100 – special custom order only
• NTC / Thermistor – not available for the standard stock model
• Thermal fuse / thermal switch – not built in

K-type and J-type thermocouples can be added to custom configurations. PT100 and NTC solutions require a fully customized project.

Lead Wire and Connector Options

• Lead wire: PTFE high-temperature wire
• Standard lead length: 300 mm
• Wire gauge: AWG24
• Standard lead exit: Axial side exit
• Standard connection: Bare wire terminals
• JST, Molex and other connectors available for custom production
• Lead position and length can be customized

Flexible Polyimide Heater Applications

The thin and flexible construction makes this heating element suitable for compact equipment and surfaces where conventional rigid heaters are difficult to install.

• 3D-printer hot-bed plate heating
• Lithium-ion battery pack pre-heating
• PCB and LCD module temperature maintenance
• Optical lens and optical component heating
• Miniature sensor anti-condensation heating
• Medical analyzer and reagent cell heating
• Instrument and electrical cabinet internal heating
• Small laboratory test plate heating
• Camera module low-temperature preheating

Vacuum and semiconductor zero-outgassing applications require a special no-adhesive custom design and are not part of the standard stock series.

Custom PI Heater Options

We manufacture custom polyimide heating elements according to customer drawings, samples and application requirements.

• Custom heater dimensions
• Rectangle, square, round and long-strip shapes
• Ring / annular configurations
• Irregular shapes and custom cut-outs
• Custom mounting holes
• Custom voltage and wattage
• Custom watt density
• Custom lead length and lead exit position
• Custom connector or terminal
• K-type or J-type thermocouple integration
• PSA adhesive or no-adhesive configuration

The film thickness is fixed at 0.15 mm without adhesive or approximately 0.25 mm with PSA adhesive. Thickness is not a standard customization option.

Non-stock shapes, cut-outs and PT100 or NTC sensor configurations require a full custom quotation.

Information Required for PI Heater Quotation

For a faster quotation, please provide the following information:

1. Overall heater dimension, such as length × width or diameter
2. Working voltage and AC or DC requirement
3. Target wattage
4. Target working temperature
5. Actual heating-area size
6. Required lead-wire length
7. Sensor requirement: K-type / J-type / none
8. Adhesive option: PSA adhesive / no adhesive
9. Required quantity
10. Drawing for irregular shapes or custom cut-outs

Send your heater dimensions, voltage, wattage and application requirements to receive a suitable PI heater recommendation and quotation.

Learn More About PI Heaters

Before selecting a configuration, you can learn more about what a PI heater is, including its structure, working principle and typical applications.

If you are deciding between flexible heating technologies, read our PI heater vs silicone rubber heater comparison to compare thickness, temperature range, flexibility and watt density.

For help selecting the correct size and electrical specification, see our PI heater selection guide covering voltage, wattage, size, temperature, mounting and sensor requirements.

Related Heating Products

If your application requires a different heating structure, you can also compare our other flexible and industrial heating solutions:

• Silicone Rubber Heater
  – flexible heating for larger surfaces and industrial equipment.
• Standard Cartridge Heater
  – compact cylindrical heating for drilled holes, molds and heating blocks.
• High-Density Cartridge Heater
  – higher watt-density heating for rapid heating applications.
• Miniature / Micro Cartridge Heater
  – compact cartridge heating for limited installation spaces.
• Cartridge Heater with Built-in Thermocouple
  – heating and temperature sensing integrated into one heater.

Request a PI Heater Quote

Need a stock size or a custom polyimide heater?
Contact our sales team for pricing, availability and OEM production.
Please send your required heater size, voltage, wattage, working temperature, lead length and sensor requirement.

Stock PI heater sizes available. Custom polyimide heating elements supported.