HOSTAPHAN™ PET film

Definition

HOSTAPHAN™ is the trademarked family of biaxially oriented, heat‑set polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET, PET) films produced by Mitsubishi Polyester Film (originally developed by Hoechst). It encompasses a wide range of polyester films offered in multiple thicknesses, surface treatments, and coatings for technical, electrical/optical, industrial, and packaging applications.

Key properties or functions

  • Mechanical: high tensile strength and modulus; excellent dimensional stability; good tear and abrasion resistance.
  • Thermal: heat‑set biaxial orientation provides low shrinkage and shape stability; continuous service capability typically in the ~105–130 °C range for many electrical grades (higher for some specialized grades and short‑term peaks); good heat aging behavior.
  • Electrical: high dielectric strength; low dielectric loss; high insulation resistance; grades tailored for electrical machinery and components; corona‑resistant and flame‑retardant variants available.
  • Chemical and hygiene: resistant to many oils, greases, hydrocarbons, and common solvents; low moisture absorption; stabilized grades offer improved hydrolysis resistance; generally unplasticized, odorless, tasteless, and not prone to fungal/bacterial attack. Limited resistance to strong alkalis and prolonged hot/wet conditions.
  • Optical: clear grades with high transparency and gloss; controlled‑haze and matte finishes; white/opaque reflective films; low‑gel and low‑birefringence optical grades available.
  • Barrier: moderate barrier to oxygen, aromas, and water vapor; barrier markedly enhanced by metallization or functional coatings.
  • Surface/processing: one‑ or two‑side corona/flame treatment; adhesion primers; printable, metallizable, heat‑sealable, anti‑static, and release‑coated versions; good flatness and gauge control for precision laminations; low‑outgassing options.
  • Regulatory and safety: grades available with food‑contact compliance (e.g., FDA/EU), RoHS/REACH conformity, UL‑recognized electrical ratings, and flame‑retardant formulations meeting UL 94 VTM classifications (grade dependent).

Relevance

HOSTAPHAN™ PET films provide a cost‑effective balance of mechanical strength, thermal stability, dielectric performance, optical quality, and barrier behavior. They are widely used as:

  • Electrical insulating films for motors, transformers, and electronics (slot liners, phase/interlayer insulation, coil wraps, busbar and module insulation).
  • Dimensionally stable substrates and carrier films for flexible printed circuits, printed electronics, sensors, labels, and durable nameplates (where PET’s temperature capability is suitable).
  • Structural and barrier layers in technical laminates, protective and release liners, metallized reflective layers, and adhesive tape backings.
  • In automotive (including EV) systems for motor and harness insulation, battery module insulation spacers, reflective/thermal shields (metallized grades), interior/display laminates, and protective films. Compared with polyimide, PET offers lower maximum temperature but significant cost and processing advantages in applications within PET’s thermal envelope.

Examples / synonyms and related terms

  • Generic material names: biaxially oriented PET (BOPET) film; polyester film.
  • Related brands (same material family): Mylar, Melinex, Lumirror (not synonyms, but functionally similar BOPET films from other manufacturers).
  • Related materials: polyimide film (e.g., for higher‑temperature insulation), PEN film (polyethylene naphthalate) for improved thermal/chemical/barrier performance, and specialty films such as PPS, PEEK, PTFE/FEP for demanding environments.

Further information

  • Product families include electrical‑insulation grades, optical/photographic grades, low‑shrink and low‑oligomer films for precision laminations, white/opaque reflective films, flame‑retardant types, and adhesion‑ or release‑engineered surfaces.
  • Typical thickness range is about 6–350 µm, with common gauges such as 12, 23, 36, 50, 75, 100, and 125 µm (grade dependent).
  • Performance data, approvals, and processing windows are grade specific; consult the manufacturer’s technical data sheets and certifications for exact values.

Typical applications

  • Electrical and electronics: motor and generator slot liners, phase/turn and layer insulation, transformer interlayer insulation, coil wraps, busbar and battery‑module insulation, dielectric barriers in assemblies.
  • Flexible electronics and identification: substrates for printed circuits and sensors (when temperature allows), durable labels and nameplates, barcode/asset tags, carrier films for printed electronics.
  • Optical and display stacks: clear carriers, protective overlays, diffusers and white reflectors, touch‑sensor substrates.
  • Technical laminates and tapes: adhesive tape backings, siliconized release liners, metallized reflective foils, moisture/oxygen barrier layers, protective surface films.
  • Packaging: structural/barrier layers in food and technical packaging, lidding and pouch laminates (using grades with appropriate approvals).
  • General industrial: transfer and sublimation printing carriers, membrane switches, spacers and gaskets, carriers in composite layups, and laminations to foams or textiles for functional composites.

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