High performance, high temperature lightweight insulating film, tape or sheath

摘要

A thin, lightweight insulated wire comprises a core (10) with an insulating polymeric sheath comprising an inner layer (12) of polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) to empower electrical insulation, a middle layer (14) of an aromatic and/or heterocyclic ring-containing polymer such as polyetheretherketone(PEEK) to provide enhanced mechanical properties such as abrasion and cut-through resistance and an outer layer (16) of PTFE which provides electrical and chemical resistance and allows the whole construction to be sintered. The middle layer may undergo some flow and alloying during sintering, which may provide additional and unexpected benefits. The preferred thickness of each film is 25 to 50 μm. The use of such thin films allows for a compact, thin and lightweight insulation to be produced.