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What Are the Key Differences Between Brown Circuit Board Tape and Gold Finger Kapton Tape? |https://www.lvmeikapton.com/

Source: | Author:Koko Chan | Published time: 2025-05-15 | 51 Views | Share:

Key Differences Between Brown Circuit Board Tape and Gold Finger Kapton Tape: A Comparative Analysis

IntroductionIn the realm of printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing, tape materials play a crucial role in ensuring thermal stability, electrical insulation, and long-term reliability. Brown circuit board high-temperature tape and gold finger polyimide tape (commonly known as Kapton tape) are two essential components used for different applications within the PCB ecosystem. While both materials share similarities in their heat resistance and insulating properties, their compositions, performance characteristics, and applications differ significantly. This article aims to provide a comprehensive side-by-side analysis, highlighting the key distinctions between these two tapes to aid engineers and manufacturers in selecting the most suitable option for their specific needs.

1. Material Composition and Manufacturing

Brown Circuit Board High-Temperature Tape

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Base Material: Typically constructed using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or modified polyimide (PI) with a silicone adhesive layer.

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Color: Brown (commonly due to the presence of reinforcing fibers or pigments).

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Thickness Range: 20–125 μm (micrometers), with standard thicknesses around 50–80 μm.

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Key Features: Cost-effective, versatile, and suitable for general-purpose high-temperature applications.

Gold Finger Kapton Tape

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Base Material: Pure polyimide (PI) film (Kapton is a DuPont brand name for PI) coated with silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesive.

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Color: Amber or golden (due to the inherent color of untreated PI film).

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Thickness Range: 25–125 μm, with common thicknesses of 50 μm and 75 μm.

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Key Features: High purity PI, exceptional thermal and chemical resistance, and superior electrical insulation.

Table 1: Material Comparison

Property	Brown Circuit Board Tape	Gold Finger Kapton Tape
Base Material	PET/Modified PI	Pure Polyimide (PI)
Adhesive Type	Silicone	Silicone
Color	Brown	Amber/Golden
Thickness Range (μm)	20–125	25–125
Cost	Lower	Higher

2. Thermal Stability and Temperature Resistance

Brown Tape:

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Operating Temperature: Typically rated for continuous use up to 220°C, with short-term exposure to 260°C.

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Thermal Conductivity: Moderate (≈0.2 W/mK), suitable for applications with moderate heat generation.

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Applications: Wave soldering protection, general high-temperature insulation in PCB assembly, and 3D printing insulation.

Kapton Tape:

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Operating Temperature: Exceptionally high, rated for continuous use up to 260°C, with short-term exposure to 300°C.

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Thermal Conductivity: Low (≈0.15 W/mK), superior thermal barrier properties.

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Applications: Protection of gold fingers during soldering, motor insulation, high-temperature cable wrapping, and aerospace electronics.

Table 2: Thermal Performance Comparison

Property	Brown Circuit Board Tape	Gold Finger Kapton Tape
Continuous Temp. Range	Up to 220°C	Up to 260°C
Short-Term Exposure	260°C	300°C
Thermal Conductivity	0.2 W/mK	0.15 W/mK

3. Electrical Insulation Properties

Brown Tape:

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Dielectric Strength: Moderate (≈15 kV/mm), suitable for basic electrical insulation.

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Volume Resistivity: ≈1014 Ω·cm, effective against common voltages.

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CTI (Comparative Tracking Index): Typically >250 V, suitable for indoor environments.

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Applications: General PCB insulation, low-voltage component protection.

Kapton Tape:

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Dielectric Strength: High (≈20 kV/mm), ideal for high-voltage applications.

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Volume Resistivity: ≈1016 Ω·cm, superior electrical isolation.

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CTI: >600 V, exceptional resistance to tracking and arcing.

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Applications: Gold finger protection (PCB edge connectors), high-frequency RF circuits, and aerospace electronics.

Table 3: Electrical Performance Comparison

Property	Brown Circuit Board Tape	Gold Finger Kapton Tape
Dielectric Strength	15 kV/mm	20 kV/mm
Volume Resistivity	1014 Ω·cm	1016 Ω·cm
CTI (V)	>250	>600

4. Chemical Resistance and Durability

Brown Tape:

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Resistance: Resistant to common solvents (alcohols, ketones), acids, and alkalis.

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UV Exposure: Moderate resistance; may degrade over prolonged outdoor exposure.

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Durability: Good resistance to abrasion and tearing, suitable for mechanical stress.

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Applications: Indoor electronics, general industrial insulation.

Kapton Tape:

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Resistance: Exceptional resistance to harsh chemicals (solvents, fuels, corrosives).

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UV Exposure: High resistance, maintains stability under prolonged sunlight.

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Durability: Extremely robust, withstands extreme mechanical stress and radiation.

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Applications: Aerospace components, medical devices, and military electronics.

Table 4: Chemical and Environmental Resistance

Property	Brown Circuit Board Tape	Gold Finger Kapton Tape
Chemical Resistance	Good	Exceptional
UV Resistance	Moderate	High
Radiation Resistance	Limited	Excellent

5. Application-Specific Performance

Brown Tape:

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Wave Soldering: Effective in protecting PCB traces from molten solder.

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3D Printing: Insulates heated beds and components in FDM printers.

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Cost-Efficiency: Ideal for mass-produced consumer electronics (e.g., smartphones,家电).

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Limitations: Not suitable for prolonged exposure to >220°C or high-voltage environments.

Kapton Tape:

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Gold Finger Protection: Prevents腐蚀 and wear on connector edges during handling.

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High-Frequency Circuits: Reduces signal loss in RF/microwave applications.

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Aerospace/Military: Meets stringent reliability standards for extreme environments.

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Limitations: Higher cost, complex application due to adhesive sensitivity.

Table 5: Application Comparison

Application Area	Brown Circuit Board Tape	Gold Finger Kapton Tape
Wave Soldering	✅	✅ (Preferred for gold fingers)
High-Voltage Components	✗ (Limited)	✅
Aerospace Electronics	✗	✅
Cost Sensitivity	✅ (Lower cost)	✗ (Higher cost)

6. Handling and Application Considerations

Brown Tape:

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Ease of Use: Simple application, suitable for manual or automated processes.

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Adhesive Residue: May leave slight residue upon removal at high temperatures.

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Tackiness: Moderate adhesive strength, easy to reposition during application.

Kapton Tape:

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Ease of Use: Requires precision application to avoid adhesive transfer issues.

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Adhesive Residue: Minimal residue, even after prolonged exposure to high heat.

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Tackiness: High initial tack, adheres firmly without slippage.

Conclusion

The choice between brown circuit board tape and gold finger Kapton tape hinges on the specific requirements of the PCB application. Brown tape offers cost-effective insulation for moderate-temperature processes and general electrical protection, ideal for consumer electronics and industrial equipment. Conversely, Kapton tape excels in extreme environments, high-voltage circuits, and applications demanding prolonged thermal stability and superior electrical isolation. Engineers must balance cost, performance, and environmental factors to select the optimal tape, ensuring reliable and durable PCBs across diverse industries.