ITW Formex
ITW Formex® materials are flame retardant, electrically insulating and chemically resistant. Manufactured from polypropylene or polycarbonate, they can be laminated with aluminum or copper foil for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) shielding. ITW Formex® materials are also inexpensive to stamp and can dissipate electrostatic discharge (ESD), a sudden flow of electricity that can damage circuits.
With their unique properties and processing capabilities, ITW Formex® materials are replacing electrical paper, injection molded parts and thermoplastics in many industrial, commercial and consumer applications. Stamped parts are flat, but ITW Formex® materials can also be scribed and folded into 3D shapes. ITW Formex® materials save space and cost by shipping and storing flat parts that are then assembled into finished structures.
ITW Formex® products
ITW Formex™ supplies four different types of Formex™ products: GK, GL, GS and N3. These flame retardant, electrically insulating materials come in a variety of gauges and colors for cost-effective manufacturing of laminated and stamped parts. Formex™ GK, a well-known product, is available in black or natural finishes in .0,005″ and .0,030″ thicknesses. Formex™ GK has both a UL 94 VTM-0 flammability rating and an F1 rating, demonstrating its suitability for outdoor use.
Formex™ GL is UL recognized to UL 94V-0 and has a dielectric strength of 1.880 volts/mil. Formex™ GS combines UL 94 VTM-0 flame retardancy with ESD protection. Formex™ N3 is a thin, halogen-free, multilayer polycarbonate with excellent dielectric strength and a UL 94V-0 flame retardancy rating. All four ITW Formex® materials are RoHS compliant. Formex GS and Formex GK also meet the requirements of FMVSS 302-75 for the automotive industry.
ITW Formex® applications
In the automotive industry, stamped ITW Formex® is used for electric vehicle battery insulation. Other Formex™ applications include air baffles in HVAC systems and wire and cable management in televisions and appliances. Because ITW Formex® is a flame retardant electrical insulator, Formex™ stamped materials are found in computers and computer peripherals, conventional and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), electrical and power distribution systems, and telecommunications equipment.
Other applications for ITW Formex® materials include medical devices, lighting systems and 3D printers. Formex™ can also form barriers between printed circuit boards (PCBs) or between PCBs and cases. This electrical insulating material is ideal for protecting the sensitive components in LED lighting, IP security cameras, access control systems and digital signage.
