The chart below displays some commonly used magnet wire film insulations. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and other options may be available for your project. Need help? Contact us!
| Insulation | Temperature Rating | AWG | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyvinyl Formal | Class 105C MW 15-C | 14 - 50 | - Excellent abrasion resistance - Excellent compatibility with transformer oils - Good electrical properties - Used in Cryogenic Applications | - Must be stripped before soldering - Should be annealed before application of varnish |
| Polyurethane | Class 155C MW 79-C | 30 - 50 | - Excellent electrical properties for high "Q" coils - Easily solderable 390C/360C - Excellent film adhesion & flexibility - Good moisture & chemical resistance | - Not recommended for applications with the possibility of severe thermal overload |
| Class 180C MW 82-C | 24-50 | |||
| Polyurethane-Nylon | Class 155C MW 80-C | 10 - 46 | - Good electrical properties - Easily solderable 430C/390C - Excellent film adhesion & flexibility - Improved chemical & mechanical resistance from nylon overcoat - Nylon overcoat provides low coefficient of friction | - Not recommended for applications with the possibility of serve thermal overload - Nylon overcoat is hygroscopic |
| Class 180C MW 83-C | 24 - 46 | |||
| Solderable Polyester | Class 180C MW 77-C | 30 - 50 | - Solderable 470C - Excellent thermal properties - Good electrical properties - Good compatibility with varnishes & solvents - Improved thermal overload - Good moisture resistance | - Low abrasion resistance compared to Nylon & amide imide topcoat materials - Preheat before varnishing is recommended |
| Solderable Polyester Nylon | Class 180C MW 78-C | 30 - 50 | - Solderable at 470C - Excellent thermal properties - Good electrical properties - Good compatibility with varnishes & solvents - Improved thermal overload - Good moisture resistance - Nylon overcoat provides low coefficient of friction | - Nylon overcoat is hygroscopic - Preheat before varnishing is recommended |
| Polyester Amide-Imide | Class 200C MW 74-C | 34 - 44 | - Excellent flexibility & abrasion resistance - Excellent thermal overload - Superior dielectric strength - Excellent moisture resistance - Good chemical resistance | - Must be stsripped before soldering - Not recommended for use in oil-filled transformers - Preheat before varnishing |
| Polyester/Poly-amideimide | Class 200C MW 35-C | 4 - 50 | - Excellent flexibility & abrasion resistance - Excellent thermal overload - Superior dielectric strength - Excellent moisture resistance - Good chemical resistance | - Must be stripped before soldering - Preheat before varnishing |
| Polyimide | Class 240C MW 16-C | 10 - 50 | - Excellent flexibility - Excellent thermal overload and radiation resistance - Excellent dielectric strength - Excellent moisture resistance - Excellent chemical compatibility - High dielectric strength - Adequate abrasion resistance - Low outgas | - Must be stripped before soldering - Must be annealed before varnishing - Will solvent craze |
