In industrial manufacturing, choosing the right tape is more than a matter of cost—it’s about matching material properties to your specific application needs. Polyimide (PI) tape and Polyester (PET) tape are two of the most widely used high-performance adhesive tapes, but they serve different purposes.

1) Material and Temperature Resistance
• PI Tape (Polyimide)
• Base material: Polyimide film
• Temperature range: -73°C to 260°C (short-term up to 300°C)
• Exceptional thermal stability and flame resistance
• Ideal for extreme-heat processes like wave soldering or powder coating
• PET Tape (Polyester)
• Base material: Polyester film
• Temperature range: -20°C to 180°C (short-term up to 200°C)
• Cost-effective with good heat resistance for moderate-temperature applications
• Suitable for masking, splicing, and general insulation work

2) Electrical Insulation Performance
• PI Tape: High dielectric strength, stable insulation at high temperatures, widely used in motors, transformers, and aerospace wiring.
• PET Tape: Strong dielectric properties at lower temperatures, common in electronics assembly, coil insulation, and battery wrapping.

3) Chemical Resistance
• PI Tape: Resistant to most solvents, acids, and alkalis, making it reliable in harsh chemical environments.
• PET Tape: Good resistance to moisture and many solvents, but prolonged exposure to strong chemicals may cause degradation.

4) Application Scenarios
| Application | PI Tape | PET Tape |
|---|
| Wave soldering PCB masking | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Not suitable |
| Powder coating masking | ✅ High-temp resistant | ⚠️ Limited use |
| Electrical insulation at high temp | ✅ Stable performance | ⚠️ Moderate temp only |
| General-purpose masking | ⚠️ Over-spec for this use | ✅ Cost-effective |
| Splicing in moderate heat | ⚠️ Possible but costly | ✅ Ideal choice |
| Battery insulation | ✅ For high-temp cells | ✅ For standard cells |
5) Cost Consideration
• PI Tape: Higher cost due to advanced polyimide film and high-temp adhesives—best used where performance justifies the expense.
• PET Tape: More economical, ideal for high-volume applications with moderate performance requirements.

Conclusion
If your application involves extreme temperatures, harsh chemicals, or critical electrical insulation, PI tape is the safer choice. For cost-sensitive, moderate-temperature, and general masking applications, PET tape delivers excellent value.
