ITW Formex Materials From ESPE Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Formex

Formex is a brand-name line of electrical insulating materials. This flame-retardant electrical insulation is a versatile and cost-effective method for a wide variety of applications.

At ESPE Manufacturing Co. Inc., we offer Formex insulating material sheets and rolls. A member of the ITW Formex® product line, Formex material shields against electric surges in industrial and consumer electronic equipment.

As a top ITW Formex distributor, we offer the full range of ITW Formex products including:

Uses of Formex Insulating Material

Formex material is composed of flame-retardant polypropylene that prevents electrically charged components from arcing, protecting the users, equipment, and maintenance personnel. In the event of electrical fire, these flame retardant properties assure that the Formex material will not melt or combust up to 115°C / 239°F. It appears in a variety of applications as an electrical insulator and barrier.

Find Formex materials in the following applications:

  • Cloud data centers
  • Industrial controls
  • LED lighting
  • Electrical power distribution
  • Consumer electronics

Applications

Electrical and electronic insulation

Formex material provides insulation for:

  • EV battery packs
  • EV onboard chargers
  • EV DC/DC converters
  • EV power electronics controllers
  • EV DC charging stations
  • PV solar power inverters
  • LED drivers
  • EV battery management systems
  • Panelboard barriers and insulators
  • Industrial power terminal insulation

Formex insulating material also appears in a variety of electronics and smart home devices such as:

  • Power supplies
  • AI speakers
  • Home appliances
  • Personal computers

Furthermore, Formex materials can be found in:

  • Patient treatment
  • Monitoring
  • Testing
  • Automated drug dispensing
  • Pulse detection
  • Blood pressure sensing
  • Electrocardiogram instrumentation

Barriers

Formex barriers exist between PC boards and housings to prevent access to dangerous areas within the equipment.

Types of Formex Materials at ESPE Manufacturing

At ESPE Manufacturing, we provide the following Formex insulating material products:

  • Formex GK
    • Available in eight thicknesses ranging 0.005″ through 0.125″ inch
    • Available in eight thicknesses from 0.13 mm through 3.18 mm
    • 115°C/239°F continuous-use temperatures
    • UL 94V-0 for thicknesses 0.017″ and above
    • UL 94VTM-0 for 0.005″ & 0.010″
    • Offers superior dielectric strength
  • Formex GS (formerly Statex)
    • Available in 0.010″, 0.017″ and 0.030″ inch thicknesses
    • Available in 0.25 mm, 0.43 mm & 0.76 mm thicknesses
    • 110°C/239°F continuous-use temperatures
    • UL 94V-0 for thicknesses 0.017″ and 0.030″
    • UL 94VTM-0 for the 0.010″ thickness
    • Static dissipative electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection
  • Formex GL
    • Available in 0.010” and 0.017” inch thicknesses
    • Available in 0.25 mm & 0.43 mm thicknesses
    • 125°C/257°F continuous use temperatures
    • UL 94VTM-0 Flame Class Rating
  • Formex N3
    • Available in 0.008” and 0.010” inch thicknesses
    • Available in 0.20 mm & 0.25 mm thicknesses
    • 130°C/266°F continuous use temperatures
    • UL 94VTM-0 Flame Class Rating
    • Halogen free polycarbonate

Features

Formex material offers a range of desirable features for users, including:

  • UL 94V-0 Flame Class Rating meets global standards for safety
  • Non-hygroscopic (ultra-low <0.06% moisture absorption)
  • Excellent dielectric strength shields against electrical surges
  • Chemical resistance maintains mechanical and electrical properties
  • Superior scoring, folding, and bending capabilities—parts do not split or crack
  • Competitive pricing

Formex processing occurs using a variety of methods, including:

  • Die cutting for engraved, rotary, steel rule, and male/female dies
  • Laser/water jet cutting for rapid prototyping and high-speed production
  • Heat forming to produce permanently formed angles on parts with low-cost tooling
  • Machining using conventional techniques for easy fabrication
  • Thermoforming to produce rigid, three-dimensional complex shapes

Additional processing available for Formex insulating materials includes:

  • Lamination with copper or aluminum foil for EMI and RFI shielding
  • Addition of adhesives for various applications
  • Marking to add embossed or printed product ID or part numbers as well as safety or technical information
  • Welding to bond Formex to itself with conventional techniques
  • Joinery methods to create parts and eliminate external fastening

Insulation for all occasions

Formex materials have a wide variety of uses in a number of electrical insulation applications, from manufacturing to consumer products. This flame-retardant material prevents electric surges by shielding electrical parts, preventing arcing, burning or fire.

ESPE Manufacturing offers a great selection of electrical insulation materials like Formex for your applications. We’re a top ITW Formex distributor, serving numerous industries. We will be happy to help you select the right electrical insulators and barriers for your application’s needs. Browse our catalog to find a full list of ITW Formex materials and applications, or contact us for more info!

Technical Data Sheet

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