Mica Cable Tape

Mica cable tape is used as the industrial standard for the fireproofing and electrical insulation of high voltage wires. The key characteristics that make mica cable tape an ideal solution for the insulation of high voltage wires are its chemical inertness, thermal stability at high temperatures, dielectric strength, mechanical properties, and lightweight.

The exceptional properties of mica give rise to the mica cable industry. Mica cable tape is used for the insulation of high voltage wires in hospitals, oil rigs, shopping centers, railway tunnels, and industrial & military installations. Have a look at some important things you need to know about mica tape.

What is mica tape, and how is it used?

Mica tape is flexible, adhesive tape that is wrapped around the cables and wires to provide insulation. It is made of mica paper. Mica cable tape is reinforced with glass cloth or PE film to enhance its properties.

Mica cable tapes are available in a wide range of sizes. The width of mica cable tape usually varies from 4.5mm – 1000 mm and length from 300 – 2000 m. It is primarily used to fireproof the high voltage power & control cables and instrumentation & signaling cables.

Properties of mica tape

The key properties of mica cable tape include being free of asbestos, halogens, and toxic gases, considerable flexibility and high tensile strength, exceptional dielectric strength, and thermal stability in high-temperature environments. Have a brief look at the key properties of mica cable tape.

Chemically inert

Mica cable tape is chemically inert. It is halogen-free, asbestos-free, and does not produce high volumes of toxic gases and fumes during a fire. Due to its non-combustion nature, it does not propagate flames during the fire.

Mechanical properties

Mica Paper has exceptional mechanical properties. It has high tensile strength that allows it to convert into thin mica cable tape without losing its other properties. This flexibility of mica cable tape makes it highly versatile.

For example, we (Axim Mica) have a mica cable tape, Airex, that has high tensile strength and can be easily applied by high speed (up to 3000 rpm) standard vertical or longitudinal taping equipment (one or more layers with an overlap of 10-50% acc. to the applicable norm).

Thermal stability and dielectric strength

Natural mica cable is usually stable up to 950° C & synthetic mica cable tape up to 1100° C. The dielectric strength of mica cable tape is up to 2000 v/mm, although it varies at different temperatures. It is hard to find a material with such exceptional thermal stability and a dielectric strength with all the other properties.

What to consider while buying mica tape?

There are many things to consider while buying a mica cable tape, but the primary thing you need to consider is the certification. UL-94 V0 is the standard rating for mica cable tape. It is the Standard for Safety of Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances testing. UL-94 certified mica tape is safe to use for industrial insulation applications.

At Axim Mica, we have Airex that is made of high-grade Phlogopite, Muscovite, or synthetic mica paper impregnated with a specially developed high-temperature resistant silicone resin and reinforced with glass cloth or PE film.