Enameled Wire Insulation Characteristics

Thermal ClassInsulation Type MWS Product CodeNEMA Standard (MW 1000)Insulation CharacteristicsGeneral Applications
105°CPlain Enamel – Available 41 – 44 gaugePENonePlain Enamel, known as oleoresinous enamel, was one of the first film insulations developed more than 75 years ago and is still in use today in a variety of electronic components. Plain Enamel wires are manufactured to single-build dimensional standards.Relays and coils. Avoid using in presence of synthetic solvents.
FormvarFMW 15 (RD)
MW 18 (SQ & RECT)
Formvar Enamel is made from vinyl acetal resins produced as a smooth uniform film. Formvar has excellent mechanical properties such as abrasion resistance and flexibility. The film will withstand excessive elongation without rupture. When stressed during winding, Formvar has a tendency to craze upon contact with solvents such as toluol, naphtha, xylol, etc. Therefore, it should be given an annealing preheat prior to varnish application. Formvar can be removed mechanically of chemically during terminal preparationMotors, random wound coils, oil filled and dry transformers, armature and generator winding where “tough” film may be required
Polyurethane Bondable
Formvar Bondable
Polyurethane Nylon Bondable
PB
FB
PNB
MW 3
MW 19
MW 29
Bondable magnet wire is insulated copper wire with a superimposed film of thermoplastic bonding material. The heat or solvent sensitivity of this material makes possible the winding of coils of unusual shapes since the wire may be bonded turn to turn.Self-supporting coils, voice coils, encapsulated coils, relays, yoke coils
130°CPolyurethane Nylon* – No Longer AvailablePNMW 28Polyurethane-155 is a 155°C thermal class solder strippable insulation produced primarily 30 AWG and finer with quick soldering characteristics at 390°C.Motors, R.F. coils, relay, encapsulated coils, ignition coils, solenoids, low voltage transformers, layer and precision wound coils.
155°CPolyurethane 155*P155MW 79Polyurethane-155 is a 155°C thermal class solder strippable insulation produced primarily 30 AWG and finer with quick soldering characteristics at 390°C.Motors, R.F. coils, relay, encapsulated coils, ignition coils, solenoids, low voltage transformers, layer and precision wound coils.
Polyurethane Nylon 155*PN155MW 80Polyurethane Nylon-155 is similar to the 155°C Polyurethane with the additional Nylon overcoat to improve the abrasion resistance and heat shock characteristics for coil and motor windings. Produced 10 AWG to 55 AWG, soldering temperatures are 430°C for 10 – 23 AWG, and 390°C for 24 – 55 AWG.Appliance motors, relays, timer and clock coils,encapsulated coils, solenoids, toroid coils, random wound coils.
Polyurethane 155 Bondable
Polyurethane Nylon 155 Bondable
PB155
PNB155
MW 131
MW 136
Bondable magnet wire is insulated copper wire with a superimposed film of thermoplastic bonding material. The heat or solvent sensitivity of this material makes possible the winding of coils of unusual shapes since the wire may be bonded turn to turn.Self-supporting coils, voice coils, encapsulated coils, relays, yoke coils
180°CPolyurethane 180*P180MW 82Polyurethane-180 combines the thermal properties of a class 180°C insulation, while offering low temperature solderability at 390°C (24 AWG and finer).Automotive relays, ignition coils, transformers and solenoids.
Polyester-imidePTMW 30Polyester-imide magnet wire is insulated with a Class H modified polyester resin. It has excellent thermal endurance, solvent resistance and exhibits a low coefficient of friction to improve windability. It requires mechanical or chemical stripping.Appliance and tool motors, continuous operation coils, subfractional instrument and servo motors solenoids.
Polyurethane Nylon 180*PN180MW 83Polyurethane Nylon-180 offers excellent abrasion resistance for ferrite core coils and transformers, while exhibiting high temperature thermal stress and low temperature solderability at 430°C (14 – 23 AWG ) and 390°C (24 AWG and finer).Relays, pulse transformers, toroid coils, small appliance motors.
Polyester-imide Bondable*
Polyester-amide-imide Bondable*
Solderable Polyester Bondable*
PTB
APTB
SPTB
NONE
NONE
NONE
Self-bonding polyester actually describes a number of possible constructions of polyester base insulation with a thermoplastic bond coat. The bond coat may be epoxy, polyester or polyamide. Keep in mind for design purposes that the addition of the bond coat does add one overall build level to the wire dimensionTelevision yoke coils, clutch and brake coils, helical and toroidal coils.
Polyester Nylon*PTNMW 76Polyester Nylon is a film insulation with a modified polyester basecoat and a nylon topcoat. Typical of a dual coat construction, advantage is taken of the high thermal properties of the polyester and the mechanical properties of the nylon.Fractional and integral horsepower motors, coils and relays, control and dry transformers, encapsulated coils, D.C. field coils.
Solderable Polyester*SPTMW 77Solderable Polyester magnet wire is an ester-imide insulated wire which solders at 470°C. Since thermoplastic flow values equal or exceed 280°C, the insulation has shown excellent promise in transfer molding applications.Special transformer coils, automotive coils, electronic coils.
Solderable Polyester Nylon*SPTNMW 78Solderable Polyester-Nylon magnet wire is a two-part insulation system in which ester-imide basecoat is overcoated with nylon. This wire solders at 455°C. The construction may be considered a substitute for applications where ester-imide insulation wire is used, with the added features of improved solvent resistance and improved windability.Shaded-pole motor coils, special control coils, automotive coils.
Polyurethane 180 Bondable Polyurethane Nylon 180 BondablePB180
PNB180
NONE
MW 137
Same characteristics of the PB155 and the PNB155, but with the added thermal endurance of the Polyurethane and Polyurethane Nylon 180 base insulation.Self-supporting coils, voice coils, encapsulated coils, relays, yoke coils
200°CGlass Fibers
Dacron Glass
GLASS
DGLAS
MW 44 (RD)
MW 43 (SQ & RECT)
MW 45 (RD)
MW 46 (SQ & RECT)
Both glass and dacron glass are a served filament on the magnet wire conductor. They are available as unvarnished or varnished with organic or silicone varnishes. The fibers may be served over bare conductor or over film constructions. The glass is a continuous filament glass yarn and the dacron glass is a combination of glass and polyester fibers. The advantage of the glass is its high resistance to overload burnout and the advantage of the dacron glass is its abrasion resistance and better flexibility than glass. The dacron glass can be purchased fused and unvarnished.Dry transformers, Class B motors.
Polyester 200*PT200MW 74Polyester-200 is a modified theic-polyesterimide one-part system. It has high temperature thermal properties and good chemical resistance. Normally produced in sizes 34 -56 AWG.Motors, small coils, transformers.
Polyester A / I Topcoat*APTMW 35 (RD)
MW 36 (SQ & RECT)
Polyester-amide-imide magnet wire is a two-part insulation consisting of a modified polyester basecoat with a superimposed amide-imide outer coating. This wire exhibits exceptional windability, heat shock resistance, and ability to withstand overloads. Chemical resistance to most solvents and insulating varnishes is extremely good. It is not softened by refrigerants and extractions are essentially zero.Fractional and integral horse power motors(hermetic and open), automotive and hand tool armatures, dry type transformers.
Polyester A / I PolyamideimideAPT IGMW 35
MW 73
For inverter duty applications, this insulation is designated for use in motors that may be subject to voltage spikes. Available in sizes 14 – 30 AWG.Rotating machines, Fractional and Integral HP Motors, Hermetic Motors, DC Motors, Power Tools, Dry Transformers, Electronic Coils.
Polytetrafluoloethylene (Teflon*)TEFLONNONETeflon** has high heat resistance and excellent resistance to most solvents, acids and corrosive chemicals and a high dielectric constant.Miniature rotating components and windings where severe environments are encountered.
FEP Low dielectric constant, chemical, heat and cold resistant.
240°CPolyimide – ML*MLMW 16 (RD)
MW 20 (SQ & RECT)
ML is a film insulation made of polyimide resins and is the most popular insulation used in medical application, also for its biocompatibility characteristics. It is a Class 240°C thermal rated insulation with exceptional resistance to chemical solvents and burnout. The outstanding thermoplastic flow of over 400°C and its ability to withstand excessive overloads extends the use of wire in extreme conditions. ML is unaffected by prolonged exposure to varnish solvents and its compatible with virtually all systems.Fractional and integral horsepower motors, high temperature continuous duty coils and relays, hermetic and sealed units, heavy duty hand tool motors, encapsulated coils.
200°CPTFElow coefficient of friction, and chemically resistant.
260°CPEEKResistant to radiation, chemicals, abrasion, and heat.
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