Thermal Foil

A copper foil .001" thick (0,025 mm) is coated with Laser Gold for the ultimate thermal control barrier.
The auto race car market has driven the need to protect carbon fiber components from the blistering heat generated by the engine and exhaust system.

While many of the carbon fiber parts are Laser Gold coated by directly plating the plastic substrate, the requirement to have a ductile, flexible "wrapping" material drove the development of the Laser Gold coated copper.

The foil is applied on site using a 3M spray adhesive.

Although happy with the remarkable performance of the copper foil, the Formula 1 teams are continuously seeking lighter and lighter materials. To satisfy that need Epner Technology is developing a Laser Gold coated high temperature Kapton foil, less than half the weight of the copper.

Kleinfeld Technical Services, Inc.
http://www.kleinfeldtechnical.com

Kleinfeld Report (PDF Download-644Kb)
Report of Comparison of Laser Gold Thermal Foil and a plastic foil manufactured by Thermal Protection, Inc.
Data supplied by Kleinfeld Technical Services, Inc.

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Epner's Laser Gold

Helsinki Polytechnic Formula Engineering Team Car

Laser Gold thermal foil protecting the carbon-fiber composite bulk-head from the bilstering heat of the adjacent exhaust manifold.

Smaller heat shields covered with Laser Gold Thermal Foil a direct utilization of this renouned coating's remakably low emissivity as proven on countless space craft and optical systems. See applications.

Laser Gold Thermal Foil wrapped bumper liner protecting a Porsche Carrera's (not this car) outer plastic bumper from exhaust heat.

A carbon fiber carburetor housing for a NASCAR vehicle. LaserGold plated over a .001 copper coating that has been polished. A thin nickel barrier plate between the copper and Laser Gold prevents diffusion in the high heat of the engine compartment.