Technologies
A new alternative to traditional flat flex heaters, the Flexible Carbon Fiber Heater provides greater mechanical reliability and offers the designer a much wider range of options than conventional polymer thick film ink or etched copper flexible heaters. This new technology is expected to find use in a wide range of applications in medical and commercial products, industrial food equipment, automotive or aeronautical de-icing systems, home improvement materials, and other heating systems.
Methode's Flexible Carbon Fiber Heater technology is unique since it uses stranded carbon fiber--not woven-- and it employs Methode's patented Sonicrimp sonic welding technology for electrical termination. This technology configures 7 micron carbon fiber strands into a flat form which is sealed mostly in a 3 mil. Mylar. Compared to traditional flat flex heaters made from polymer thick film ink or etched copper, this new technology is much less susceptible to increased resistance or cracked traces when subjected to repetitive flexes or certain crease bending specifications. Thermoelectric properties include the ability to heat from 100 degrees F to 200 degrees F above ambient, with a current draw of roughly 400mA to 1.5A. Either AC or DC power can be used.