Electric power is becoming mainstream due to technological innovations in automated driving and the growing use of environmentally friendly electric vehicles (EVs). To cope with the increased electronics used in automobiles, automotive developers must address high-speed data transmission, high-current and high-voltage situations while reducing the size and weight of components to saving space.

In addition, the increased number of modules installed means increased heat generated due to high currents, inside the housing of the modules.  The use of heat-resistant components is becoming ever more important.

I-PEX has a large lineup of general-purpose connectors rated at 85°C and products designed for consumer devices, but to address requirements in the automotive field, we have developed a number of products that can handle high temperatures, from 105°C to 125°C, and we will continue to add to our line-up of connectors that operate reliably in high temperature environments.

 

Matrix of high-temperature resistance recommended connectors

---

Product type	Micro-Coaxial Connectors				RF / Coaxial Connectors<
Product Name	CABLINE®-VS II	CABLINE®-CA II	CABLINE®-CA II PLUS	CABLINE®-UM	MHF®-TI
Heat resistance	105℃	105℃	105℃	105℃	105℃
Pitch	0.5 mm	0.4 mm	0.4 mm	0.4 mm	-
Height (MAX)	1.2 mm	1.1 mm	1.2 mm	2.35 mm	3.65 mm
Depth	6.7 mm	6.2 mm	6.7 mm	5.0 mm	-

Product type	FPC/FFC Connectors
Product Name	MINIFLEX® 5-BFN II	MINIFLEX® 5-BFN II LK	MINIFLEX® 5-FF	EVAFLEX® 5-VS Type CH	EVAFLEX® 5-SE-G VT	EVAFLEX® 5-SE
Heat resistance	125℃	125℃	125℃＊	105℃	125℃	FFC：85℃ FPC：125℃
Pitch	0.5 mm	0.5 mm	0.5 mm	0.5 mm	0.5 mm	0.5 mm
Height (MAX)	1.1 mm	1.1 mm	2.75 mm	2.0 mm	6.9 mm	2.7 mm
Depth	3.5 mm	4.0 mm	7.2 mm	4.97 mm	4.1 mm	6.1 mm

Product type	Power Connectors / Terminals
Product Name	ISH®				IARPB®		AP-10	AP-TSS10, AP-LT10
Type	Horizontal	Horizontal Type- Hybrid	Vertical	Wire to Wire	Horizontal	Vertical	Vertical	Vertical
Heat resistance	125℃	125℃	125℃	125℃	125℃	125℃	105℃	125℃
Pitch	2.0 mm	Signal: 2.0 mm Power: 3.8 mm	2.0 mm	2.0 mm	2.5 mm	2.5 mm	-	-
Height (MAX)	(1 row) 7.4 mm (2 rows) 10.9 mm	13.6 mm	20.75 mm	(1 row) 8.0 mm (2 rows) 11.7 mm	(2/3/4/5P) 3.5 mm  (6P) 4.0 mm	8.7 mm	13.6 ~ 16.1 mm 16.1 ~ 23.1 mm	8.0 mm

(*Only Specified Products)

 

Features of I-PEX high-temperature connectors

---

I-PEX provides high-temperature-resistant connectors engineered to withstand harsh thermal environments, leveraging decades of development experience and proprietary design technology. The connectors are designed to maintain stable electrical and mechanical performance even in applications requiring continuous operation at elevated temperatures up to 125°C, delivering high performance under harsh operating conditions such as those found in automotive and industrial equipment.

1) Material Selection

I-PEX selects materials with excellent workability, dielectric properties, and thermal conductivity, as well as stress relaxation characteristics that stabilize spring characteristics even in high-temperature use environments, and materials that can ensure consistent contact. Most of our products are made of phosphor bronze contact material, but we also use alloy for high-temperature products, which is a stronger material without sacrificing the high electrical and thermal conductivity inherent in copper. (Except IARPB/AP-TSS10/AP-LT10).

2) Design

To ensure stable electrical contact, a certain level of contact pressure is required between the contact and the mating component is indispensable. We use high-temperature-resistant metallic component for the contact elements and design them in a spring configuration, enabling the structure to maintain optimal contact force over an extended period. In particular, even under conditions involving repeated mating cycles of the connector or stress relaxation caused by temperature changes, the spring characteristics are optimized in the design stage to ensure that the specified contact force is maintained. This design ensures reliable contact performance even under harsh operating conditions.

 

3) Reliability Test

By employing heat-resistant materials and design that optimizes spring characteristics, thermal displacement is effectively suppressed, ensuring stable contact reliability. As a result, I-PEX products are capable of maintaining consistent performance even in high-temperature environments of up to 125 °C.
We have conducted demanding tests required for automotive applications, including temperature cycling (–55 °C to +125 °C, 100 cycles) and high-temperature endurance (125 °C for 1,000 hours), and verified that no abnormalities were observed.
※Please note that test conditions differ for each connector. Detailed evaluation and test reports for each item can be accessed through the link below.

CABLINE®-VS II	TR-17060-06EN
CABLINE®-CA II	TR-15103-07EN
CABLINE®-CA II PLUS	TR-16075-02EN
CABLINE®-UM	TR-18067-09EN
MHF®-TI	TR-20007-03EN

 

MINIFLEX® 5-BFN II	TR-12124-06EN
MINIFLEX® 5-BFN II LK	TR-14132-07EN
MINIFLEX® 5-FF	TR-14129-08EN
EVAFLEX® 5-VS Type CH	TR-16039-04EN
EVAFLEX® 5-SE-G VT	TR-17100-03EN
EVAFLEX® 5-SE	TR-10048-10EN

 

ISH® Horizontal	Microsoft Word - STR-23002 ISH CONNECTOR(NORMAL LOCK) TestReport_Rev.0
ISH® Horizontal Type-Hybrid	Microsoft Word - STR-23015_ISH HYBRID CONNECTOR(NORMAL LOCK)_TestReport_Rev.0
ISH® Vertical	Microsoft Word - STR-23004 ISH・ISHV CONNECTOR LV214Test Report Rev.0
ISH® Wire to Wire	Microsoft Word - STR-23003_ISH INLINE CONNECTER_TestReport_Rev.0

 

IARPB® Horizontal	TR-25025-02EN(STR-24002-02EN)
IARPB® Vertical

 

AP-10	TR-19063-04EN
AP-TSS10 AP-LT10	TR-23036-02EN

Reliability Test Facilities

Rapid-Rate Thermal Cycle Chamber *High and low temperature endurance test *Temperature-humidity endurance test Operating temperature：-85～＋180℃	Thermal shock chamber *Thermal shock test *Thermal cycling test Operating temperature： High range +60℃～+200 ℃ Low range-70℃~-0℃
Compact thermal shock chamber *Thermal shock test Operating temperature：-65℃ ~200℃	Contact resistance measurement system *10mΩ ~ 1000MΩ range. (12-grade)

By utilizing these facilities, reliability evaluation tests can be conducted in compliance with various international standards, including MIL and IEC specifications. These tests support not only quality assurance of mass-produced products but also design verification during the development of new products.

 

Overview

In response to the keyword of “high-temperature resistance,” I-PEX offers a wide range of connectors, providing a lineup of products that maintain stable electrical connection performance even under high-temperature environments. We will continue to advance our integrated development process combining —material research, thermal analysis, and evaluation methodologies—to meet the stringent demands of high-temperature environments and provide strong support for our customers’ needs.