Copper Bondable Terminal Pads

Copper bondable terminal pads provide a clean, reliable connection point for strain gauge lead wires. They’re used to improve solderability, reduce the risk of damaging delicate gauge tabs, and add a durable termination area that’s easier to route and strain-relieve.

At MFL Strain Gauges, we manufacture two versions of copper bondable terminal pads:

  • Polyimide backing terminal pads

  • Epoxy backing terminal pads

Both are designed for dependable electrical connection and robust installation—but each suits different environments, surfaces, and handling requirements.

What Are Bondable Terminal Pads Used For?

Copper bondable terminal pads are commonly used to:

  • Create a solder friendly copper termination close to the strain gauge

  • Improve consistency in wiring and rework during builds

  • Reduce solder heat exposure on the strain gauge itself

  • Provide better strain relief and mechanical support for lead wires

  • Support tidy cable routing in tight or complex installations

Typical applications include transducers, load cells, structural testing, fatigue rigs, and general strain measurement installations.

Polyimide vs Epoxy Backing: Which Should You Choose?

Polyimide Backing Terminal Pads

Choose polyimide backing when you need:

  • Flexibility & conformability (better on curved or slightly uneven surfaces)

  • A thin, low profile termination point

  • Good performance where the installation needs to “move” with the surface

  • Easier placement in tight spaces and around small geometries

Best for: curved parts, compact instrumentation builds, lighter duty protection needs, and applications where flexibility matters.

Epoxy Backing Terminal Pads

Choose epoxy backing when you need:

  • A more rigid, robust pad that resists handling damage

  • Higher mechanical durability during wiring, rework, and service

  • Better performance in harsher environments (where rigidity and protection are priorities)

  • A termination point that supports strong strain relief and long-term stability

Best for: heavy duty industrial setups, rough handling, more aggressive environments, and installations where rigidity and protection matter more than conformability.

Why Terminal Pads Improve Measurement Reliability

A good termination point reduces failure modes that can impact readings, including:

  • intermittent connections from lead movement

  • solder joint fatigue

  • damage to gauge solder tabs

  • poor strain relief causing wire pull or micro-cracking

Copper terminal pads help keep the electrical connection stable especially in longer tests, vibration, or repeated thermal cycling.

Manufactured by MFL Strain Gauges in Northern Ireland

We manufacture copper bondable terminal pads to support professional strain gauge installations whether you’re building transducers, running structural tests, or producing instrumentation at scale.

Need help choosing? Tell us:

  • your surface material and geometry

  • operating temperature/environment

  • wire size and routing constraints
    …and we’ll recommend the most suitable backing option.

FAQ

What’s the difference between polyimide and epoxy backing terminal pads?
Polyimide backing is more flexible and lower profile, ideal for curved or tight installations. Epoxy backing is more rigid and durable, ideal for harsher environments and robust builds.

Do terminal pads replace strain gauge solder tabs?
They don’t replace the gauge, but they provide a more durable termination point for lead wires and can reduce soldering stress on delicate gauge tabs.

Are these suitable for transducer and load cell builds?
Yes—bondable terminal pads are commonly used to improve wiring consistency, reliability, and strain relief in transducers and load cells.

Polyimide vs Epoxy Backing — Copper Bondable Terminal Pads
Feature Polyimide Backing Epoxy Backing
Conformability Excellent — ideal on curved or complex surfaces Moderate — best on flatter areas
Profile / thickness Lower profile for compact installations Typically thicker / more robust build
Handling durability Good — suitable for careful assembly Excellent — resists handling and rework
Best surface types Curved parts, tight geometries, compact transducers Flatter mounting areas, rugged industrial builds
Typical priority Flexibility & fit Strength & protection
Tip: If you’re unsure which backing suits your application, choose polyimide for conformability and epoxy for maximum durability.
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Related Strain Gauge Products
Pair copper bondable terminal pads with the right gauge pattern for cleaner wiring, improved strain relief, and reliable measurements: