PCB Materials Overview
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) use a variety of base materials depending on their performance, thermal, and electrical requirements. Below is a comprehensive overview of commonly used PCB materials.
✅ FR-4 – The Standard Workhorse
Material: Woven fiberglass cloth + Epoxy resin
Applications: Over 90% of PCBs
Thickness: 0.2mm to 3mm
Key Features:
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Affordable and reliable
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Mechanically strong
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Flame-retardant
✅ Grades of FR-4:
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Standard FR-4 – For general multilayer boards
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High Tg FR-4 – >170°C glass transition temp
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Low loss FR-4 – Optimized for RF
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High temp FR-4 – Up to 280°C solder resistance
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Halogen-free – Eco-friendly, low smoke
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High CTE – Reduced thermal stress
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High flex – For dynamic bending
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Low Dk – Enhanced signal performance
📶 Rogers – High-Frequency Performance
Material: Ceramic composite laminate
Applications: Aerospace, defense, telecom, medical
Advantages:
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Low dielectric constant variation
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Excellent signal integrity
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Great thermal performance
📈 Ceramic PCB – High Reliability
Materials: Alumina (Al₂O₃), AlN, BeO, LTCC
Key Benefits:
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High temperature & frequency performance
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Low thermal expansion
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Excellent insulation
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Low signal loss
Types We Offer:
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Alumina PCB
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Aluminum Nitride (AlN) Base
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Copper Clad Ceramic
Thermal Conductivity Table:
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/mK) |
|---|---|
| Aluminum Nitride | 150 – 180 |
| Aluminum Oxide | 18 – 36 |
| Beryllium Oxide | 184 – 300 |
| Boron Nitride | 15 – 600 |
| Silicon Carbide | 70 – 210 |
Aluminum PCB – Heat Dissipation Champion
Advantages:
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Lightweight, corrosion resistant
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Excellent thermal conductivity
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High mechanical strength
Applications: LEDs, power electronics, automotive, telecom
CEM-3 – Cost-Effective Alternative
Usage: High-end electronics (e.g. medical, automotive)
Pros:
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Good mechanical & thermal stability
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Lower cost than FR-4
Cons:
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Higher dielectric constant
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Lower chemical resistance
PI (Polyimide) – For Extreme Environments
Highlights:
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Operates up to 400°C
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Low dielectric loss
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Excellent signal integrity
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High thermal stress resistance
Applications: Semiconductor, aerospace, high-reliability electronics
Glass PCB – Optical Grade Precision
Usage: LED, LCD, high-precision optics
Advantages:
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Thermal stability and homogeneity
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UV mask etching process for precision
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Supports fine pitch and narrow traces
Process Note:
Uses UV curable resist (positive/negative) for circuit patterning on copper-clad glass.
📌 Conclusion
Each PCB material type offers unique benefits tailored to specific applications. Choosing the right material ensures better performance, longevity, and reliability for your product.