PCB material

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:

• Affordable and reliable

• Mechanically strong

• Flame-retardant

✅ Grades of FR-4:

•  Standard FR-4 – For general multilayer boards

•  High Tg FR-4 – >170°C glass transition temp

•  Low loss FR-4 – Optimized for RF

•  High temp FR-4 – Up to 280°C solder resistance

•  Halogen-free – Eco-friendly, low smoke

•  High CTE – Reduced thermal stress

•  High flex – For dynamic bending

•  Low Dk – Enhanced signal performance

📶 Rogers – High-Frequency Performance

Material: Ceramic composite laminate
Applications: Aerospace, defense, telecom, medical
Advantages:

• Low dielectric constant variation

• Excellent signal integrity

• Great thermal performance

📈 Ceramic PCB – High Reliability

Materials: Alumina (Al₂O₃), AlN, BeO, LTCC
Key Benefits:

• High temperature & frequency performance

• Low thermal expansion

• Excellent insulation

• Low signal loss

Types We Offer:

• Alumina PCB

• Aluminum Nitride (AlN) Base

• Copper Clad Ceramic

Thermal Conductivity Table:

Aluminum PCB – Heat Dissipation Champion

Advantages:

• Lightweight, corrosion resistant

• Excellent thermal conductivity

• High mechanical strength

Applications: LEDs, power electronics, automotive, telecom

CEM-3 – Cost-Effective Alternative

Usage: High-end electronics (e.g. medical, automotive)
Pros:

• Good mechanical & thermal stability

• Lower cost than FR-4

Cons:

• Higher dielectric constant

• Lower chemical resistance

PI (Polyimide) – For Extreme Environments

Highlights:

• Operates up to 400°C

• Low dielectric loss

• Excellent signal integrity

• High thermal stress resistance

Applications: Semiconductor, aerospace, high-reliability electronics

Glass PCB – Optical Grade Precision

Usage: LED, LCD, high-precision optics
Advantages:

• Thermal stability and homogeneity

• UV mask etching process for precision

• 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.