Fr4 High Frequency Material Multilayer PCB Manufacturer In China

PCB introduction:

Fr4 Material high frequency PCB Boards:

At the microwave frequencies high requirements are put on the materials for construction of final devices. A number of dielectric substrates are available for microstrip technologies but the prices of these materials are directly proportional to their good dielectric features. Application of low cost materials can cause serious inaccuracies if the design of device assumed better quality of materials. This paper deals with examination of relative permittivity (dielectric constant) of widely used FR4 material for construction of PCB (printed circuit boards). The examination is based on calculations and measurements of functional sample which was manufactured for this purpose.

FR4 High Frequency PCB Application:

Communications

Traditional telecommunication equipment, FTTP, VOIP, multimedia services, data networking and IT infrastructure products, wireless infrastructure products, power amplifiers, splitters and combiners, high power transistors, etc.

Computer Peripherals

High end printers, cable modem, wireless routers, IP telephones, consumer and office products, banking system etc.

Consumer

Computers, televisions, cameras, digital video recorders (DVR), handheld products, LED, etc.

Automotive

Passenger safety systems, engine control systems, air bags, traction control products, etc.

High End Computing and Storage

High performance computer and server, mainframe system and storage equipment, memory, etc.

Industry

Power supply, main control panel, monitor, CCTV products,automotive control equipment, industry robot, access control products etc

Medical

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), emergency response defibrillation units, patient monitoring, implantable devices, robotic surgery systems, biometrics and diagnostic equipment, etc.

Military

Satellite, radar, airplane, control unit, communication equipment .etc.

Test & Measurement

Power meters, electricity tester, thermal tester, light tester, network tester, gas and oil tester, infrared products, semi-conductor test equipment, DUT and probe cards, wafer inspection systems, etc.

FR4 Material Types

FR-4 has many different variations depending on the thickness of the material and chemical properties, such as the standard FR-4 and G10. The following list shows some common designations for FR4 PCB materials.

Standard FR4: This is the most common type of FR4. It provides good mechanical and moisture resistance, with heat resistance of about 140℃ to 150℃.

FR4 With High Tg: FR4 with high Tg is suitable for applications requiring high thermal cycling and temperatures greater than 150℃. Standard FR4 is limited to around 150℃, while FR4 with high Tg can withstand much higher temperatures.

FR4 With High CTI: FR4 with high CTI (Chemical Thermal Interaction) has better thermal conductivity than regular FR4 material. It has a comparative tracking index higher than 600 Volts.

FR4 without copper laminate: FR4 without copper laminate is a non-conductive material with excellent mechanical strength. It is mainly suitable for insulating boards and board supports.

FR4 G10: FR-4 G10 is a solid core material with excellent mechanical properties, high thermal shock resistance, excellent dielectric properties, and good electrical insulation properties.

The requirements of high frequency pcb material:

(1) the dielectric constant (Dk) must be very stable

(2) Dielectric loss (Df) must be small, which mainly affects the quality of signal transmission, the smaller the dielectric loss so that the signal loss is also smaller.

(3) and copper foil thermal expansion coefficient as far as possible, because inconsistencies in the change in the cold and heat caused by copper foil separation.

(4) low water absorption, high water absorption will be affected in the damp when the dielectric constant and dielectric loss.

(5) Other heat resistance, chemical resistance, impact strength, peel strength, etc. must also be good.

What Is FR4 PCB Material?

FR-4 is a high-strength, high-resistant, glass-reinforced epoxy laminate material used to fabricate printed circuit boards (PCBs). The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) defines it as a standard for glass-reinforced epoxy laminates.

The FR stands for flame retardant, and the number 4 differentiates this type of laminate from other similar materials. This particular laminate has woven glass-reinforced epoxy resin.

FR-4 PCB refers to the board manufactured with adjacent laminate material. This material is incorporated in double-sided, single-sided, and multi-layered boards.

ONESEINE'S STANDARD FR-4 MATERIAL PROPERTIES

High Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) (150Tg or 170Tg)

High Decomposition Temperature (Td) (> 345º C)

Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) ((2.5%-3.8%)

Dielectric Constant (@1 GHz): 4.25-4.55

Dissipation Factor (@ 1 GHz): 0.016

UL rated (94V-0, CTI = 3 minimum)

Compatible with standard and lead-free assembly.

Laminate thickness available from 0.005” to 0.125”

Pre-preg thicknesses available (approximate after lamination):

(1080 glass style) 0.0022”

(2116 glass style) 0.0042”

(7628 glass style) 0.0075”

FR4 PCB Applications:

FR-4 is a common material for printed circuit boards (PCBs). A thin layer of copper foil is typically laminated to one or both sides of an FR-4 glass epoxy panel. These are commonly referred to as copper clad laminates. The copper thickness or copper weight can vary and so is specified separately.

FR-4 is also used in the construction of relays, switches, standoffs, busbars, washers, arc shields, transformers and screw terminal strips.

Here are some key aspects related to the thermal stability of FR4 PCBs:

The thermal stability of FR4 PCBs refers to their ability to withstand and operate under different temperature conditions without experiencing significant degradation or performance issues.

FR4 PCBs are designed to have good thermal stability, meaning they can handle a wide temperature range without warping, delaminating, or suffering from electrical or mechanical failures.

Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): Tg is an important parameter that characterizes the thermal stability of FR4. It represents the temperature at which the epoxy resin in the FR4 substrate undergoes a transition from a rigid state to a more flexible or rubbery state. FR4 PCBs typically have a Tg value around 130-180°C, which means they can withstand elevated temperatures without significant changes in their mechanical properties.

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE): CTE is a measure of how much a material expands or contracts with changes in temperature. FR4 PCBs have a relatively low CTE, which ensures that they can withstand thermal cycling without excessive stress or strain on the components and solder joints. The typical CTE range for FR4 is around 12-18 ppm/°C.

Thermal Conductivity: FR4 itself is not highly thermally conductive, which means it is not an excellent heat conductor. However, it still provides adequate heat dissipation for most electronic applications. To enhance the thermal performance of FR4 PCBs, additional measures can be taken, such as incorporating thermal vias or using additional heat sinks or thermal pads in critical areas to improve heat transfer.

Soldering and Reflow Processes: FR4 PCBs are compatible with standard soldering and reflow processes commonly used in electronic assembly. They can withstand the elevated temperatures involved in soldering without significant damage or dimensional changes.

It's important to note that while FR4 PCBs have good thermal stability, they still have limits. Extreme temperature conditions, such as very high temperatures or rapid temperature changes, can potentially cause stress, delamination, or other issues. Therefore, it's important to consider the specific operating environment and choose appropriate materials and design considerations accordingly.

FR4 PCBs are known for their excellent thermal stability, high mechanical strength, and resistance to moisture and chemicals. These properties make them suitable for a wide range of applications, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive, industrial equipment, and more.

The FR4 material consists of a thin layer of copper foil laminated onto a substrate made of woven fiberglass cloth impregnated with epoxy resin. The copper layer is etched to create the desired circuit pattern, and the remaining copper traces provide the electrical connections between components.

The FR4 substrate offers good dimensional stability, which is important for maintaining the integrity of the circuitry over a wide range of temperatures. It also has low electrical conductivity, which helps prevent short circuits between adjacent traces.

In addition to its electrical properties, FR4 has good flame retardant properties due to the presence of halogenated compounds in the epoxy resin. This makes FR4 PCBs suitable for applications where fire safety is a concern.

Overall, FR4 PCBs are widely used in the electronics industry due to their excellent combination of electrical performance, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and flame retardancy.