Flexible PCBs are beginning to siphon market share from rigid circuit boards due to their versatility, among other advantages, such as:

1. Flexibility. Flexible circuits can be bent, folded, and even creased to fit the end application, giving the designer the ability to have the circuitry fit the device, rather than the end device being built around the electronics and circuit boards. Flexible circuits are ideal for wearable electronics, for example.
2. Connectivity. Flexible circuits provide greater connectivity between other circuit boards, electronic components and the user interface in electronic packaging. They can even provide connectivity in dynamic flex applications where the flexible circuit needs to flex continuously over the life of the device, so they are used extensively in laptop computers, foldable electronics, and display connectivity.
3 Reduced weight. A lower-weight circuit board results in a lighter end product, which is essential in today’s electronics market where small, lightweight devices are preferred by electronic device designers and consumers. Flexible circuits are ideal for unmanned vehicles and drones, due to their very light weight.
4. Durability. While rigid PCBs are typically thicker and fairly strong, flex PCBs absorb shocks and vibrations much more effectively than rigid PCBs. This contributes directly to long-term reliability, product life and functionality. Flexible circuits are used extensively in medical electronics, missile guidance systems, weapons, satellite and other applications 5. 5. Requiring excellent environmental survivability.
Resistant. While rigid PCBs are at risk of damage or warping from heat, chemicals, or radiation, flex PCBs are much more resistant to these detrimental environments. This explains their wide application in today’s automotive electronics.