The advent of 5G cellular communication networks has sparked discussion about building fast digital circuits all around the world. Engineers are searching for the best ways to transmit signals and frequencies through the current standard materials for printed circuit boards (PCBs).

The goal of all PCB materials is to transmit electricity and provide insulation between copper conducting layers. The most common material in this group is FR-4. However, the requirements of your board will definitely be influenced by various PCB material features. The PCB material selection guide below, created by ABIS, a professional PCB manufacturer with over 15 years of expertise, will tell you what to look for when it comes to various PCB material types.

A conventional circuit board design includes non-conductive dielectric substrate core layers as well as dielectric laminated layers. The laminate layers will serve as the foundation for the copper foil traces and power planes. These layers, which function as insulation between the copper's conductive layers while letting electricity conduct, are manufactured from a variety of materials based on their properties. Several particular metrics are utilized to analyze the thermal and electrical properties of the materials in order to identify the right materials for the substrate core layers and laminate layers. Furthermore, additional aspects such as chemical qualities and mechanical properties must be examined according to the individual application, since the PCB may be utilized in machinery and components that may be exposed to greater amounts of moisture or put in tight areas that demand more flexible PCBs.

A measurement of the dielectric constant (Dk) is used to determine the electrical performance of the high-speed PCB material. To function as insulation for the copper traces and power planes, you want a material with low Dk values for PCB layers. The selected material should also keep its Dk as consistent as feasible during the course of its lifetime for various frequency ranges. The elements that determine the electrical performance of the dielectric materials used in PCBs are signal integrity and impedance.

Along the PCB, heat will be produced as it conducts electricity. Materials will degrade at various rates as a result of the thermal stress this heat will put on the transmission lines, components, and dielectric materials. Additionally, heat can cause some materials to expand, which is bad for PCBs since it can lead to failure and cracking.

When evaluating chemical resistance, the type of environment the circuit board will be utilized in is essential. The material you select should have great chemical resistance and little moisture absorption. Additionally, engineers should look for materials with flame retardant properties, which means that they won't burn for longer than 10 to 50 seconds during flame combustion. The PCB layers can also start to separate at specific temperatures, therefore it's important to pinpoint when this happens.

When you choose the correct materials, invest the right amount of money, and inspect for manufacturing flaws, you are far more likely to have many years of trouble-free operation from your printed circuit board. ABIS Circuits provides high-quality printed circuit boards. Each PCB that we offer is reasonably priced and meticulously constructed. To learn more about our PCBs, please CONTACT US.