As you know, the printed circuit board plays a vital role in electronic products, so you need to consider how to choose the right material in your PCB manufacturing. JHYPCB can offer you the lowest possible costs and the very finest in high-quality PCB fabrication and high-quality PCB assembly. However, there are many different types of PCB materials, such as FR-4 material, HDI material, Rogers PCB material, and so on. In general, we use the standard FR-4 material for the printed circuit boards to reduce product costs, which is a good option because FR-4 material is affordable and useful for many applications. However, FR-4 material is not the only type of PCB material; comparing to PCB material, FR-4 material, and Rogers material is essential.
What is FR4?
FR-4 or FR4`s properties and characteristics make it very versatile at an affordable cost. Before the explosion of multilayer PCBs, there were many alternative board materials to FR4. These included FR2, CEM 1, and CEM 3, which were paper-based. However, the strength of FR4, especially for multilayer PCB boards, was a significant factor in separating it from alternatives to become the industry standard. Therefore, Most PCBs are made using FR4 as the base material.
Its glass transition (TG) is 115°C to 200°C for the High TGs or HiTGs, depending on the manufacturing methods and the resins used. A standard FR-4 PCB will have a layer of FR-4 sandwiched between two thin layers of laminated copper.
The Different Types of FR-4 Available From JHYPCB
Standard FR4
1. FR-4 material is cheaper than Rogers material.
FR4 is indeed a good standard or default option for your board material in most cases. However, there are cases where FR4 is not the best material for your board, as listed below.
FR4 is rightly the most used material in PCB construction. Boards made from FR4 are strong, water resistant, and provide good insulation between copper layers that minimizes interference and supports good signal integrity. However, at high frequencies and in environments, FR4 is not the best material to use for your boards. At JHYPCB, the industry leader in fast, high-quality PCB Prototype and low-volume manufacturing, we are capable to meet your board material needs for any case. We will work with you to help you select the materials that will best implement your design intent. Fr4 PCB, Fr-4 Substrate PCB, PCB Material Fr4, Fr4 PCB Material JingHongYi PCB (HK) Co., Limited , https://www.pcbjhy.com
Common instrumentation terms are as follows:
Range: A range of quantities defined by the upper and lower limits. Note: "Range" usually includes modifiers. For example: measurement range, scale range. It can be applied to measured or working conditions.
Measure range measuringrange Measured range of measurement to be performed with specified accuracy.
Measured range lower limit. measuringrangelowerlimit Measured minimum value to be measured in accordance with the specified precision.
Measured range upper limit measuringrangehigherlimit Measured maximum value measured according to the specified precision.
The algebraic difference between the upper and lower limits of the span range. For example, when the range is -20°C to 100°C, the range is 120°C.
Performance characteristics performancecharacteristic Determine the instrument parameters and capabilities of the relevant parameters and quantitative expression.
Reference performance characteristics referenceperformancecharacteristic Performance characteristics achieved under reference working conditions.
Linear scale Scales in the linearscale scale that have a constant proportional relationship with the corresponding grid values. Note: A linear scale with a constant scale spacing is called a regular scale.
Non-linear scale Non-scale scale The scale spacing between the scale and the corresponding grid values ​​are in a scaled relationship. Note: Some non-linear scales have special names such as logarithmic scale, square law scale.
Inhibit Zero Scale The scale in the suppressed-zeroscale scale range does not include the scale value corresponding to the zero value being measured. For example: the scale of a medical thermometer.
In the extended scale scale range of the expanded scale, the disproportionate expansion part accounts for the scale of most scale lengths.
Scales form an ordered set of scale marks that are part of the pointing device and all related digits.
The scale range scalerange is limited by the scale start and end values.
The scale mark scalemark indicates a reticle or other mark on the device corresponding to one or more determined measured values. Note: For digital indications, the numbers themselves are equivalent to scale marks.
PCB Material Fr4 Substrate PCB Board Manufacturing Service
FR4 is a standard defined by the NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) for a glass-reinforced epoxy resin laminate.
"FR" indicates the material is flame-retardant, and the "4" indicates woven glass-reinforced epoxy resin. Single or double-sided PCB structures consist of an FR4 core and top and bottom copper layers. Multilayer PCB boards have additional prepreg layers between the center core and top and bottom copper layers. The core consists of a substrate with copper covering, also referred to as a copper-clad laminate(CCL). The core, laminate, and prepreg may all be FR4 with the copper sheets between the signal and ground layers. FR4 is the most common material grade that comprises fabricated circuit boards.
FR4 materials and characteristics
FR-4 uses bromine, a so-called halogen chemical element that is fire resistant. It replaced G-10, another less resistant composite, in most of its applications.
FR4 has the advantage of having an excellent resistance-weight ratio. It does not absorb water, keeps high mechanical strength, and has an excellent insulating capacity in dry or humid environments.
Examples of FR-4
Factors to consider when choosing the thickness
JHYPCB STANDARD FR-4 MATERIAL PROPERTIES
FR4 High TG
FR4 High IRC
FR4 with no copper
The Difference Between FR-4 Material and Rogers Material
2. Comparing to FR-4 material, Rogers material is great with high frequencies.
3. FR-4 material has a high Df or dissipation factor than Rogers material, suffering more signal loss.
4. In impedance stability, Rogers material has a wider range of Dk values than FR-4 material.
5. For dielectric constant, FR-4 features a Dk of about 4.5, which is lower than Rogers material with around 6.15 to 11.
6. In temperature management, Rogers material has a less variation comparing to FR-4 material.
When is FR4 Not the Best Material For Your Board?
If your boards will be distributed in Europe and must adhere to The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) or your client necessitates that lead-free soldering be used, then you may want to explore other material options. This is due to the fact that reflow temperatures for no-lead PCBA(Lead-free PCB Assembly) may reach as high as 250°C, which substantially exceeds the Tg for many versions of FR4.
At high frequencies, FR4 boards are not able to maintain a constant impedance and reflections may occur that negatively impact signal integrity. This is a consequence of the relatively high value for dk.
It is also ill-advised to use FR4 if the PCB will be required to operate in an environment under extremely high temperatures. An example would be near the engine compartment of an aerospace vehicle.
And to help you get started on the best path, we furnish information for your DFM checks. If you are ready to have your design manufactured, Try to contact us via email.