PCB Base Material

PCB Base Material Guide

FR-4 (Standard)

FR-4 is the most widely used substrate material for rigid printed circuit boards. It is a glass-reinforced epoxy laminate with excellent mechanical strength, good insulation properties, and resistance to moisture. FR-4 is suitable for the vast majority of PCB applications.

Flexible PCB (FPC)

Flex PCBs use a thin, flexible polymer film (typically polyimide) as the substrate. They can bend and flex during use, making them ideal for applications where space is limited or the board must conform to a specific shape. Flex PCBs reduce space consumption and have lower weight compared to rigid boards.

Aluminum / Copper Core

Metal-core PCBs (MCPCB) use an aluminum or copper base for superior heat dissipation and thermal transfer compared to standard FR-4 constructions. They are commonly used in LED lighting, power converters, and automotive applications.

Note: For aluminum/copper core boards, the minimum drill size is 1.0mm and the minimum slot width is 1.6mm.

Rogers / Teflon (High Frequency)

Rogers and Teflon-based substrates offer excellent dielectric properties with minimal signal loss and very low dissipation factors. They are generally used in high-speed and high-frequency circuitry applications such as RF modules, radar systems, and telecommunications equipment.