Aluminum Printed Circuit Boards are one of the most popular electronic circuit boards available today. These boards are lightweight, resistant to flame, and are made with a multilayer aluminum base and metalcore. These boards are prepared for lamination during the manufacturing process, with the inner layers pressed into place. Once lamination is completed, the boards are prepared for plating, and the rest of the process follows standard manufacturing practices.
FR-4 flame resistance
Printed circuit boards are often made from FR-4 material. This material has unique properties that make it ideal for high-frequency use in electronics. FR-4 is a glass fabric-reinforced laminate bonded with flame-resistant epoxy resin. This grade is approved by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
FR-4 PCBs come in single-sided, double-sided, and multilayer formats. They are typically made of glass fiber, the most basic FR4 material. The glass fiber is then woven into a thin cloth-like FR4 sheet. FR-4 also has good electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
FR-4 thermal insulation layer
The FR-4 thermal insulation layer on aluminum printed-circuit boards is a composite material. Its composition consists of a fiberglass layer woven into a thin cloth-like sheet that provides structural stability. This layer is surrounded by a layer of flame-resistant epoxy resin that gives it rigidity.
The FR-4 thermal insulation layer on aluminum printed-circuit boards connects devices. Compared to steel-core PCBs, aluminum-based PCBs can handle much higher currents. This feature makes them a good option for many applications.
FR-4 metal base layer
Aluminum printed circuit boards with a metal base layer are called metal clad or insulated metal substrates. They are made from a thin aluminum substrate and a metal base layer bonded with copper foil. The copper foil is then etched to create a circuit pattern. The metal base acts as a heat-resistance layer by drawing heat away from the circuit. Compared to standard FR-4 construction, they provide an exponentially greater thermal transfer efficiency. This makes it possible to use lower copper weights for the insulating layer.
The main benefit of an aluminum PCB over a standard FR-4 product is its superior thermal and electrical insulation properties. These properties make aluminum PCBs more efficient and longer-lasting than FR-4 products.
FR-4 multilayer aluminum
The dielectric constant of FR-4 is 6 to 11, and the material is fire-retardant. Its properties make it a great material for printed circuit boards. It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio. This makes FR-4 PCBs ideal for electronic components since they are inexpensive and easy to work with. Besides, they are also resistant to temperature changes and moisture. In addition, they are lightweight and can withstand high-frequency electrical signals.
FR-4 is a composite of fiberglass cloth impregnated with epoxy resin. It has good insulating properties, excellent arc resistance, and low water absorption. Several grades are available with different properties. Typically, the material has a thermal capacity of 130 degC. Often, FR-4 is laminated onto an aluminum sheet metal, and copper is metalized on its surface.