FR-4 PCB
What is FR-4 PCB?
FR-4 PCB refers to the PCB processed with FR-4 copper clad laminate as the base material. FR-4 is both a name and a standard grade. The name indicates the basic quality of glass fiber reinforced epoxy laminates used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards. The “FR” in the name stands for flame retardant, while the 4 distinguishes the material from the rest of its class. The material of FR4 is a composite structure. The most basic layer of the material is fiberglass woven into a thin cloth-like sheet. Fiberglass gives FR4 the necessary structural stability. This innermost fiberglass layer is then surrounded and bonded by a flame retardant epoxy. This resin gives the material rigidity along with other physical properties.
Read Detailed FR4 substrate information; Learn more about CCL;
FR-4 Features and Benefits.
FR4 is a standard for glass fiber reinforced epoxy compounds defined by NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association). FR stands for “flame retardant” in English and indicates that the material meets the UL 94V-0 standard for flammability of plastic materials. For safety reasons, FR-4 PCBs should all meet the 94V-0 standard. Because when the PCB is short-circuited or overheated and catches fire, it ensures that the fire does not spread and is quickly extinguished. But at present, some PCB manufacturers in the market use non-flame retardant FR-4 production in order to save their cost, which has a great potential safety hazard. JHDPCB promises that all the FR-4 PCBs we produce are made of well-known brands of CCL that meet the 94V-0 standard, to know which materials we can use, please refer to TYPES AND DATABASES OF COPPER CLAD LAMINATE(CCL).
Another important parameter of FR-4 is the TG value, which refers to the glass transition temperature (TG). Typically between 115°C and 190°C, depending on the manufacturing method and resin used. The FR4 PCB produced by JHDPCB has a TG value of up to 280°C. More detailed TG value introduction for PCB production. See HIGH TG PCB.
FR-4 usually uses bromine, a chemical element called halogen that is fire resistant. It replaces G-10, another compound with lower resistance in most applications. JHDPCB can produce lead-free or halogen-free PCBs to meet some boards with environmental protection requirements.
FR4 has a good strength-to-weight ratio. It does not absorb water and maintains a high and good insulating ability in dry or wet environments. In addition, FR-4 has good machining performance, it is easy to do shape processing and can maintain certain rigidity, and the price is relatively low, which is one of the best choices for PCB production.
FR4 PCB Below 0.6mm is Called Ultra-Thin PCB, And JHDPCB Can Produce Ultra-Thin Boards Of 0.2mm.
Advantages of FR4 material:
- Provides good mechanical properties to maintain circuit board structural integrity.
- Wide operating temperature range (50°C to 115°C).
- Excellent flame retardancy.
- Higher T g values (about 180°C).
- Compared with other materials, the cost is lower.
- Good electrical properties.
- Low hygroscopicity.
If The Operating Environment is Humid, It Is Necessary To Consider CTI>600 FR4.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an FR-4 PCB
First consider the thickness. If the internal space of the product is limited, it is recommended to use FR-4 PCB with a thickness of 0.8mm or 1.0mm, which can save space. If the PCB needs to have a certain rigidity and hardness, it is recommended to use a PCB with a thickness of 1.6mm. JHDPCB can produce up to 3.2mm thick FR-4 PCB.
Next, consider the copper thickness. The normal copper thickness is 1OZ (35UM), but if the circuit carries a high current, 2OZ or 3OZ copper thickness is required. JHDPCB can produce FR4 PCB with 1-6OZ copper thickness.
According to the requirements of the application products, select some special FR4 PCB, such as high TG PCB, high CTI PCB. Combined with environmental protection requirements, some lead-free or halogen-free PCBs are used. JHDPCBcan produce these special PCBs for your one-stop shopping.
Please note that although FR-4 PCB has many advantages and low cost, not all products should use FR-4 PCB. With some high frequency products, such as 5G products, it is not suitable to use FR-4 PCB . Instead, a high-frequency circuit board substrate should be used. Fluorine resin, PPO or PPE resin and modified epoxy resin. Fluorine-based dielectric substrates (such as PTFE) with the lowest dielectric properties are typically used for products with frequencies of 5GHz or higher.
JHDPCB Production Plant:
For more of our advantages, please visit Why to JHDPCB. No matter what kind of FR-4 printed circuit boards you are looking for or boards of any other material, JHDPCB can help you in supplying high-quality PCB in any quantity while maintaining extreme quality and on-time delivery.
