This digital age that we are fortunate to be a part of, has been built on a myriad of breakthroughs and developments. Underneath all these accomplishments lie the unsung heroes of technology – Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). Imagine these PCBs as the silent veins of electronics, circulating life in the form of electrical signals. In their many avatars – Ceramics being one of the major ones, they help bring to life a diverse array of gadgets that we use daily.
A Ceramic PCB is a type of PCB that utilizes ceramic as its base material. Ceramics have the capability to be electrically expended, can dissipate heat, and electrical insulation. These attributes enable Ceramic PCBs to operate in extreme conditions where other materials may fail and in industries like medical equipment, aerospace, etc.
Let’s take a deep dive into the realm of Ceramic PCBs, uncovering the materials they are made of, the various types that exist, their impressive benefits, and the drawbacks that we must cautiously tread around.
FX PCB can provide the ALN(Aluminum oxide) and AIO203(Aluminum Nitride) Ceramic PCB, we can make ENEPIG, ENIG, Immerison silver surface,you can check the material datesheet and our capability from the below tables.
The ceramic circuit board has the following characteristics: high-temperature resistance, high electrical insulation, low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, high thermal conductivity, good chemical stability, and the thermal expansion is almost can be coefficients of components.
Ceramic PCB is actually made of electronic ceramic materials and can be made into various shapes.
When we talk about ceramic printed circuit boards, or PCBs, the “ceramic” term can include a wide range of materials. Each one comes with its unique characteristics that make it a good fit for certain uses. Here are the major three materials used:
Alumina, or Al2O3, is the ceramic you’ll find most often in PCBs. Its popularity comes from its easy availability and cost-friendliness. It strikes a decent balance between thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties with 24-28 W/mK conductivity.
Aluminium Nitride, or AlN, is a go-to choice when you need top-notch thermal conductivity. With a thermal conductivity score of 170-230 W/mK, it’s a champ at getting rid of heat and keeping electronics functioning properly.
Beryllium Oxide, or BeO, outperforms all the other ceramics when it comes to thermal conductivity, achieving between 250-325 W/mK. But, it’s not used as widely because it’s toxic. Working with BeO requires a lot of safety precautions, which drives up manufacturing costs.
There are a few different kinds of PCBs out there, and each has its strengths:
So, what makes Ceramic PCBs the rising star in the world of electronics? Here, we shed light on some of the key benefits that make them a popular choice:
The word ‘ceramic’ often brings to mind images of pottery baking in a kiln. But this material, famed for withstanding high temperatures in a potter’s kiln, could play a pivotal role in electronic devices. With an inherent high thermal conductivity, Ceramic PCB is quite the master at heat management. They pull off a spectacular balancing act, keeping electronic components cool and ensuring the device’s longevity. It’s like having an in-built air conditioning system that works relentlessly to prevent overheating.
When you’re working with electronics, safety is paramount. One wrong connection, and you might end up with a gadget that’s more ‘shocking’ than functional. Enter Ceramic Printed Circuit Boards, with their superior electrical insulation. Much like a conscientious electrician, they diligently prevent any unwanted flow of current, safeguarding your device from short circuits and maintaining overall stability.
Ever noticed how a sidewalk has gaps between the slabs of concrete? These are cleverly designed to allow the material to expand and contract without causing cracks. Similarly, Ceramic PCBs have a thermal expansion coefficient that’s close to silicon, a common semiconductor material. This similarity allows them to handle the heat-induced expansion and contraction of components efficiently, thus reducing mechanical stress and offering a harmonious work environment for the electronic components.
Thanks to their chemically inert nature and resistance to extreme temperatures, Ceramics PCBs are like electronic explorers, adept at operating smoothly in harsh environments. Whether it’s the heat of an automotive engine or the freezing vacuum of outer space, these PCBs can handle it all.
In the electronic world, maintaining signal integrity is crucial for the device to function properly. Thanks to their low signal loss, Ceramic PCBs ensure smooth performance, even at high frequencies. It’s like having a sound technician right inside your device, ensuring that the performance remains pitch-perfect.
As we move towards an era of sleek, compact gadgets, space management has become more important than ever. These Printed Circuit Boards’ high component density, enable the creation of smaller and lighter devices without compromising on performance. It’s like having a talented architect who makes the best possible use of limited space.
Despite the numerous advantages of Ceramic PCBs, there are a few drawbacks to consider:
If you are looking for a manufacturer with superior processing of Ceramic PCBs, FX PCB is the best in the market. We choose automated processing of ceramic manufacturing that gives us leverage over our competitors. Get the best quality PCBs from FX PCB. Visit here: https://sfxpcb.com/
I am Peter Gong. I have been working in PCB and PCBA industry for 15+ years now. I have been a part of the PCB revolution with my dedication to circuit board technologies and creative ideas. I write in FX PCB to impart my knowledge on PCB and PCBA for all circuit board lovers, manufacturers, and users.
Recent years have seen a rise in the importance of thermal management due to the proliferation of powerful, miniaturized electrical gadgets. Among the solutions that have arisen to address this challenge, Ceramic PCBs stand out due to their robust thermal conductivity and overall performance. Let’s explore how to design Ceramic PCBs for optimal thermal management.
FX PCB can provide the ALN(Aluminum oxide) and AIO203(Aluminum Nitride) Ceramic PCB, we can make ENEPIG, ENIG, Immerison silver surface,you can check the material datesheet and our capability from the below tables.
Ceramic PCB is actually made of electronic ceramic materials and can be made into various shapes.
The ceramic circuit board has the following characteristics: high-temperature resistance, high electrical insulation, low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, high thermal conductivity, good chemical stability, and the thermal expansion is almost can be coefficients of components.
Before diving into design considerations, it’s essential to appreciate what a Ceramic PCB is and why it’s an ideal candidate for optimal thermal management. To define PCB, it is also called as Printed Circuit Board. They’re usually made of advanced materials that may include Aluminum Nitride and Aluminia. Compared to traditional PCB materials like FR4 or metal-core, ceramics offer a significantly higher thermal conductivity (24-170 W/mK, depending on the ceramic type).
Overheating and subsequent component failures can be avoided because to the board’s high thermal conductivity, which allows heat to be quickly distributed throughout the board and dissipated into the environment. Thus, the choice of Ceramic PCBs can directly impact the performance and longevity of electronic devices.
One of the most crucial aspects of designing Ceramic PCBs for optimal thermal management is the selection of appropriate ceramic materials. The two most common ceramic materials used are alumina and aluminium nitride, each with its unique benefits. Alumina, for instance, is more cost-effective and offers good electrical insulation. Aluminum nitride, is a great option for high-power electronics due to its strong heat conductivity. The choice between these materials primarily depends on the balance between cost and performance requirements of the project.
Delving into the architecture of a PCB, we find it consists of a strategic arrangement of insulating and conductive layers, aptly referred to as the layer stack-up. The beauty of designing Ceramic PCBs lies in the power of thermal management you hold within your hands once you master this layer stack-up design.
One tactical approach to designing an effective layer stack-up in a Ceramic PCB is the strategic placement of power and ground planes. Particularly, placing these close to the heat-generating components on the board is a clever tactic. Imagine these planes as diligent sentinels that guard against the enemy of excess heat. They fulfill this duty by acting as heat spreaders, diligently drawing away the heat from its source and dissipating it. This effective heat dispersion reduces the temperature at the source and significantly mitigates the formation of troublesome hotspots that could jeopardize the performance of your electronics.
Dotted across the expanse of a PCB are tiny holes, known as vias. Unassuming as they may seem, these vias are vital bridges that enable electrical connection between the different layers of a PCB, contributing significantly to heat dissipation. In the world of Ceramic PCBs, you have the option of employing through vias. These special vias valiantly extend through the entire thickness of the board, forging connections where most needed.
In this context, the use of a conductive material to fill these vias is akin to adding a turbo boost to your thermal management strategy. Take copper, for instance. When used to fill vias, copper can establish an efficient thermal path, aiding in channeling heat away from high-power components and towards areas of lower thermal activity. It does not come without any complications. The design of these vias must take into account potential issues, such as the risks of thermal expansion mismatch and the need for pinpoint drilling accuracy.
Mapping out the placement of components and routing of traces on your Ceramic PCB is another crucial aspect that requires your keen attention. It’s comparable to setting up your team on a football field. You need to ensure that your high-power components, akin to your key players, are evenly distributed across the surface of your Ceramic PCB. This strategic distribution serves to prevent the buildup of heat in any single area, thus promoting an even temperature across the board.
When it comes to routing traces, the golden rule is to keep them thick and short, particularly for high current paths. Just like a well-lit highway enables smooth and swift movement of vehicles, these broad and short traces facilitate the efficient handling of high currents and augment heat dissipation.
The final act in the drama of designing Ceramic PCBs for optimal thermal management is the entrance of Thermal Interface Materials, or TIMs. Picture TIMs as a layer of thermal adhesive that binds the PCB and the heat sink. By improving the thermal connection between these two, TIMs work silently in the background to maximize heat transfer, further tipping the balance in favor of efficient thermal management.
Not only do TIMs augment heat transfer, but they also serve as an additional safeguard against component failure. By effectively carrying heat away from the components and towards the heat sink, they significantly reduce the risk of your components overheating and failing. Thus, TIMs are the unsung heroes, the final piece of the puzzle in the grand scheme of optimal thermal management in Ceramic PCBs.
Computer-aided design (CAD) tools can play a vital role in designing Ceramic PCBs for optimal thermal management. These tools allow designers to model the thermal performance of their PCB designs before they are fabricated, identifying potential issues and optimizing their designs. This is surely an efficient way to save some extra bucks and also without compromising on the quality of your PCBs.
Through these strategies, we can design Ceramic PCBs that meet the demanding thermal requirements of our increasingly powerful and miniaturized electronic devices. Ready to conquer your thermal management challenges?
I am Peter Gong. I have been working in PCB and PCBA industry for 15+ years now. I have been a part of the PCB revolution with my dedication to circuit board technologies and creative ideas. I write in FX PCB to impart my knowledge on PCB and PCBA for all circuit board lovers, manufacturers, and users.
When typical PCB substrate materials are subjected to high pressure or high temperature, failures may occur. Ceramic PCB substrate material, on the other hand, can withstand extremes of temperature, pressure, corrosion, and vibration in electronic circuits. Boards made of ceramic are excellent heat sinks because of their low coefficient of thermal expansion and strong thermal conductivity. These printed circuit boards (PCBs) excel in demanding environments, such as those found in the aerospace and automotive sectors.
In light of this, the purpose of this page is to offer a thorough introduction to ceramic PCBs, including a discussion of their properties, classifications, production technique, and potential uses.
High-temperature co-fired Ceramic PCB, low-temperature co-fired ceramic PCB, and thick film ceramic PCB is the three broad categories that may be established according to the processes of ceramic PCB production.
Common ceramic materials used in PCB production are as follows:
Concerning mechanical strength, chemical stability, thermal conductivity, and electrical characteristics, Al2O3 outshines other oxide ceramics. Alumina is the most popular choice for ceramic substrates since it is easily accessible as a raw material. Sensor circuits, shock absorbers, and engines all benefit from the usage of ceramic printed circuit boards made from Al2O3. Al2O3 ceramic Boards increase the performance and thermal efficiency of automotive circuits because of their strong thermal stability.
Substrate material AlN is notable in the PCB sector due to its strong thermal conductivity and coefficient of expansion. AlN has a thermal conductivity between 170 W/mK and 220 W/mK. This is because the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of AlN ceramic is similar to that of silicon semiconductor chips, resulting in a strong bond and a dependable assembly. AIN is employed in automotive sensor circuits because of its ability to endure high heat, corrosion, and vibration while still producing highly precise and sensitive sensor outputs.
Ceramic PCB substrates made from BeO have a heat conductivity of around nine times that of Al2O3 and are higher than aluminium. Although AlN is more chemically stable, Al2O3e has higher electrical isolation, and BeO has both. For air or liquid cooling, BeO is employed in situations where the PCB is exposed to high temperatures or in high-density PCBs with limited space.
Ceramic printed circuit boards (PCBs) have many advantages over their typical glass fibre epoxy, polyimide, polystyrene, and phenolic resin counterparts.
The values vary from around 25 to about 330 W/(m•K) depending on the material employed (alumina to beryllium, as mentioned above). Almost 20 times that of FR4 PCB. Ceramic’s superior performance and resistance to heat make it ideal for protecting electronic components from overheating.
It is hard, stable, and consistent even when temperatures rise and fall because of its exceptional interatomic connections.
When used as a substrate for a circuit board, ceramic’s high insulating properties will reduce the likelihood that heat will transfer through it, protecting its electronic components.
When it comes to complex tasks, a multi-layer ceramic PCB is a way to go. The durability of the material allows for an additional layer to be placed while still ensuring the security of the underlying parts. It performs well in demanding settings.
A ceramic PCB’s dimensional and thermal stability allows it to tolerate high frequencies. The medical and aerospace industries, which depend a lot on the reliable transmission of high-frequency data and electrical signals, will benefit from this.
Modification
Due to their potential fragility, ceramics need extra care and careful treatment during assembly and testing.
Value for money
The cost of ceramic is rather low. Overall, though, the cost is more than it would be with more conventional materials for a circuit board. With the specialized machinery required for its manufacture, the price tends to be higher.
With over a decade of expertise, FX PCB Co., Ltd has become a reliable PCB and PCBA Supplier. More than a hundred of their current clients can attest to their global reach in printed circuit board manufacturing. These are mostly long-term partners with whom we work closely. We take great pride in the fact that our customers rate us at or above 99% satisfied with our service, quality, and pricing.
MOKO was founded in 2006 and since then has served clients from over 100 different countries, providing them with comprehensive PCB solutions .
In 2015, ALLPCB opened its doors in Hangzhou, China, to provide its services in component sourcing design and fabrication. Fast and reliable electronic manufacturing services are provided to clients in more than 160 countries thanks to in-house designed online technologies and joint production facilities.
PCBWay has been in the PCB industry for over 10 years, and in that time they’ve built a solid reputation for providing reliable products and first-rate service to clients across a variety of sectors
Ceramic PCB
Hitech was founded in 1997 and has since been China’s preeminent PCB supplier. They provide their clients with a wide range of services, such as components sourcing, PCB fabrication, PCB assembly, order tracking, and quality control monitoring. benefits from an established supply chain, expert engineers, cutting-edge machinery, and stringent quality assurance measures.
Since its founding in 2006, JLCPCB has been a prominent PCB supplier in China because of its dedication to innovation and improvement. They can provide clients with PCBs that are both reliable and affordable and can be turned around in a relatively short amount of time.
ChinaPCBOne was started in 2008 to be a one-stop shop for electronic prototypes and mass production orders. The China PCB One plant in Shenzhen is in a good location that lets the company meet the needs of customers all over the world.
Ceramic PCBs, also known as ceramic-based printed circuit boards, are a type of substrate used in the manufacture of electronic devices.
They are made from a ceramic material, such as aluminum oxide or aluminum nitride, and are designed to provide improved performance and reliability compared to traditional PCBs made from FR4 or other composite materials.
Ceramic PCBs have a number of unique properties, including high thermal conductivity, high dielectric strength, and excellent chemical resistance, which make them suitable for use in a variety of demanding applications.
Despite their many benefits, the use of ceramic PCBs has been somewhat limited in the past due to their high cost and relative complexity in fabrication.
However, recent advances in ceramic materials and manufacturing techniques have led to significant progress in the development of ceramic PCB technology, and it is expected that ceramic PCBs will play an increasingly important role in a wide range of emerging technologies.
One of the key areas of focus in the development of ceramic PCBs is the development of new and improved ceramic materials.
Traditional ceramic materials, such as aluminum oxide and aluminum nitride, have excellent thermal and electrical properties, but they can be brittle and prone to cracking under certain conditions.
Researchers are working on developing new ceramic materials with improved mechanical strength and flexibility, as well as enhanced thermal and electrical performance.
One promising area of research is the use of silicon carbide (SiC) as a ceramic material for PCBs. SiC has a much higher thermal conductivity than aluminum oxide or aluminum nitride, making it an ideal choice for use in high-temperature, high-power applications.
It is also highly resistant to chemical attack and has excellent electrical insulation properties. However, SiC is more difficult to process and fabricate than other ceramic materials, and it remains to be seen how well it will scale in mass production.
Another area of research is the development of ceramic materials with improved insulation properties. Traditional ceramic materials have relatively high dielectric constants, which can limit their performance in high-frequency applications.
Researchers are exploring the use of low-k dielectric materials, such as silicon dioxide and hafnium oxide, as alternatives to traditional ceramic materials in order to improve the performance of ceramic PCBs at high frequencies.
As the demand for smaller and more complex electronic devices continues to grow, there is a trend towards miniaturization and high-density packaging in the design and fabrication of ceramic PCBs.
This requires the development of new manufacturing processes and technologies that can accurately and consistently produce small, high-precision ceramic components.
One promising approach is the use of 3D printing technology to fabricate ceramic PCBs. 3D printing allows for the production of complex, customized structures with high accuracy and precision, and it has the potential to significantly reduce the cost and lead time of ceramic PCB production. However, there are still challenges to be overcome in terms of material compatibility and the scalability of 3D printing for mass production.
Another trend in ceramic PCB design and fabrication is the integration of ceramic PCBs with other technologies, such as flexible electronics and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Ceramic PCBs are well-suited for use in flexible and wearable devices due to their high thermal conductivity, flexibility, and durability.
They are also being used in IoT applications where they can provide a robust and reliable platform for connecting and transmitting data from a wide range of sensors and devices.
One of the most promising applications for ceramic PCBs is in 5G communication systems. 5G networks require high-speed, low-latency communication, and ceramic PCBs are well-suited to meet these demands due to their high-frequency performance and excellent thermal management.
Ceramic PCBs are also being used in renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines, where they can help to improve efficiency and reliability.
In the transportation industry, ceramic PCBs are being explored for use in electric and autonomous vehicles. Ceramic PCBs can provide improved power density and thermal management for the high-power electronics used in these applications, and their robustness and durability make them well-suited for the harsh environments encountered in automotive applications.
While ceramic PCBs offer a number of benefits over traditional PCBs, there are still challenges and limitations that need to be addressed in order for them to achieve widespread adoption.
One of the main challenges is cost. Ceramic PCBs are currently more expensive to produce than traditional PCBs, and this can be a barrier to their use in mass-market applications.
However, as manufacturing technologies and processes improve, it is expected that the cost of ceramic PCBs will decrease over time.
Another limitation of ceramic PCBs is their environmental impact. The production of ceramic materials can be energy-intensive and generate significant greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, the disposal of ceramic PCBs can be a challenge due to their high melting temperature and the potential for hazardous substances to be released during the recycling process. These issues need to be carefully considered and addressed in order to ensure the sustainable development of ceramic PCB technology.
Ceramic PCBs are a promising technology with a wide range of potential applications in emerging technologies. Recent advances in ceramic materials and manufacturing techniques have paved the way for significant progress in the development of ceramic PCBs, and it is expected that they will play an increasingly important role in a variety of industries.
While there are still challenges and limitations to be addressed, the future outlook for ceramic PCB technology is positive and there is significant potential for further development and adoption in the coming years.
Conventional PCBs come with organic lamination to use as the substrate. Since electrical and electronics are advancing leaps and bounds, these PCBs are reaching high-precision and superior reliability. In this regard, ceramic PCB has become the central attraction to miniaturization experts for different electronic products.
Similarly, many ceramic PCB manufacturers have developed highly reliable, accurate, and thick ceramic PCBs. These printed circuit boards are versatile and resist chemical erosion. So, their application is soaring higher with each passing day.
Thus, SFX PCB aims to bring the best ceramic PCBs of different kinds to the market for users. We have the widest range of ceramic PCBs at our disposal for various applications.
FX PCB can provide the ALN(Aluminum oxide) and AIO203(Aluminum Nitride) Ceramic PCB, we can make ENEPIG, ENIG, Immerison silver surface,you can check the material datesheet and our capability from the below tables.
Ceramic PCB is actually made of electronic ceramic materials and can be made into various shapes.
The ceramic circuit board has the following characteristics: high-temperature resistance, high electrical insulation, low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, high thermal conductivity, good chemical stability, and the thermal expansion is almost can be coefficients of components.
Make no mistake that metal PCBs are remarkable and works fine for most electronics devices. For instance, aluminum PCBis preferred for its electrical conductivity by many experts. On the contrary, some experts use copper PCB thanks to its flexibility and superior conductivity too.
Therefore, SFX PCB built an array of ceramic printed circuit boards including standard ceramic PCB, ALN ceramic PCB, etc.
So, what does SFX ceramic PCB set apart? The following discussion might help you get the answer.
Due to such benefits, ceramic PCBs are being more popular day by day. More manufacturers are using them in high-intensity electronic devices. However, you have to understand conventional PCB using difficulties to understand ceramic PCB benefits.
We rigorously test our ceramics condition and make sure we got the best ceramic plates to work on for the electronics industry.
SFX PCB Working Process for Ceramic PCB
In general, we use aluminum oxide or nitride to manufacture the ceramic printed circuit boards. We follow a standard manufacturing procedure for these PCBs. We make sure our ceramic circuit boards are mechanical and CTE compatible to work in extreme conditions for the most advanced technologies.
Furthermore, we check the chemical resistance of the ceramic boards for the extended service before delivering them to the customers. Also, we keep the manufacturing cost of ceramic PCB as low as possible. It is vital since these boards are infamous for being costly.
Also, due to the high demand in the market, ceramic PCBs are quite challenging to obtain from the market. Thus, you are guaranteed to receive the ordered ceramic PCBs from us in a relatively short time.
These PCBs use fabricated processes during the manufacturing steps. These PCBs are in the market since the early 1950s and use epoxy or polystyrene as the primary substrate materials. Thus, the standard circuit assembly has been largely dependent on these boards.
Nonetheless, semiconductors are improving leaps and bounds. Also, SMT technology and complex circuit integration haveopened up new challenges for the traditional printed circuit boards. So, ceramic PCBs have emerged as a crucial component.
The benefit of using FX PCB made ceramic PCBs is that we offer you an excellent after-sales service. Furthermore, we are ready to make any customized printed circuit boards for your necessity.
SMT and VLSI technology has developed tremendously during the last two decades. Thus, standard printed circuit boards such as double-layer PCB and copper coin PCB have faced issues with even heat dissipation.
These PCBs have low thermal conductivity. But ceramic PCB has 90X better thermal conductivity than the standard epoxy glass fiber. Thus, it leads to a remarkable cooling facility with a higher heat dissipation capacity. Also, it has a lower junction temperature which is another benefit of using ceramic printed circuit boards over the ordinary PCBs.
Surface Mounting Technology or SMT has developed first in the early 1980s. And it has an impact on the entire electronics circuit assembly industry including mobile devices. SMT uses the direct soldering process to connect the PCBs with the electronic components. Thus, SMT is more reliable and less costly than the standard PCBs.
Also, direct soldering permits you to apply the automation process more accurately with the circuit boards. Lastly, ceramic PCBs help to reduce the actual circuit board size up to 5/6 times. So, it helps in reducing the component sizes.
Leadless Chip Career or LLC is also widely used in the SMT industry. Yet, it fails to withstand the thermal cycle challenges. So, professionals doubt its interconnecting capacity with the packaging dependability.
It happens because of the PCB and LCC connectivity incompatibility with the CTE components. Thus, professionals and industry experts now use ceramic printed circuit boards instead of the standard PCBs with their high-thermal cycle.
Furthermore, ceramic PCBs also feature greater stability and durability compared to regular circuit boards.
Ceramic printed boards are classified depending on their fabrication process. There are three types of ceramic PCBs available in the market. These types are-
The HTCC stands for high temperature co-fired ceramic. It is much like the conventional PCBs. Usually, manufacturers use adhesive, aluminum oxide, solvent, and lubricant along with the plasticizer to build the HTCC PCBs. It helps in achieving the raw ceramic.
Then, it has several coating and rolling and finally, the circuit board tracing implementation. The tracing integration is done on molybdenum or tungsten mostly. These are known as refractory metals. After that, our professionals will bake them for 48 to 60 hours in 1600°C-1800°C.
Before the boards enter the baking oven, producers will cut and laminate these boards according to their needs. It permits the users to get tailored HTCC PCB shortly. Also, our professionals focus on manufacturing the highest-quality printed circuit boards for you. You will see the application of HTCC PCBs in-
LTCC PCBs seat at the opposite end of the HTCC PCBs as it is referred to as low-temperature co-fired ceramic circuit boards. Manufacturers use adhesive, non-glass material, glass composite, and finally, crystal glass to make these boards.
Once these materials are mixed properly, they will use the gold paste to implement the necessary circuit tracing on the board. It also has high thermal and electrical conductivity. Then, it is cut and laminated to meet the project needs.
Finally, it enters into the baking oven at 900° temperature with oxidizing gas inside the oven. It improves the overall quality of the LTCC PCBs with higher shrinking tolerance and precision in the circuit tracing.
It uses both dielectric paste and thick gold paste in a repeated manner right over the printed circuit boards. Then, these boards are baked in an oxidized oven at 1000°C for the next 36-48 hours. The thick film ceramic PCBs are used widely in manufacturing large scale boards for industrial applications.
Nonetheless, its manufacturing is limited despite having huge demand due to the expensive gold-plating on the board. Thus, manufacturers produce multi-layer thick copper PCBs as an alternative to these ceramic PCBs.
Manufacturers bake the copper PCBs in nitrogen gas to avoid oxidization of the copper. It is also used in multi-layer connections.
FX PCB has been in the printed circuit board marker for quite a long time now. We have hands-on experience in developing different circuit boards for wide applications in the electronics and communication world.
These benefits are only the tip of the iceberg we offer to our customers. When you will contact us, we will disclose our tailored packages for your business. Also, SFX PCB manufacturers several other regular printed circuit boards.
Thus, with an engaging team and expert professionals, SFX PCB is always on its toes to provide you all the different types of ceramic PCBs.
Ceramic PCB has seen immense popularity due to the advancement of miniaturization technology in the electronics industry. Thus, ceramic PCB manufacturershave developed several types of these boards for versatile applications.
Furthermore, our ceramic boards are more reliable with high thermal and electrical conductivity. It comes with high-precision and high-durability too. So, it is no wonder why more and more manufacturers are opting for ceramic printed circuit boards in their use from us and we hope you join the league soon.
I am Peter Gong. I have been working in PCB and PCBA industry for 15+ years now. I have been a part of the PCB revolution with my dedication to circuit board technologies and creative ideas. I write in FX PCB to impart my knowledge on PCB and PCBA for all circuit board lovers, manufacturers, and users.
Hello Readers, What is ceramic PCB? SFX PCB works with ceramic PCB and varieties of PCB products. So, we have decided to share the definition and its uses with our readers. Ceramic PCB is a circuit board made with a ceramic base material. PCB is a short form of the printed circuit board.
It is made of electronic ceramics that can be changed into many different shapes and sizes. For having high-temperature resistance and high electrical insulation performance, it is used vastly in various fields that need better circuit boards. Some extra feature of it can be:
Before knowing what ceramic, PCB is, you need to have a good understanding of PCB.
FX PCB can provide the ALN(Aluminum oxide) and AIO203(Aluminum Nitride) Ceramic PCB, we can make ENEPIG, ENIG, Immerison silver surface,you can check the material datesheet and our capability from the below tables.
Ceramic PCB is actually made of electronic ceramic materials and can be made into various shapes.
The ceramic circuit board has the following characteristics: high-temperature resistance, high electrical insulation, low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, high thermal conductivity, good chemical stability, and the thermal expansion is almost can be coefficients of components.
PCB or printed circuit boards are made by printing conductive pathways into a board that connects transistors, resistors, and integrated circuits.
In the case of Ceramic printed circuit boards, the conductive pathways are printed in ceramic baseboards. This essentially improves the performance quality of such circuit boards.
The ceramic used in this case is not the typical ones that are utilized in floors; instead, it is a special kind of material called ‘fine ceramic.’ It is engineered with different chemical substances for specific uses.
A ceramic printed circuit board is made of metal cores. Aluminum nitride boards are suitable for high thermal conductivity. The main drawback of it is the cost. Aluminum nitride boards cost a lot. For less cost, many use aluminum oxide boards, which provide less thermal conductivity comparing to the previous one.
In this case, one can increase the conductivity by using silver traces covered with glass. The glass is primarily used for protection. For using in delicate devices, silver corrosion can become a problem, and for this issue, some use gold plating.
Ceramic PCB is comparatively more pricey than other PCB. But if we think deeply, it is actually a cheaper option because it requires less maintenance for being a high-quality product. This is why many tech industries are switching to Ceramic to provide their customers with better and safer products. SFX PCB Supplies good quality PCB products.
The ceramic PCB made on ceramic is considered a type of metal core PCB. While other circuit boards such as FR4 or Aluminum can be used for electrical equipment, Ceramic circuit boards provide extra safety. The PCB also keeps the devices risk-free. Typically, Ceramic board is used in the followings:
Ceramic board’s high electrical insulation and high-temperature resistance performance refrain electrical devices from having any kind of damages. The rapid increase of Ceramic usage in lessening the complexity of circuit boards and increasing the performance. Consider using Ceramic if you need to use your devices in:
Reliability and Durability: ceramic PCBs have exceptional reliability and durability With high mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and resistance to moisture, chemicals, and environmental factors, they can withstand demanding conditions and provide long-term performance in critical applications. Although ceramic PCBs may have higher manufacturing costs compared to traditional PCBs, their unique benefits justify the investment for applications that require superior thermal management, high temperature resistance, high voltage capabilities, miniaturization, signal integrity, and long-term reliability.
High Voltage Applications & Signal Integrity: Ceramic PCBs have excellent electrical insulation properties, enabling them to handle high voltages without breakdown or leakage. This makes them suitable for power electronics, electric vehicles, and other applications that require high voltage capabilities. Ceramic materials have low dielectric loss and excellent signal propagation characteristics, which helps to maintain signal integrity and reduce signal distortion. This is particularly important for high-frequency and high-speed applications, such as RF communication systems and high-speed data transmission.
Since ceramic printed circuit boards come with such immense benefits, it’s no wonder different industries will use them vigorously.
Ceramic circuit boards serve the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries as they require high-quality materials for using in their devices. Industries that need higher heat-resistance should switch to ceramic PCB even though it’s a costly solution. We think what is ceramic PCB is clear to you all. If you have any confusion please let us know.
When selecting a ceramic PCB production company, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure you choose the right one for your specific needs. Here are some key considerations:
Expertise and Experience:
Look for a company with a proven track record and extensive experience in manufacturing ceramic PCBs. Assess their expertise in ceramic materials, PCB design, and manufacturing processes. A company with deep knowledge and a solid reputation in producing high-quality ceramic PCBs is more likely to deliver satisfactory results.
Quality Assurance:
Evaluate the company’s quality control measures and certifications. Ensure they adhere to industry standards and have robust quality assurance processes in place. Look for certifications such as ISO 9001 to ensure their commitment to quality. Additionally, inquire about their testing procedures and inspection protocols to ensure the reliability and durability of the ceramic PCBs they produce.
Manufacturing Capabilities:
Assess the company’s manufacturing capabilities and production capacity. Consider factors such as their ability to handle your desired PCB size, complexity, and volume requirements. Look for companies that employ advanced equipment and technologies to ensure precise manufacturing and consistent quality.
Design Support:
Check if the company offers design support services. This includes assistance with PCB layout, material selection, and optimization for thermal management and signal integrity. A company that provides comprehensive design support can help optimize your ceramic PCBs for better performance and functionality.
Material Options:
Inquire about the range of ceramic materials the company offers. Different ceramic materials have specific properties, such as thermal conductivity and dielectric constant, which can impact the performance of your PCBA. Ensure the company can provide the ceramic material that best suits your application requirements.
Customer Support and Communication:
Evaluate the company’s responsiveness and willingness to address your inquiries and concerns. Effective communication and excellent customer support are crucial for a successful partnership. Choose a company that values clear and timely communication and provides ongoing support throughout the manufacturing process.
Cost and Timelines:
Consider the pricing structure and manufacturing lead times offered by the company. While cost is an important factor, it should be balanced with the company’s reputation, quality, and capabilities. Ensure the company can meet your production timelines and deliver the ceramic PCBs within your desired timeframe.
References and Reviews:
Seek references or read reviews from other customers who have worked with the company. Their feedback can provide insights into the company’s performance, customer satisfaction, and adherence to deadlines.
FX PCB chooses automated processing of ceramic manufacturing. It allows us to control the oxidation and eliminate it. So, you are ensured with some high-quality ceramic PCBs from us.
So, here we end our discussion on what is ceramic PCB. It is one of the widespread and newest PCB types in the industry. Its thermal conductivity and various properties have made it a premium substrate material in the communication, defense, medical, and electronic industry.
Related Tag: Glass PCB
I am Peter Gong. I have been working in PCB and PCBA industry for 15+ years now. I have been a part of the PCB revolution with my dedication to circuit board technologies and creative ideas. I write in FX PCB to impart my knowledge on PCB and PCBA for all circuit board lovers, manufacturers, and users.
Ceramic printed circuit boards (PCB) or ceramic PCB are getting more popular amongst circuit boards for their great performance. When you are looking for the best type of ceramic PCBs, you need to be aware of some essential information. By measuring all the details and comparing it to other products, you can come to a decision that will help you with purchasing. In this article, you will find a thorough discussion about ceramic circuit boards and all the essential details. By knowing every small information, you can choose which type of Ceramic board is the best choice for you. Before finding the best ceramic PCB we need to have clear idea about what is ceramic PCB?
FX PCB can provide the ALN(Aluminum oxide) and AIO203(Aluminum Nitride) Ceramic PCB, we can make ENEPIG, ENIG, Immerison silver surface,you can check the material datesheet and our capability from the below tables. Ceramic PCB is actually made of electronic ceramic materials and can be made into various shapes.
The ceramic circuit board has the following characteristics: high-temperature resistance, high electrical insulation, low dielectric constant, low dielectric loss, high thermal conductivity, good chemical stability, and the thermal expansion is almost can be coefficients of components.
People used t ceramic PCB in the LED field, high power semiconductor modules and semiconductor coolers,
Circuit boards are the most essential part of a device. The definition of typical circuit boards and Ceramic boards differ due to their different materials.
Printed circuit boards are the result of putting conductive pathways into a board that connects transistors, resistors, and integrated circuits. They are often used in multilayer by putting a non-conductive substrate in between. Before printed circuit boards, wire wrap and point-to-point construction systems were used but now they are hardly seen. The manufacturing and assembly of printed circuit boards are pretty easy and can be done automated. Laying out the circuit is hard and needs expert hands.
Ceramic PCBs are printed circuit boards with a ceramic base. In this case, conductive pathways are printed on Ceramic-based materials. It is better than metalcore or FR4 circuit boards for its higher conductivity and many other great features that make Ceramic-based circuits the best. Ceramic boards were made for fitting compact spaces while not having problems due to heat dissipation or the coefficient of thermal expansion. They are superior to traditional circuit boards in many ways which will be discussed below.
Ceramic boards are made of high-quality materials. These are not the ceramic that your floor has. Ceramic boards consist of metal cores. The metal cores are made of Aluminum Nitride, Beryllium oxide or Aluminum oxide. 96% to 98% of these materials are present in the circuit. Aluminum nitride and Beryllium oxide give the best performance but when you have a lower budget, the Aluminum oxide can be chosen. Aluminum nitride circuit boards’ conductivity ranges from 150-170W/mK while Aluminum oxide’s conductivity is 29W/mK which is much inferior to Alumina-based circuit boards. As a result, for more conductivity, you should choose Alumina-based printed circuit boards.
The conductor materials differ in different cases. For thick or thin-film technology, materials such as silver palladium (AgPd) or gold palladium (AuPd) are used. Direct Copper Bonded (DCB) conductors use only copper. The gold conductor is far better from silver for not having silver-corrosion problem but the conductivity can be increased by using silver traces covered with glass. While using delicate pieces of machinery, gold is a better choice.
There are mainly three basic types of Ceramic-based printed circuit boards. These are differentiated according to the versatility of manufacturing methods. The three types are:
Thick film ceramic boards have a conductor layer that exceeds 10 microns. The thickness is less than FR4 or DCB board. Using thick-film will allow us to utilize:
Thick film ceramic boards have a conductor layer that is less than 10 micron. These boards are smaller in size and much more expensive. It is mostly suitable for microwave circuits.
Direct Copper Bonded (DCB) circuit boards where the aluminum nitride or aluminum-oxide is directly bonded with the copper foil under high temperature. Being very thin, it is good for:
Like FR4 PCB, it can be etched into different layouts.
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For their high-quality thermal and mechanical advantages, Ceramic PCBs are used in various fields. The board’s unique feature and high thermal conductivity have enabled it to be used in devices big and small.
All RAM requires high-quality ceramic-based boards. Ceramic board is used in DDR SDRAM and other parts that are related to memory. As the memory module needs to be well-made and should have the ability to endure extreme usage, Ceramic-based boards are used.
Ceramic allows more components than traditional PCBs on the same surface. Ceramic’s capacity for facing weight is very high. This is why ceramic-based PCBs are better than conventional boards when used as multilayer interconnected boards.
Transmission and receiving modules were first created using Ceramic PCB by American firm Westinghouse. Since radars need to be highly accurate, the board used in them should have compatible CTE and high thermal conductivity. Ceramic boards are very useful for receiving and transmission modules.
This may sound like using circuit boards to make circuit boards. LTCC or low-temperature ceramic circuits have been used by different computing firms that assisted them in making supreme-quality analog and digital boards with excellent circuit tracing. By creating a host of lightweight circuits, personal computers have become lightweight.
HTCCs (High-temperature ceramic circuits) and LTCCs (Low-temperature ceramic circuits) are used in solar panels and many photovoltaic panels. To ensure high-quality thermal conductivity and longevity, PV panels use multilayer ceramic boards.
Wireless chargers are getting more popular. These wireless transmitters have been made possible by using Ceramic printed circuit boards. Their high-quality thermal properties make them perfect for electric power transmitter. By creating an electromagnetic field, Ceramic boards can transfer electrical energy. Sometimes, the receiver is also made from Ceramic-based circuit boards.
Ceramic circuit boards are mostly used in this field. Thick-film ceramic boards have superior thermal efficiency. Since LED lights produce a lot of heat (70%), it is essential for a system to have high-quality material that can withstand the heat. Ceramic boards do not have any adverse effects due to the immense heat and that’s why it is perfect for high power LED.
Using the micro-fabrication method, semiconductor chips have superior tracing with high integration and tracing. A modern-day semiconductor chip needs Ceramic circuit boards to function well. This is mostly because it needs to be fitted into tight space and traditional PCBs fail to do that.
There are some great features of ceramic printed circuit boards that are not available in other PCBs. Such features have made it unique and usable in conditions that traditional PCBs can’t withstand. There can be a lot of advantages that can be mentioned but the following ones are the most well-known. Know that the following are not specified to a specific type of Ceramic board but apply to general ceramic-based circuit boards.
Thermal conductivity is a term that means the ability to transfer heat energy. The thermal conductivity of the Ceramic circuit board is higher than any other PCBs. This high thermal conductivity allows it to be used in high temperature as it can withstand it very well and don’t get damaged at all. For high durability of electrical devices and great performance, many use ceramic boards as it gives good temperature control. Traditional PCBs can get easily damaged by excessive heat and that’s why high-powered LED lights use Ceramic PCB. The thermal conductivity values are:
Ceramic can allow easy multi-layering for having high mechanical strength. It can easily support the weight of other components which lets anyone have multiple layers. More layer of such circuit boards means it the device can do more complex works. This results in increased performance for devices.
Having good insulation leaves a board unaffected from any type of voltage issues. Typically printed circuit boards face a lot of problems for voltage-related issues. In the case of Ceramic printed circuit boards, such issues don’t occur since Ceramic has very high-quality insulation. Such insulation lets Ceramic-based PCBs insulate the electrical resistance effectively. It also gives extra safety with its ability to withstand the inconsistency of voltage. By using a ceramic-based PCB, an electrical device has better protection against voltage problems which results in safer and more durable products.
Ceramic-based boards have low dielectric constant. What it does is allowing the board to work perfectly even in high temperature and high humidity environment. As a result, in extreme conditions, a Ceramic board is more likely to be able to work without any problems than traditional PCBs. It does not only adds to the safety of an electric device but also increases the quality.
We know that metal expands when it gets the touch of heat. It causes a lot of issues in a Circuit board and sometimes they get heavily damaged. To keep the thermal expansion at a minimum level, you should use the Ceramic PCB. Ceramic has a very high heat capacity and will not expand in contact with heat. This is another criteria where Ceramic boards take the win.
Ceramic boards are used in aerospace. Its high cosmic ray resistance makes it suitable for such a field. Space has a very high quantity of cosmic rays and radiation. Such radiation can damage anything including boards. General PCBs can get damaged over time with the contact of radiation. This is why ceramic PCBs are used in aerospace.
One thing that developers have always wanted is circuit boards to be smaller and fit compact spaces. Thanks to Ceramic boards that now complex works can be done in a small space. That is why we have smaller devices that can work great.
Ceramic boards are very durable as they can withstand extreme heat and pressure. They work well because of Ceramic’s high-quality weight and heat withstand capacity. They last longer than traditional circuit boards and this is why they’re a better choice.
There are only a few disadvantages that can be found in ceramic PCBs. If considering all the advantages and flaws, Ceramic PCB surely takes the win amongst all other boards. Some of the main disadvantages are stated below.
There is a reason why Ceramic-based circuit boards are mostly used in aerospace and complex machinery. They are more expensive compared to other printed circuit boards. For this reason, such PCBs are hardly found in household electrical devices. But one thing to consider in this case is the after cost. Other printed circuit boards might get damaged and for repairing or replacing, you might have to spend an extra amount. On the other hand, Ceramic boards are very durable and you won’t have to worry about repair costs.
Handling Ceramic-based boards can be very complex as the material is fragile and small. If any problems occur with the board, it will take some effort to fix it. As Ceramic PCBs are made for tight spaces, they are very small and this makes them even harder to handle.
Ceramic printed circuit boards are scarce. The scarcity of these boards makes them more expensive. Unlike other circuit boards, Ceramic-based boards have low availability. This makes them hard to find. You might have to spend some time until you find your preferred circuit board. There are some online selling services that provide high-quality Ceramic boards but there is no exception to the high price. Ceramic PCBs are also made in smaller quantities which adds to the scarcity.
Many factors make Ceramic printed circuit board different from other PCBs. Some of the main factors are:
Ceramic circuit boards have high-quality materials such as aluminum nitride or aluminum oxide. Such materials are generally better than the materials used in other PCBs as they can withstand a high amount of heat and have higher conductivity.
Making a circuit board multilayer enables it for heavy-duty works. Ceramic has a high-quality weight lifting capacity. For that, it has a high multilayer ability than other boards. Multilayer PCBs serve by giving an increased performance than a single PCB. Another factor is, traditional PCBs take up a lot of space while being in Multilayer while Ceramic-based printed circuit boards take up small space.
Ceramic circuit boards are used in devices that need to be able to withstand high temperatures and voltage. Typical household items generally have traditional PCBs installed. Devices that have high heat emission or need extreme precision used ceramic PCB. For example, high powered LEDs that emit extreme heat. In this case, using traditional PCB is not a good idea.
Looks don’t matter but it is worth mentioning. Ceramic circuit boards look stronger and have an aesthetic value to it. Traditional PCBs don’t have much good look and one can easily differentiate both of them by just looking.
Ceramic boards are very compact. They are not big in size which makes them a great choice for small devices. On the other hand, all other circuit boards are bigger and take up much space. Being smaller, it is harder to handle.
Ceramic-based circuit boards are typically higher in price compared to general PCBs. Prices can differ according to the quality and the materials of aboard. Ceramic PCBs can cost as low as 0.15 to 0.40 USD per piece but you have to be sure of the quality. Single-sided and double-sided boards differ in prices. Consider having a higher budget for better products. If you buy Alumina-based boards, it might cost you a little more because it is a high-quality material. For lower budgets, you can choose, aluminum oxide. In the case of tracing, you can choose silver or copper if you have a lower budget but gold is the best amongst all tracing materials but it costs a lot more.
For making a worthy purchase, always consider a few important factors before buying Ceramic PCBs. All little factors can play a huge role in electronic devices and that’s why they have to be known well. Some of the most important factors are:
As we have mentioned previously, Ceramic boards are made of Aluminum Nitride, Beryllium oxide or Aluminum oxide. If you want to have high-quality circuit boards, conditions buying boards that have Aluminum nitride, or Beryllium oxide. For a lower budget, you can consider buying ones with Aluminum oxide. You need to understand which one is used in which cases so that you can decide easily. Alumina-based boards have higher conductivity and used for complex devices.
When you’re buying a thin-film board, consider choosing gold plated ones since gold is much better than silver. Gold is also much more expensive than silver and for a lower budget, you can consider having silver. Silver traces might get damaged for silver corrosion issues while gold traces have hardly any issues.
For professional usage and utilization in complex pieces of machinery, use thin-plate Ceramic PCBs as they fit into compact spaces very well. If you want your board to be etched into different layouts, you can buy Direct Copper Bonded (DCB), circuit boards.
Using a Ceramic-based circuit board for simple devices is a bad idea. It will bring loss to a manufacturer. Only use Ceramic boards when the device is delicate and needs extra durability and functionality. If you need Ceramic boards for LED applications, choose Aluminum oxide as a base material as they are cheaper in price compared to Alumina-based circuit boards. Aluminum oxide is also suitable for sensor modules. For high powered LEDs that emit a high amount of heat, you need to use alumina-based ceramic boards. Such boards are also suitable for sensors and testing components as well as ICs.
Alumina (Al2O3) Ceramic Substrate has a bending strength of 400 Mpa. The material is slightly fragile and needs care to be handled.
For a substance, the ratio of permittivity and permittivity in space is known as a dielectric constant. With good dielectric content, a conductor is able to withstand a high amount of radiation and cosmic rays.
Aluminum nitride and beryllium oxide are the two best amongst Ceramic PCBs with high heat-resistance capacity and better durability. They have high conductivity and better performance than Aluminum oxide boards.
You can use Gold, Silver or Copper. Gold is the best one amongst them with a very small probability of damage. Using silver might bring problems because of the silver corrosion issues. Copper is the cheapest one amongst all three.
The breakdown voltage of an alumina-based board is 34 KV/mm. Ceramic can withstand higher voltage compared to other circuit boards which makes it exceptional.
Ceramic printed circuit boards have high-quality frequency performance than the traditional boards that range from low to mid.
Ceramic boards can function in temperature as high as 350° C. Its high thermal conductivity makes it the best material for using in high-temperature environments.
CTE stands for the coefficient of thermal expansion that refers to the expansion of materials due to heat. Ceramic has very low thermal expansion and can stay still in extreme temperatures.
Ceramic PCBs are the answer to many great problems we had before with traditional circuit boards. With the utilization of Ceramic-based circuit boards, a company or brand can produce higher-quality devices that are able to withstand high temperatures. Using Ceramic is a milestone in the field of printed circuit boards and it is now used in great quantities. To be on the competition, a brand has to start utilizing these materials for providing better devices to clients. Ceramic boards are truly the future.
I am Peter Gong. I have been working in PCB and PCBA industry for 15+ years now. I have been a part of the PCB revolution with my dedication to circuit board technologies and creative ideas. I write in FX PCB to impart my knowledge on PCB and PCBA for all circuit board lovers, manufacturers, and users.
Rigid PCB vs Ceramic PCB, have you any idea which one is for you? Do not worry, we – SFX PCB will discuss this topic today.
One of the biggest dilemma consumers often faces while purchasing PCBs is choosing between a Rigid PCB and a Ceramic PCB. The main question which arises is which one is better? In order to come to the conclusion regarding the smart choice between the two, we need to compare both of them with similar parameters
A Rigid PCB is an inflexible and a solid circuit board. In simpler words, a rigid PCB cannot be bent or disfigured. A Rigid PCB can be of three types – Single-Sided, Double-Sided or a Multilayer. After it has been made, a Rigid PCB cannot be folded into any other shape or size. The main components used in the manufacturing of a Rigid PCB is a solid substrate with copper tracks. The technology used for manufacturing is Wave Soldering, SMT (Surface Mountain Technology) and Hand Soldering.
A Ceramic PCB has a base of Ceramic. It is usually used in areas subjected to high temperature and pressure. Ceramic PCBs provide suitable substrates for electronic circuits having a thermal conductivity which is fairly high and a low CTE (Low Expansion Coefficient). It can replace a traditional PCB with attractive improvements such as less complex design and better performance. It is used in a variety of industries such as Automotive Industries, Aerospace Industries, etc.
After comparing the characteristics of both the printed circuit boards, the only suitable conclusion that can be drawn is that Ceramic PCBs are better as compared to Rigid PCBs. This conclusion was made after carefully comparing each and every aspect. Firstly, thermal conductivity has been proven to be the best in Ceramic PCBs. The higher thermal conductivity facilitates in controlling the temperature which in turn helps in avoiding damage caused by temperature.
Secondly, It provides better performance as compared to Rigid PCB because of the fact that multi-layering is easily allowed. It also has high-quality insulation, allowing it to insulate electrical resistance properly. Ceramic boards also do not allow high thermal expansion and thus help in avoiding great damage. Another feather in the cap of Ceramic PCBs is that they have high resistance to the harmful cosmic rays.
With respect to all the proven points stated above, it is safe to say that the conclusion that Ceramic PCB is better than Rigid PCB is totally accurate and fairly sensible.
I am Peter Gong. I have been working in PCB and PCBA industry for 15+ years now. I have been a part of the PCB revolution with my dedication to circuit board technologies and creative ideas. I write in FX PCB to impart my knowledge on PCB and PCBA for all circuit board lovers, manufacturers, and users.
Have you any idea of Flex PCB vs ceramic PCB? SFX PCB will discuss about this topic.
Flexible and ceramic PCB is very popular amongst buyers but which one is better? To know that we have to compare both of them. But before that, we need to know their definition and uses.
Flexible PCB is also called flexible circuits. It is a kind of technology used for assembling electronic circuit by mounting electronic devices over flexible plastic layers or coverings. The coverings are either polyimide or PEEK. Besides flex circuits can be printed over silver screen made up of polyester. Flex circuits are manufactured using identical components of printed circuit boards (PCB), therefore they are called flex PCB. Ceramic PCB is used in the following technologies.
If a person wants to use PCB in higher pressure, higher insulation in higher temperature than the ceramic PCB would be the best choice apart from MCPCB. Many of the local users find the material used for the ceramic boards to be more reliable than any other board. This is just because they provide suitable layers for electronic circuits which usually have high thermal conductivity and low expansion coefficient.
The ceramic PCB is highly and can replace any other circuit board with an additional lesser complex design and increased performance. Ceramic PCB also works on very high temperatures such as up to 350-degree celsius. Using a ceramic PCB can result in overall lower system costs and can be very effective as compared to its cost.
The material used for making ceramic PCB is metal cores. Aluminum nitride is used for providing high thermal conductivity which is greater than 150w/mK. Aluminum oxide boards are used instead of aluminum nitride boards because they are less expensive. Since both the material provides almost the same thermal conductivity, oxide boards are preferred due to its lesser pricing.
Ceramic boards are superior to flexible boards due to some reasons which can be exploited over certain application. One significant difference between them is the material used. The ceramic circuit boards are made up of either aluminum oxide or aluminum nitride which is of more superior quality than the material used in flexible circuits which are made up of polyimide or PEEK.
The flexible PCB has lesser thermal conductivity as compared to the materials used for ceramic boards. Aluminum oxide is comparatively 20 times more thermally conductive as FR4 along with aluminum nitride and silicon carbide which is comparatively 100 times more thermally conductive. Boron used In ceramic boards is so far of the highest conductivity.
Ceramic boards do not require metal planes, thermal vias on its inner layers and fans, unlike the flex PCB. It is commonly said that higher thermal conductivity tends to be a good electrical conductor. The electric conductivity of ceramic boards is somewhat low which is not such a big problem as it can be increased by doping.
The lower thermal conductivity of the Flexible boards often leads to the problem of having hot spots on the surface and it affects the layers of the inner circuit as well, which are not suitable for heat transport as it takes place throughout the process. The risk could be increased due to the mismatch in the expansion of materials due to heat between FR4 and copper resulting in stress created over the thermal process of these boards. The hot baking process becomes easy for multilayer PCBs as the material integrates directly into the inner layers of the ceramic PCB which is not possible in a PCB made up of FR4.
I am Peter Gong. I have been working in PCB and PCBA industry for 15+ years now. I have been a part of the PCB revolution with my dedication to circuit board technologies and creative ideas. I write in FX PCB to impart my knowledge on PCB and PCBA for all circuit board lovers, manufacturers, and users.
Before learning the Advantages and Disadvantages of Multilayer PCBs, It is better to learn some basic nature of the printed circuit boards. SFX PCB decides to share some basic knowledge of PCBs so that all the advantages and disadvantages will be clear to all. Let’s start…
In the development of printed circuit boards, it has been an important feature for PCBs to be smaller and more complex. This trend has resulted in many new circuit boards that fit into compact location and this factor allowed us to improve our devices. But there were following problems that traditional PCB had:
Ceramic PCBs are the answer to solve these issues. Ceramic printed circuit board has a base of ceramic with gold or silver tracing. Even though these ceramic boards are newer products, they have gained a lot of popularity due to the high functionality. A ceramic-based board is a great improvement to older machines but it does have a few disadvantages. Know that there are different fabrication methods for multilayer ceramic boards and they differ in performance and quality.
Multilayer flex PCBs offer exceptional flexibility while providing multiple circuit layers for complex electronic designs.
Discover the benefits and capabilities of these advanced printed circuit boards for your projects.
The PCB is made up of multiple layers of thin, flexible material called Multilayer flex PCB, which is widely used in various applications such as automotive, aerospace, medical, industrial electronics, and consumer electronics.
Multilayer flexible printed circuit board is just like a sandwich, as it has copper foil between layers of insulating material. The layers are interconnected with the help of vias and through holes.
By printing gold and dielectric paste on a ceramic base, these boards are heated in temperature slightly lower than a thousand degrees (1000°). Copper or gold is used and utilization of nitrogen gas prevents oxidation resulting in higher durability and quality.
LTCC stands for low-temperature co-fired ceramic. For high thermal conductivity, the traces are made from gold. The boards are heated at 900°C. This type of PCB used co-firing which is done by combusting non-glass, glass components, or glass crystals simultaneously.
HTCC stands for high-temperature co-fired ceramic. It uses lubricator, adhesive, plasticizer, solvent, and aluminum-oxide. The tracing is made from molybdenum or tungsten which are very good for taking a lot of heat. The heating temperature is between 1600°C to 1700°C. These boards are usually smaller and better.
Ceramic multilayer PCBs come with a lot of features that are not present in traditional circuit boards. These advantages make it better than any other printed circuit board. The advantages mentioned are not specified to a specific kind of ceramic PCB. Instead, these are the general advantages that can be found in most multilayer circuit boards that have a ceramic base. Some of the advantages are:
Thermal conductivity means the ability to transfer heat energy. Ceramic has very good thermal conductivity. Higher thermal conductivity allows the device to control temperature and not get damaged from excessive heat. High-quality products use ceramic on the circuit boards so that they have better durability and temperature control. This is the best feature of multilayer ceramic PCB and also the main reason for it being used in aerospace.
Ceramic can allow easy multi-layering for having high mechanical strength. It can easily support the weight of other components which lets anyone have multiple layers. More layer of such circuit boards means it the device can do more complex works. This results in increased performance for devices.
Typical circuit boards often face problems for inconsistencies in voltage amount. But ceramic-based circuit boards don’t have such issues. Ceramic has very high-quality insulation that allows it to insulate electrical resistance effectively. It has a high voltage withstand capacity for increased safety. When a ceramic PCB is used in any electrical device, it has better protection of voltage problems.
In high temperature and high humidity environment, ceramic boards have good stability. This is due to the low dielectric constant that allows it to be undamaged in extreme conditions. It adds to the safety and the quality of any device.
Some materials can expand in touch with heat. This can’t be allowed in a circuit board as it may bring great damage to the device. This is why ceramic printed circuit boards have low thermal expansion. Ceramic can maintain its size at high temperatures.
Ceramic PCBs can resist cosmic rays greatly. This feature is very important for aerospace since space has a high amount of radiation and cosmic rays. General PCBs might get damaged over time for radiation as a result, ceramic-based PCBs are a better option.
Ceramic printed circuit boards are very small in size and that allows for greater innovation. Devices that were known as a computer years ago now are inside our mobile phones. This is why being compact is very important for circuit boards.
There are only a few disadvantages that can be found in ceramic PCBs. They are:
Ceramic boards cost more than traditional boards. There is a reason why it is mostly used in aerospace and high-tech products. This is, arguably, ceramics circuit boards’ main disadvantage. But consider its performance, the price is not too much. In fact, it will save you from future costs for repairs and will provide better customer satisfaction that will increase your brand’s reputation.
Ceramic boards are fragile. That means they are hard to be handled and need extra effort. As a result, it would take much time to fix it if it gets damaged. Another factor that comes into play is its size. Ceramic PCBs are very compact and made for tight spaces. But the effort of handling is worth it considering its service and quality.
Compared to other circuit boards, ceramic-based circuit boards have low availability. It is not something you can easily find. There are some online selling services that offer ceramic boards but their quality needs to be checked. And when you’re looking for fine ceramic, the search can take some time to find the right board you want. The scarcity of it adds to the price.
Considering the number of advantages of ceramic PCBs, the disadvantages are not so many. This is why ceramic boards are the best choice amongst any other typical boards. Before buying it, you can compare it to different types of printed circuit boards and find out which one would be great for use. But when it comes to quality, don’t hesitate to buy ceramic-based boards.
I am Peter Gong. I have been working in PCB and PCBA industry for 15+ years now. I have been a part of the PCB revolution with my dedication to circuit board technologies and creative ideas. I write in FX PCB to impart my knowledge on PCB and PCBA for all circuit board lovers, manufacturers, and users.
