Introduction
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) allow you to verify the design functionalities in your prototype. They are easy to fabricate, and you can test your designs and correct any errors as needed before you dedicate your resources to full production. You save a lot of time and money testing out your designs first with a suitable prototype PCB.
What Are Rogers PCBs?
Rogers is one of the leading laminate brands used in the manufacturing of circuit boards. Rogers PCBs are built using advanced materials, making them durable and robust, which is why they’re a popular choice among manufacturers and electronic product designers. For example, the Rogers Fire Retardant 4 (FR4) substrates feature decreased signal losses and have a more comprehensive dielectric constant range.
Some have higher thermal resistances, an excellent option when designing devices that are supposed to withstand scorching and harsh environments.
Types of Rogers PCBs
Different types of Rogers PCBs feature unique properties, which can benefit your design and application. Here are some of the most commonly used types:
- Rogers 3006: Provides excellent electrical and mechanical stability and removes dielectric constant (Dk) step change.
- Rogers 3003: Best-suited for 5G wireless and automotive radar applications.
- Rogers 3010: Features advanced ceramic-filled PTFE, which is a cost-effective solution.
- Rogers 4003: This PCB doesn’t support bromination.
- Rogers 4835: Offers better oxidation resistance, useful for applications with extreme temperatures.
- Rogers 4360G2: Provides a better balance between performance and processing capability.
- Rogers 4350B: Provides stable Dk control and low loss capabilities.
- Rogers RT5880: This one is reinforced with glass microfibers, best suited for high-frequency applications.
- Rogers 6002: Best-suited for multi-layered board designs.
- Rogers 6010: Best for electronic and microwave applications and circuit size reduction.
Rogers PCB Applications and Materials
Rogers PCBs are the substrates of choice when designing devices and parts for aerospace, defense and mission-critical applications. These printed circuit boards are usually produced using woven glass reinforced ceramics and hydrocarbons. In addition, the substrates are processed according to the current FR4 standards, which significantly improves their dielectric strength.
These are more cost-effective when designing circuit boards than polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Given its properties, manufacturers also use Rogers substrates to improve the known deficiencies of PTFE. For instance, these circuit boards have low dielectric loss allowing them to better process high-frequency signals. Manufacturers use them to produce cellular base stations, high-frequency satellite heads, radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, power amplifiers, radars and sensors.
The materials can be classified into three categories, laminates, bonding materials and metal claddings:
- Laminates: These materials can be constructed from hydrocarbons or woven glass fibers. It’s the type best suited for designing antenna-grade components and devices.
- Bonding Materials: These can be thermal electrically conductive adhesive film (TECA) made with ceramic PTFE and hydrocarbon.
- Metal Claddings: These materials can be resistive foil, electrodeposited reverse treated and rolled.
These materials have a broad set of applications in various fields, such as the following:
1. Computer Technology: They can be used in the design of advanced driver assistance systems and other similar technology.
2. Aeronautic Engineering: They’re used in designing and constructing backhaul radios and aircraft collision avoidance systems.
3. RF Engineering: Manufacturers use them to build RF identification tags and power amplifiers.
4. Automotive Engineering: They’re used in the production of car radars and sensors and automated test equipment.
5. Telecommunications: PCBs have applications in manufacturing 5G stations, microwave equipment, base station antennas and direct broadcast satellites.
Why Choose Rogers PCB
Rogers PCBs offer several advantages over other materials and substrates:
- They feature a steady high-frequency performance.
- They can match trace the dimensions and locations.
- In space applications, they offer outgassing reduction.
- They can enhance impedance control.
- These PCBs provide excellent thermal management.
- They’re easy to fabricate and can be made as thin as 0.1 mm.
- The materials have solid dimensional stability.
- They have low thermal expansion and moisture absorption.
Factors To Consider When Shopping for Rogers PCBs
PCB fabricators can tell you which substrates will work best for the project you have in mind. However, it is best to understand the design and application requirements yourself when designing your prototype. There are several factors you should look into when selecting the right PCBs:
Decomposition Temperature
The decomposition temperature of a PCB should be set beyond its maximum temperature. Different PCBs have varying minimum and maximum temperature resistances. You should select the appropriate PCB based on the intended application and material you’ll use. In addition, you should have a reversal mechanism if the PCB temperature exceeds the calculated upper limit, usually around 350 degrees Celsius.
Thermal Expansion Coefficient
Like other production materials, printed circuit boards expand when they heat up to a specific temperature. PCB is designed to withstand extreme heat with limits equal to the glass transition temperature (140 °C to 370 °C). When it begins to exceed that temperature range, it will start to expand. The rate at which PCB expands beyond these temperatures is called the thermal expansion coefficient.
Select the PCB board according to the corresponding parts per million (PPM) measuring the expansion coefficient. This allows you to select materials with better thermal stability.
Moisture Absorption
Another critical factor in the PCB manufacturing process is moisture absorption. Ideally, these boards should be designed for zero absorption, so they shouldn’t take in water. However, in reality, given the materials used to construct them, PCB will eventually absorb water with prolonged moisture exposure.
Nevertheless, Rogers PCB has very low moisture absorption rates ranging from 0.01% and 0.2%, which means they have better electrical and thermal properties. Therefore, select the board with the ideal absorption rate that works for your design and intended application.
Dielectric Constant
The dielectric constant (Dk) refers to the charge stored in the material used to construct PCB. This factor is crucial in applications and designs with higher operating frequencies. If you’re looking for higher voltage and capacity, choose a PCB with a higher Dk. Rogers PCBs can reach higher levels up to 3.66, which is best suited for point-to-point microwave links.
Rogers PCB FAQs
Q: What factors do you need to consider in the assembly process?
A: When working with Rogers PCBs, you need to look into the layers of copper and laminate materials and the different types of PCBs used in your production process.
Q: What materials do you need to consider?
A: You need to pay attention to the board material such as copper laminates, high-frequency circuit materials, composite, dielectric, and ceramic materials.
Q: What electrical and mechanical properties should we pay attention to when working with Rogers PCBs?
A: You should regularly check moisture absorption rates, absorption percentages, temperature stability, water absorption, thermal expansion and other exact performance requirements in your design.
Work with Seasoned PCB Manufacturing Experts
Working with seasoned PCB fabrication specialists who can provide you with faster turnaround times is crucial. Our team at Alcanta PCB can fabricate your designs faster and more efficiently, allowing you to work on your prototypes sooner and avoid costly design problems. You can reach us at +086 (0)755-8524-1496 to request a quote.