Your Professional PCB Core Manufacturer in China

PCBMay- Your Outstanding PCB Core Manufacturer in China

If you’re looking for a reliable and trusted quality PCB core, PCBMay is the perfect place! We have over ten years of manufacturing experience and have been a leading supplier to the top brand businesses. You can count on us for your PCB core needs.

What is PCB core? It is a type of rigid base material laminating coppers on one or two sides. It is applicable for manufacturing double-sided and single-sided boards as well as in the production of multilayer PCBs.

The core is an essential part of the printed circuit board. PCB core has a specific thickness and certain hardness. It also has copper foil on both sides.

If you are a designer looking for the best FR4 materials for your printed circuit board, PCBMay is the right solution. Whether prepreg or core, we’ll select the best materials for you. PCBMay is your trusted PCB core manufacturer and supplier in China.

PCB Core Key Features

• Hard – similar to copper
• The primary material of PCB
• Cannot bend
• Has copper layer on both sides (PCB board’s conductive medium)

Being an expert PCB manufacturer, PCBMay adopts the best copper clad laminate (CCL) materials to produce the PCB, no matter CORE or Prepreg. With over ten years of experience, our team strives to choose the best materials for your PCB project.

PCBMay has a qualified team to ensure your PCB core’s quality. We are a leading PCB core manufacturer and supplier with our manufacturing facilities in China. PCBmay also offers assembly equipment and PCB assembly services.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective PCB core, PCBMay is always the best choice. We could offer reliable, high-quality, and fast prototype PCB service that includes assembly at a very competitive rate.

Our Advantage

• Reliable Service
• Customer Support
• Cost-Effective PCB Core

PCBMay provides on-time delivery for all your PCBs requirements to meet within your budget and expectations. Whether you’re a designer, supplier, distributor, or business owner that needs reliable PCB Core, PCBMay is your go-to source!

Please don’t hesitate to contact us right away!

PCB Core：The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Printed circuit boards are one of the most essential objects in electronic devices. And the fact is there are various types of PCBs available for different reasons. The core is a PCB material, and it is widely used in PCBs.

The topic, PCB core, might be a little bit unclear to many people. There might be several questions on your mind as well. Here, we will try to clear some basic information about PCB core in this FAQ guide, that might be helpful for you.

Let’s move ahead.

What Is The PCB Core?

A PCB core is a material, which is hard and is mixed up in the printed circuit board’s layer along with copper on both sides of the PCB. It is a very common material to construct a PCB. It is an epoxy laminated sheet that is glass-reinforced and bound by prepreg on the PCB layers when the core gets heated.

Copper Core Layer

PCB core is also used to make a single-sided PCB or a double-sided PCB. It is also used for making multilayer PCBs as well.

What Are The Features Of PCB Core?

The PCB core features some significant features that enhance the durability, strength, and performance of the boards. Following are some vital features of PCB core:

Core on the Metal PCB

• High glass transition temperature capability: 130°C to 170° C
• High Decomposition temperature capability: up to 320°C
• High Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE): 10 to 70 ppm
• High thermal conductivity: 386 W/M-°C
• High flame resistance: 4.5Er
• Low loss dielectric tangent
• High volume resistivity: 10^6  to 10^10 megaohm-centimeter
• High surface resistivity: 10^6 to 10^10 megaohms per square
• Standard moisture absorption capacity, and more.

How Does 1520 Ink Core PCB Operate?

The 1520 ink core PCB controls the printer and prints 2d photos of objects. The control panel of the printer owns:

• ON and OFF buttons of the printer
• Build, edit, copy and delete messages features
• Selecting the option for printing messages
• Printer status monitoring system
• Configuration controlling system

1520 Ink Printer

The PCB core on the 1520 Ink printer manages the controlling parts. On-board memory helps to keep save the password of the printer as well.

What Are The Dielectric Materials Of PCB Core?

You’re discovering more scenarios in your PCB core samples that require dielectric PCB characteristics that ordinary FR-4 just can’t give. it might be greater designs, radiofrequency, radiation, or mobile apps – wherein energy planning is important.

A dielectric material is an insulating layer utilized for printed circuit board construction that is a hapless pilot of electricity. Dielectrics include porcelain, mica, silica, polymers, and a few metal oxides. The far more efficient a dielectric material is, the smaller the loss of electrons.

Dielectric Explanation

The material immediately begins to transmit the currents when the voltage through a dielectric substance is too high, which means that the electromagnetic force becomes too powerful. The dielectric breakdown is named this phenomenon.

4.5 is the dielectric constant of a common FR4 board. This value might be changed due to the weave pattern used in the FR4 board.

What Is The Difference Between Core And Prepreg In PCB?

Core and Prepreg in PCB have fairly certain variances. PCB Core itself is a laminate of Prepreg that is healed, toughened, and pressed by the designers. Copper foil on both sides of PCB is too utilized to frame it.

Prepreg is the adhesive that ties the core materials along.  Whenever two cores are stacked on both sides of a Prepreg strainer, the PCB stackup is exposed to heat.

Prepreg Material

Resulting in, the resin will start to melt and mix up with the neighboring layers. Afterward, it will be hardened with the help of crosslinking and will be stable.

The following are the basic differences of PCB core vs prepreg.

1. The core is the common element of a printed circuit board, whereas prepreg is comparable to glue and insulator. The two roles are entirely distinct.
2. The prepreg is bendable, but not the core.
3. The PCB Conductive channel is the copper coating on both surfaces of the core, not the prepreg.

Getting to know more about PCB core and Prepreg here:

What Are The Notable Applications Of PCB Core?

Copper PCB cores are optimized for large powered operations because of their strong heat capacity and thermal management. PCB cores provide superior heat transportation and heat absorption when operating with high thermal applications. The printed circuit board will endure these extreme circumstances with no vital parts being damaged.

PCB in Medical Tools

Following are some notable sectors where the PCB core is used.

• PCB core is used in interior lighting,  street lights, and camping lanterns lighting
• Power controllers and headlights in automobiles
• Large power amplifiers and filtered equipment are used in telecommunications.
• Amps for production, transmission, and power source are all available in audio.
• Boards for CPUs and power supply units for computers
• Connections, solid-state retransmits, energy inverters, and power factor correction in energy accumulation.
• Medical equipment includes power converters, operating room, and operating lights, as well as quicker scan technology.

Can You Use PCB Core In A Multilayer Design?

Yes, you can design multilayer PCBs with a PCB core.

Silica fabric, prepreg epoxy resin, and copper metal foil make the layers. In the bottom plate of the metal, copper foil and multilayer prepreg are put.

The designer now gently puts the pre-treated core over the adjustment studs. After that, the developer includes two more prepreg layers, more copper foil, and an aluminum pressboard.

On the lower plate, he builds three compartments in the same way. After that, the enormous stack is rolled under a press that stresses the metallic coating.

The designer ties the PCB stackup together before rolling it out of the sterile environment and on a tray.

Multilayer PCB core

Heat is used to melt and cure the prepreg and epoxy glue, while pressure is used to connect the PCB. This procedure is automated from start to finish, from building up pressure and heat to sustaining the pressure and eventually cooling it down. Using heated press plates and pressure, the layers of the PCB are glued together.

The PCB stackups are placed on a conveyor belt and run through several cycles to verify that all pins and the top plate have been removed. When the cycle is over, the pressure is released, and the massive stacks are rolled into the isolator. To get a clean copper finish, unload each panel from the stackups and remove the aluminum pressing plates.

What Are The Advantages Of PCB Core?

Highly thermal conductive with efficiency

Copper has the greatest heat conductance efficiency in all core PCB choices. Heat transport and absorption are significantly more efficient with greater conductance. Heat will be diverted away from critical circuitry on a copper core PCB, decreasing productivity issues and extending the board’s life.

Traditional circuit boards, such as FR-4 boards, may not be able to withstand the heat in high-temperature environments, potentially resulting in substantial damage.

More durable

Copper PCB core is more durable, with less distortion rate due to the higher heat absorption ability. That is why more durability brings in compared to the fiberglass PCBs, or ceramic PCBs.

Ceramic or fiberglass PCBs are less durable than copper core PCBs. Furthermore, copper core outdoes standard parts throughout the manufacturing process, reducing the danger of fracture during development and frequent use.

Environment-friendly

Copper is a hundred percent recyclable because it is a natural substance. Copper PCB core can help you with creating greater ecologically friendly solutions.

Why Do You Need To Consider Dielectric Strength In PCB Core?

Dielectric material puts a protecting layer between two layers of a PCB. It is the minimal power conductor as well as your PCB core. FR4 is the typical dielectric material of PCBs. The Dielectric strength of your PCB core must be considered to protect your PCB from any demurrage, because of its significant properties that are vital for the protection of PCBs.

Let’s go through the properties of dielectric material properties of the PCBs.

Heat Properties

Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)

Tg is the temperature at which FR4 material begins to soften but won’t be burnt. A higher Tg refers to the need for a higher temperature for the PCB during the lamination. After that, the temperature will restore its normal state. Unit of Tg is °C.

Decomposition Temperature (Td)

Td is the needed temperature for assembling PCBs, and their components. For assembling the PCBs, the temperature ranges from 200°C to 250°C. Td must be greater than these values because if the components decompose once, they will never return to their normal state. Fortunately, the Td for FR4 is more than 320°C.

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)

CTE is the rate of expansion of PCB material per degree Celsius. The unit is parts per million (ppm), which should be 10 to 70 ppm for avoiding any demurrage of PCBs and materials.

Thermal Dissipation

Thermal conductivity (k)

Thermal conductivity is the state of the material to conduct heat through them. The more conductivity, the more the durability of the boards. Most of the materials have 0.3 to 0.6 W/M-°C, whereas the conductivity of copper PCB cores is 386 W/M-°C.

There are more things to consider:

• Dielectric constant: Must be kept between 2.5 to 4.5 Er
• Dielectric Loss Tangent or Dissipation Factor (Tan δ or Df): The δ should be 0.001 to 0.02
• Volume Resistivity (ρ): Should be range from 10^6 to 10^10
• Surface Resistivity (ρS): Standard range is from 800V/mill to 1500V/mil
• Flammability Specs (UL94)
• Moisture Absorption: Ranges from 0.01% to 0.20%
• Methylene Chloride Resistance

When you use dielectric for your PCB core, you must consider the above-mentioned fact, because the exceeded or fewer values of a specific state will hamper the physical state of your PCB core, and performance. Even the board might be destroyed if things go wrong.

Let’s know watch out for the video for dielectric strength:

What Are The Limitations Of PCB Core?

As expected, every object has limitations. Because everything is not hundred percent perfect. Also, the PCB core has some limitations, but they are not that noticeable in terms of PCB manufacturing.

• The finish of the PCBs is uneven.
• One kind of circuit functioning necessitates reworking.
• It can be utilized just for a particular circuit.
• This is not a good choice for fine-pitch.
• It’s made of lead.
• Chemicals are produced during the etching process, which harms the environment.

A Damaged PCB

• Once damaged, it is difficult to restore.
• Thermodynamic shock.
• Bridging using solder
• Decreased or clogged
• Once printed, it can’t be changed.

How To Choose PCB Core Materials?

Before designing your PCB and choosing material for the PCB, you should have a concise understanding of a few things.

State of material

It is important to check if which materials are available, and the correct material which is the same in the category might be used considering the general similarity. In the other sense, the parts are all elements of the same product, with slight variations like thickness, copper weight, and prepreg style.

Apart from comfort and consistency, there are numerous more reasons for offering a limited selection of laminate kinds.

Considering the differences between the materials

Non-dicyandiamide resins have a higher glass transition and decomposition temperatures, as well as better insulating resilience after curing. Creepage and leaking current are a problem with every PCB core or prepreg material at high voltage.

Copper electromigration and the subsequent formation of conductive filaments are one cause for creepage requirements for FR4 materials.

Copper Thickness on a PCB

Considering copper thickness

Based on the fabricator’s product offerings, copper core weight can range from half an ounce to three or four ounces, although most of the inventories are likely to be two ounces or less. The average thickness is 0.59inches to 0.62 inches.

It is to be remembered, as well as the fact that nearly every stock uses the same copper composition on both ends of the core.

What Is The Most Common Copper Thickness Of PCB Core?

The most standard PCB core thickness for single-layer boards is 0.062 inches or 1.57mm. This thickness may vary for multilayers: 0.005 inches, 0.014 inches, 0.021 inches, 0.028 inches, and 0.039 inches.

More thicknesses are common for multilayers too. Those are 0.047 inches, 0.059 inches, and 0.093 inches. But the final standard PCB core thickness is 0.063 inches.

Some factors impact the determination of the PCB core thickness for multilayers. These are:

• Material of birds
• Thickness of copper
• Type of signal
• Vias types
• Environment for operations

Here is a PCB core thickness chart for different multilayers:

PCB Core Thickness Chart

How Does A PCB Core Control Impedance?

When a circuit is run at a high frequency, there is a combination created between the capacitance and conductance. This phenomenon is called impedance. Impedance is a useful physical characteristic, however, it differs from resistance.

Despite its measurement in Ohms, it has a different impact than resistance since it is related to frequency rather than electrical conductivity.

Impedance is important to a circuit’s functioning since it influences how quickly it accomplishes its tasks. That is why controlled impedance is required for the circuits.

The followings are determined controlled impedance:

• Copper signal trace width and thickness
• Core or prepreg substance thickness on each side of the copper line
• Core and prepreg substance dielectric constants
• The distance between the copper characteristics

What Are The Different Types Of PCB Core?

PCBs are divided into several kinds depending on manufacturing methods, design criteria, and application needs, such as healthcare, automobile, military, and aerospace with PCB core. More sophisticated designs based on customer needs and specifications lead to new varieties of PCBs to be manufactured.

Before you choose a PCB, think about how much room you’ll need, how much stress you’ll be putting on it, and how mechanical and electrically stable it is.

The PCB core that is available are:

• PCBs with only one side
• PCBs with two sides
• Multilayer PCBs
• Rugged PCBs

Rigid PCB

• Flexible PCBs
• PCBs that are both rigid and flexible

How To Test The Performance Of PCB Core?

When you order a bulk PCB production you know how massacred it will be if there are faults on them. So, testing the PCBs is one of the most vital parts of PCB production. You can check the performance of a PCB core in different ways. Here are five types of PCB testing methods for you.

In-circuit testing

In-circuit testing is performed on each circuit on the board. In most cases, the program is designed to provide 100 percent coverage. The great thing about ICT is that the 85-90 percent you get is completely error-free.

It is the heftiest testing method with a high cost.

Flying probe testing

Flying probe testing is nearer to ICT testing with less cost. The components it checks are resistance, capacitors, shorts, opens, diode issues, and inductance.

A probe with an attached needle on an x-ray grid which is obtained from CAD operates the testing process. Your ECM fulfills the needs of the board’s coordination before running the program.

Automated optical inspection (AOI)

In the AOI method, either you can use a 2D camera or two 3D cameras to take photos of the PCB. After taking photos, you would compare them with the schematic diagram of the PCB. If any difference appears between the photos and the schematic diagram, there are faults.

Burn-in testing

It is the most destructive testing method of PCBs. By this testing, you can detect the early failure of the PCB during the manufacturing period. During the testing, the expected maximum electricity supply is imposed through the components. If they survive, then it’s okay. The most hectic fact is, the power runs through the components for 48 to 168 hours.

X-ray inspection

With this testing method, an X-ray operator checks soldering, internal tracing, and barrels. AXI tests are available in 2D and 3D formats, with 3D providing a shorter testing duration.

X-ray Testing of PCB

Functional testing

Functional testing determines that all expected functions are functioning properly. It is the testing of the final stage of the product before launching PCBs.

What Are The Differences Between The Copper Foil And Core In PCB?

Copper foil is a versatile – and underappreciated – material. It is flexible and used including everything from crafting to energy because of its excellent transmission ability of electricity and thermal.   Copper foil is also utilized as an electric conductor in PCBs, batteries, renewable power equipment, and other applications.

Copper Foil

The difference between the copper foil and core in PCB is,

The base copper thickness that is applied to the outer and inner layers of the PCBs is known as copper foil.

The laminate producer can pre-connect the copper foil to a core of the materials or put it into a multi-layered circuit board.

On the other hand, the PCB core is the base material of the PCBs which is usually laminated with the copper of the PCBs on single or both sides.

What Are The Uses Of Thermal Vias In PCB Core?

In a PCB, a via is an electrical link between copper layers.

A Via is used to provide an electronic signal between the layers of a multilayer PCB. A Via is made by placing copper slats on each layer of the circuit and excavating a hole beneath them. By inserting copper tubes directly into the drilled holes, the holes become conductive.

Thermal Vias on PCB

There are mainly three types of Vias utilized on PCB cores.

Through-Hole Via: It is straightforward via which goes throughout the whole PCB from start to endpoint, and connects all layers.

Blind Via: Blind Via connects the outer layer to the neighboring layer.

Buried Via: Buried Via connects internal layers of the PCBs.

Which Surface Finish Is Effective For PCB Core?

PCB surface finish is a vital part since it prevents copper from oxidation, corrosion, keeps the performance consistent, and so on. The surface finish is needed for establishing reliable connections between the circuit board and the components.

Several types of PCB finishes may be used for different criteria and needs. First, let’s see the different types of PCB surface finishes.

Immersion Gold (ENIG)

It is lead-free and RoHS compliant, has a stricter precision in the holes of the boards and has a long lifespan. The gold keeps the board’s nickel from corroding, while the nickel stops the circuit board from corroding.

Immersion Gold Surface Finish on PCB

Immersion Silver (IAg)

IAg is immediately put to the PCBs’ base metal plate. It is less costly than the ENIG. It has lead-free RoHS compliance, low loss signal integrity, tighter tolerance in the board holes, and can be diffused into one another.

There are more surface finishes available such as Immersion Tin, HASL, etc. But, our objective is to find out the best one for the PCB core. Actually, ‘the best’ depends. It depends on your requirement, purposes of use, and budget.

PCBMay is one of the best PCB core manufacturers that manufacture high-quality PCBs with all types of finishes.

What Is The Effect Of Decomposition Temperature On PCB Core?

Decomposition temperature

The heat at which a material chemically decomposes is known as its decomposition temperature.

When constructing PCBs, the Decomposition temperature (Td) of a component is critical since alterations to its characteristics are irreversible once it reaches or exceeds its Td.

Select a material that allows you to operate at a higher temperature than Tg but far under Td. Most soldering temps during the assembly operations are between 200 and 250 degrees Celsius, therefore, fortunately, Td is 320°.

How Do You Select The Right Manufacturer For PCB Core?

Choosing the right manufacturer for getting quality products is the first step to getting profit in your business. So, you should give importance before starting the production of your PCB core. You should check:

• Whether the manufacturer is experienced or not in the industry
• Production capabilities
• Technological capabilities
• Deadline meeting capabilities
• Products quality
• Cost-efficiency
• Factory infrastructure
• Fast responsiveness, etc.

While you get the mentioned specification from a manufacturer, you might consider him as a good and capable manufacturer for your PCB production. PCBMay might fulfill each criterion with utmost quality control. You may consider them as your PCB core manufacturer in China, and make a contract today.

Conclusion

To produce the best PCB, an expert and experienced manufacturer is a must. Because making PCBs is not that easy. PCBMay is one of the experienced PCB core manufacturers in China that may help you through the easiest way with the highest quality maintenance.