Your Ultimate Polyimide PCB Manufacturer in China

Your Premier Polyimide PCB Supplier

PCBMay is a leading polyimide PCB enterprise in China. We offer a wide range of polyimide PCB in different layers, types of board, board thickness, etc. If you are looking for a reliable polyimide PCB source, you are in the right place to be.

The polyimide PCB is mainly made of flexible polymeric film. They are used to build the PCBs, hence the name polyimide PCB. Utilizing polyimide materials, better mechanical strength, and heat resistance to the PCB is sure. It also provides good thermal stability, chemical resistance, low creep values, and high tensile strength.

Due to its characteristics, they are in demand in general military applications, aerospace industry, medical industry, fuel cells, automotive electronics, computers, and laptops, etc.

Here Are the Benefits of PCBMay Polyimide PCB:

• Extreme stability and flexibility
• Superior tensile strength and durability
• High thermal endurance and resilience
• Extreme durability
• Chemical and temperature resistance

At PCBMay, we make the best polyimide PCB serving various markets and industries. We export PCB products to more than 60 countries worldwide and gained trust from over 1000 clients. If you are looking for the right polyimide printed circuit board manufacturer, then PCBMay is the one you can rely on.

As an expert manufacturer, we are offering different types of polyimide PCBs. You can find comprehensive options from number of PCB layers, PCB size, copper weight, finished board thicknesses, and surface finish. Hence, you can quickly get the correct PCB for your application.

However, please send us a Gerber file or BOM list if you require a specific design for your upcoming project. We will offer finish polyimide PCB products that satisfy your needs.

PCBMay, with 10+ years of experience in manufacturing various types of PCBs, can offer tailored solutions. We can build high-quality customize polyimide PCB. What are you waiting for? Please send us your request now! We have 24/7 sales and tech support!

Polyimide PCB: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

FR4 PCBs still have a significant market share, but polyimide PCBs are becoming more popular by the day. It is understandable why manufacturers want to utilize polyimide PCB in their products.

PCBs made of Polyimide are popular because of their strength and ability to withstand extreme temperatures. As a result, mass-producing polyimide PCB is very challenging.

PCBMay has been producing the finest PCBs for a long time. This FAQ guide addresses the most often asked topics. We believe this guide will answer the majority of your concerns.

What Is Polyimide PCB?

The term polyimide is composed of two sub-phrases, the first is ‘poly,’ which belongs to polymers, and the second is ‘imide,’ which relates to the developed imide monomers. They combine to form a polymer group with a wide range of properties.

Furthermore, the polymer group can be produced utilizing either an organic or a synthetic manufacturing method. Polyimides are used in the construction of printed circuit boards, thus the term polyimide PCB.

Polyimide PCB

In the manufacture of PCBs, synthetic polyimide is used when different chemicals having imide structures are produced. To us, this production process is referred to as polymerizing. These polyimides are used in the production of PCBs.

What Are Polyimide PCB Materials?

Polyimides are polymers made up of imide monomers that are bonded together. Natural polyamides include things like silk and wool. Synthetic as well as mass-produced polyamides, on either hand, are used as board substrates in the manufacturing of PCBs.

Polyimide Material

Polyimide can be made from a variety of chemicals and compounds, and each kind has its own set of benefits. To give you an idea, consider the following:

3rd Generation Polyimide

Thermal stability is a concern. There are additives in such polyimides that increase their flammability resistance, which might help avoid electrical fires in a wide range of applications. However, the reduced heat and more extended curing periods allow for faster manufacturing.

What Are The Different Types Of Polyimide PCB?

Polyimide PCB, like other PCBs, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. It was possible to classify these materials by looking at the synthesis process utilized to make the amide polyimide.

Polyimide PCBs are most often seen in:

2nd Generation Polyimide

The simplest PCBs are those that do not include flame retardants like bromine. On the other hand, pure polyimide has utilized the term ‘lacking’ in a positive way.

Pure polyimide PCBs are the most widely used despite being the oldest kind of polyimide. It is made feasible by the high resistance to temperature fluctuation and thermal stability under challenging conditions.

3rd Generation Polyimide

It is a more advanced kind of polyimide. Additionally, it has chemicals that increase its flame resistance. The flammability resilience is critical for preventing electrical fires caused by carelessness.

It is an issue that 3rd generation polyimides are inferior to pure polyamide in terms of heat stability. As a result, the manufacturing line moves more quickly than other polyimide PCBs.

3rd generation polyimide can therefore be produced in large quantities, which is to its great advantage.

Polyimide Filled

Due to the presence of several filler materials, this polyimide is comparable to multilayer PCBs. Resin shrinkage is reduced by adding filler.

Since many PCBs become brittle and fracture during drilling and curing, resin shrinkage tolerance is critical. As a result of its resistance to shrinkage, filled polyimide may be used for a long time without degrading.

Polyimides with Low Flow

Standard PCBs have a lot of flexibility, whereas low-flow polyimides don’t. As a result, rigid polyimide PCB is a term that is thrown about sometimes.

Due to its stiffness, low-flow PCBs are beneficial when used in harsh environments to maintain their structural integrity. That is why, when conventional flexible PCBs do not work, low-flow polyimides step in.

Low-Flow Polyimide

How To Design A Polyimide PCB?

Polyimide PCBs look like hardboards, with flexible layers reaching into the stiff portions of the board’s structure. When designing a Polyimide PCB, you should keep these rules in mind:

Polyimide PCB Design

• Because polyimide PCBs are often utilized in 3D applications, they typically have more dimensions than other PCBs. When looking at the Gerber layers alone, it may be difficult to see where the stiff layer transitions to the flex layer.
• Your fabricator should help you with the Polyimide board’s material layup, which is essential. With your fabricator’s assistance, you will be able to choose the appropriate materials for your project by considering your specifications.
• The considerations are flammability grade, minimum bend radius requirements, structural concerns, impedance control on flexible and rigid layers, and other factors.
• Gerber files for polyimide boards often need to have extra layers added. These artwork layers specify the board’s cover layer, bond ply portions (if necessary), and how much each goes into the hardboards. Solder mask layers will be on Layers 1 and X.
• However, your designer may be able to work with a smaller tolerance than what is recommended by IPC 2223, which is as low as 0.100″.

This long video helps you design a polyimide PCB.

What Are The Components Of Polyimide PCB?

Polyimide PCB accounts for the majority of PCBs produced. A solid substrate material is used to construct the circuit board, which helps identify the board’s deformation. Polyimide PCB Material Data Sheet provides you with a complete breakdown of all the parts.

Substrate – Stiff PCB

The substrate layer is composed of glass fiber.

FR4 is a popular substrate material that offers stiffness and flexibility to the board.

Epoxy resins are also utilized as foundation material, although they are not as great as FR4. Due to phenolics’ low decomposition temperature, soldering for extended periods causes layer delamination.

Copper Coating

On top of the substrate layer is a copper foil that is heated and glued to the board.

Usually, both ends of the board are copper coated; however, specific low-cost circuits only have one layer of copper.

Polyimide PCBs include a wide range of components outside the components above.

PCB Copper Coating

What Are The Features Of Polyimide PCB?

Polyimide PCBs are in great demand owing to their flexibility and robustness.

When selecting a PCB material, consider the application. Some of the Polyimide PCB specifications include:

Flexibility

It is used in making flexible and rigid-flex PCBs. Polyimide flexible PCBs are very popular in electronic applications.

Flexible Polyimide PCB

High Tensile Strength

Polyimide is robust and resilient to warping, considering its flexibility. This property turns it into a reliable option for the applications requiring physical durability.

Thermally stable

Polyimides are highly temperature stable. They can operate at temperatures up to 260°C. They also have high thermal conductivity and, therefore, can withstand heat damage during manufacture and maintenance.

Chemical-resistant

Polyimides are highly stable, meaning they can withstand a wide range of corrosive substances.

Long-lasting

Extreme physical and thermal conditions do not deform polyimide PCBs, making them ideal for complex configurations and field maintenance. Moreover, polyimides have the necessary electrical properties to serve as a good PCB foundation material.

What Are Some Of The Many Applications For Polyimide?

Polyimide PCBs are widely used in the PCB industry. Some of the uses are:

Computer electronics

Computers, particularly laptops, need to be flexible and durable to survive everyday usage.  They are excellent in these settings owing to their flexibility, endurance, and heat stability.

Auto-Electronics

Modern cars utilize flexible PCBs to withstand vibrations and heat.

Polyimide PCB Used In Electronics

Medical Electronics

Many medical applications need flexible electronics, particularly implants, prostheses, and imaging, which require greater mobility.

Defense and Aerospace Electronics

Polyamide is often used in aerospace and the military due to its durability, thermal stability, and flexibility.

Polyamide is widely sought after for various applications owing to its adaptability, strength, resilience, and thermal performance.4

What Are The Advantages Of Using A Polyimide PCB?

As a specialty printed circuit board, polyimide PCBs are only utilized in rare circumstances. A few benefits of using Polyimide PCB are as follows:

Stable adaptability

Stability and flexibility are the main advantages of polyimide PCBs. Regular PCBs lack this ideal balance of stiffness and flexibility.

Tensile strength

Polyimide PCBs are very stable. It is made feasible by the polyimide materials’ flexibility. So, greater tensile strength and toughness for PCB applications will benefit you.

Thermal stability

In terms of heat endurance and tensile strength, polyimide excels. These PCBs can operate at 260°C. It also reduces heat damage in production and repair.

High tensile

Polyimide is chemical and heat resistant. So it has increased durability. Extreme physical stress is a need for PCBs. Thus durability is vital.

What Are The Differences Between Rigid Polyimide PCB And Flexible Polyimide PCB?

Rigid polyimide PCB and Polyimide flex PCB are the two types of polyimide PCB. They share most of the Polyimide PCB properties.

Rigid PCB Vs. Flex PCB

Most people envision a rigid polyimide PCB. Components are connected through conductive rails and other elements placed on a non-conductive substrate on these circuit boards. A rigid circuit board‘s non-conductive substrate typically includes glass, which strengthens and rigidifies the board. A stiff circuit board supports components effectively and resists heat well.

However, unlike a rigid polyimide PCB, flexible polyimide PCBs are flexible. With a flexible foundation, flexible circuits can tolerate vibration, disperse heat, and fold. Flex circuits are effectively employed in small and novel electronics due to their structural give.

Among the significant distinctions between Rigid polyimide PCBs and polyimide flex circuits are:

Conductive substance

Because flex circuits must bend, rolled annealed copper can be used instead of electrodeposited copper.

Production method

Instead of employing a solder mask, makers of flexible PCBs utilize an overlay technique to shield exposed circuitry.

Average price

In general, flexible circuits are more expensive. Flex circuits’ flexibility to fit in small places allows engineers to reduce product size, resulting in indirect savings.

How To Prepare Your Polyimide PCB For Outgassing?

Outgassing happens when confined gases are pulled out by UHV(Ultra High Vacuum). Boards, which are frequently constructed of porous composites, may suffer from this issue. During manufacture, these porous materials frequently catch air and other vapors.

PCB Outgassing Issue

Preparing your polyimide PCB for outgassing includes:

• Pick materials that do not outgas.
• Baking in a vacuum helps minimize the danger of outgassing.
• When attempting to reduce outgassing, choosing the appropriate thermal resistant materials is critical.
• Create a route of least resistance for gases or utilize heat to clean surfaces.

This video explains PCB outgassing.

What Is The Standard Thickness Of Polyimide PCB?

Polyimide PCBs begin with polyimide foils as a building block. These have distinct advantages over other foils and vary significantly from those used in traditional PCB.

The polyimide PCB has a polymer layer thickness of 50 microns. The copper layer has a thickness of 18 microns, whereas the overall PCB thickness is 0.2 millimeters.

PCB Thickness

What Are The Chemical Properties Of Polyimide PCB?

The polyimide is resistant to most chemicals, including halogenated solutions.  These materials can replace metals in structural parts due to their strength. Stable in varying temperatures, moisture, and other environmental factors. Here are some essential chemical features:

Dielectric

Polyimides are dielectric materials, meaning they do not conduct electricity well. High-temperature dielectrics are essential in the design of sophisticated power and electronics systems.

Flexibility

Polyimide composites are more flexible. They are used to make flexible and rigid-flex PCBs.

PCB Flexibility

Tensile Power

Despite their suppleness, polyimide materials are robust and resistant to creep. So they are ideal for applications demanding physical strength.

Thermal Resilience

Polyimides are temperature stable. They operate at 260°C.

Chemical Resilience

An essential part of applications that involve exposure to severe chemicals, polyimides are chemically stable.

Durability

Polyimide PCBs withstand high levels of physical stress. They keep their form even when the weather changes. So they can be applied in severe settings and field repairs.

What Are The Differences Between Polyimide PCB And Fr4 PCB?

When comparing PCB and FR4 materials, remember that FR4 doesn’t quite relate to a particular material. Rather, FR4 is a PCB substrate material type.

So, FR4 merely indicates the substance has completed all UL94V-0 compliance testing.

Unlike polyimide PCBs, FR4 grade components are made of laminated fiberglass. FR4 materials are made by melting raw glass ingredients and spinning them into yarn filaments. After weaving, it is treated with an ac coupling reagent and resin to improve adherence.

After adhesive, the board is covered with a copper layer and utilized to make PCB materials.

The epoxy glass glue and copper lamination used in FR4 boards make them stiff. That is why PCBs are flexible compared to FR4.

When comparing FR4 with polyimide PCBs for heat and chemical resistance, the latter wins. However, polyimide PCBs are more expensive than FR4s because of their longevity and extensive use. Polyimide PCBs are also more resilient and lighter than FR4. This equalizes the equation.

FR4 PCB

Why Polyimide PCB Is Used In Aerospace?

Several standards govern the manufacture of aircraft PCBs. Aerospace boards must look at specific concerns, and polyimide and standard FR4 both meet those criteria. Boards for military and space applications must also meet IPC-6012DS.

Aerospace PCB

For aircraft PCB concerns, polyimide and FR4 vary. One apparent difference is elasticity. Polyimide is utilized for flex and rigid boards, whereas FR4 is used for rigid PCBs.

Even so, polyimide outperforms FR4. This feature makes polyimide more durable. Polyimide is preferred for high temperatures and thermal stress, although both materials resist contaminants well.

The optimum material for aircraft PCBs depends on the application. Polyimide is ideal for specific applications. However, some spacecraft include thermal management systems (TMS) that reduce PCB standards and enable the use of FR4.

The board design is yet another factor. It is essential to avoid using vias in bend regions and curved traces to improve lifetime durability and reduce the danger of inner copper cracking. It is necessary to cross-hatch copper discharges at 45-60 degrees.

Creating boards for various businesses frequently necessitates modifying your material selection strategy. Designing and manufacturing PCBs for the aircraft sector requires flexibility in a harsh environment.

Why Choose Polyimide PCB Instead Of FR4 PCB?

It is easy to select FR4 over Polyimide simply because it is cheap and widely available. However, choosing between two materials only based on price is a mistake.

Consider the following advantages of polyimide PCB over FR4 PCB:

Flexibility

The main reason to use polyimide over FR4 is flexibility. A polyimide flexible or rigid-flex circuit board is recommended in situations where portability and frequency are important.

PCB Flexibility

Heat Resistance

Its frame resistance causes hot spots that may harm the board and adjacent equipment. Polyimide, on either side, offers good temperature ratings and double the heat capacity of FR4.

Chemical-resistance

Polyamides are resistant to various chemicals, including hydrocarbons used in military, aerospace, and automotive applications. Polyamides outperform FR4 in terms of long-term corrosion resistance.

Durable

While FR4 is robust, its stiffness may cause issues with vibration and heat. Temperature and extreme stress weaken FR4 boards, whereas polyimide boards can withstand similar conditions because of their elasticity and compressive strength.

Troubleshooting

A stiff board like an FR4 will not function in a device that does not readily accept components. Instead, a polyimide PCB laminate composed of flexible material can be formed to suit the available area.

What Are The Drawbacks Of Polyimide PCB?

The manufacturing of Polyimide PCBs comes at a high initial cost. Until more cost-effective approaches are taken, FPCB technology adoption will be slowed significantly.

Another drawback is the complexity of repairing or changing the polyimide PCB. In this situation, it is essential first to remove the protective cover, then conduct the intervention, and then reinstall the protection.

How To Repair Cracks In A Polyimide PCB?

To repair a polyimide circuit board, it is necessary to locate all broken copper lines. See how to fix polyimide board cracks:

PCB Cracks

• Apply the epoxy sparingly on one surface of PCB. Hold the fractured board’s two pieces together while the epoxy cures.
• Use a razor knife to cut the copper traces. Remove any loose traces, then sand the traces with the emery cloth.
• Tin the smooth soldering pencil tip with rosin-core solder. Correctly tinned information is silvery.
• Clean up solder bumps on your PCB.
• Cut 18-gauge copper wire segments long enough to bridge the cut traces and tin them using rosin-core solder.
• With the tweezers, gently place a tinned wire over a trace where a loose portion was removed.
• Reassemble and test the device.

How To Choose A Polyimide PCB Manufacturer In China?

China has a big PCB market. So picking the correct PCB for you is not simple. Keep in mind these factors.

Filed service

There are numerous PCB manufacturers in China. However, not all can assist your projects successfully.

Some manufacturers may offer complete services, including PCB fabrication. Assembled products are assembled from components purchased from suppliers. So, decide which service to concentrate on.

Order size.

You must evaluate if the supplier offers both prototype and mass manufacturing.

Quality control.

In the PCB business, where each board is tailored and built by hand, minor components or circuit errors may create significant issues.

A PCB manufacturer’s ability to manage the quality of raw PCB manufacturing, components, and assembly is required before working with them.

PCB Quality Check

Time and expense

Lead time and expense are essential. Certain companies constantly create too much delay in the Chinese PCB industry and cannot provide express service, affecting your schedule and cost. Cheap typically means terrible quality, yet we can obtain the most satisfactory service for a reasonable price.

Conclusion

Polyimide PCBs are a delicate kind of PCB. To make them, you will need more time and effort. That is why making them is so difficult.

For a long time, PCBMay has been China’s best PCB maker. If you need assistance designing and manufacturing polyimide PCBs, we can assist you. You are free to ask us any questions at any time.