Your Professional Prepreg PCB Manufacturer in China

Your Trusted Prepreg PCB Supplier

Are you looking for an expert prepreg PCB supplier in China? PCBMay is your ideal place to be. We can help you get a high-quality prepreg PCB that suits your application.

With over ten years of manufacturing experience, we can produce different types of prepreg PCB. You can choose the base material according to your plan. There are plenty of options to choose from, either FR-4, CEM-1, CEM-3, Hi-TG FR4, Metal, or Ceramic.

The prepreg PCB can also furnish with HAL, HASL Lead-free, Gold plating, or Immersion gold. Available colors are blue, green, red, black, white, and so on. What’s more, the whole layout can be specified, including the copper thickness, board thickness, min hole size, min line width, and spacing. Layers range from 1-40.

At PCBMay, we are proud to bring your idea into reality. We can produce the prototype of prepreg PCB within 24 hours. What makes it possible? Our two plants, one in Shenzhen and the other in Meizhou. We can meet your different prepreg PCB demand instantly.

PCBMay can provide a turnkey solution for your needs. We will provide excellent support from the prototype, fabrication, metal injection, final assembly to testing, and value-added service.

Our PCB products serve several industries, such as automotive, medical, IoT, industry control, military, and smart home. During these years, we keep an eye on the industry to develop an up-to-date design.

Moreover, we offer prepreg PCB with no minimum order requirement. Therefore, you can purchase even a single board and get the same support to those large purchasers.

All prepreg PCBs are 100% tested and inspected thoroughly, ensure no flaws and defects. We will provide a test report you each project. So, you will know the details of each process.

What are you waiting for? Please send us your requirements now and get a better quotation within 8 hours.

Prepreg PCB: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Have you ever thought of having all the attractive features in one PCB?

Prepreg PCB has brought out your thinking in reality. It combines almost every desirable property of consumers in a single circuit board. This PCB meets up the user’s demand in effective ways that are not common in the electronics world.

PCBmay is an expert Prepreg PCB manufacturer in China. We are capable of supplying high-quality assembly service of this PCB based on your projects. This FAQ guide helps you to get a clear concept about its manufacturing and features quickly. We hope you will enjoy this journey. Let’s start.

What Is Prepreg PCB?

Prepreg PCB is a supremely functional circuit board consisting of prepreg materials. Prepreg is the short form of pre-impregnation. Here, the resin is impregnated in glass fibers.

It has a specialty in multilayer design with superior thermal management. You can design this PCB up to around 40 layers. This outstanding PCB has impressive dimensional stability. Its hole size, via placement, copper thickness, etc are highly effective from basic to advanced electronic appliances.

Prepreg PCB

Besides, the dielectric materials of prepreg PCB are useful to achieve impedance stability and insulating properties. In essence, if you intend to upgrade your device’s standard to the optimum level, this PCB is the best option.

What Is The Difference Between Core And Prepreg In PCB Manufacturing?

Sometimes, consumers get confused about prepreg and core in PCB manufacturing. Since these two materials have enough similarities, it is obvious to be puzzled in the case of having proper knowledge. We are here to make you clear on this issue. Let’s go through the following points.

• Prepregs are composed of resin and fiberglass materials. PCB core is also made of almost the same materials. But, there is copper on both sides of the core.
• Prepregs have a wide range of dielectric constants. Again, their DK values change due to lamination. On the contrary, the core has a fixed dielectric constant value in the PCB stackup.
• The core is a  combination of PCB prepreg and lamination. But, prepregs don’t get laminated. These materials are dried up to some extent.
• Prepreg materials are more flexible compared to the PCB core.
• Prepregs have a more effective presence in the PCB applications than the core.

Core Vs Prepreg In Printed Circuit Board

How Is Prepreg PCB Constructed?

Prepreg PCB is constructed through prepreg materials. Prepreg means pre-impregnation of resins in glass fibers. It produces reinforced plastic materials that have a superior impact on maintaining the dielectric properties of this PCB prepreg.

It usually contains three categories of resins. Such as standard, medium, and high resins. A high resin content promotes the effectiveness of prepreg PCB, but at the same time, it multiplies the manufacturing cost also.

Prepreg PCB Materials

The amount of resin used in glass fibers depends on the fill counts and wrap. Besides, the grain direction has a huge impact on this PCB construction because this property permits the required modification of the PCB materials.

Except for these, 4 graded flame retardant materials, aluminum, CEM-1, etc are found in this PCB.

What Are The Main Features Of Prepreg PCB?

The main features of prepreg PCB include-

• The transition temperature of glass materials is around 200⁰C.
• The thermal expansion coefficient is low at the Z-axis direction.
• High decomposition temperature. This is around 340⁰C.
• Low dielectric constant. Its DK value is around 4. But, it can be changed due to the lamination of prepreg materials.
• The moisture absorption rate is less than 0.02%.
• It is compatible with lead-free technology.
• RoHS compliant
• Layers range from around 1-40.

High-Quality Prepreg PCB

How Does The Resin Flow Affect A Prepreg PCB?

Prepreg PCB gets affected by the resin flow in many aspects. The resins used in prepreg materials start flowing at a certain temperature and pressure. It affects the interlaminar bonding in this PCB manufacturing.

Besides, well-measured resin flow improves the copper foil bond in prepregs. Then, prepregs can function better in their role. That’s why the overall efficiency of prepreg PCB increases to a great extent.

Resin In Prepreg PCB

You have to handle time, pressure, and heating rate to ensure the optimum output of the resin flow. Since resin flow continues for a certain period, you should maintain the temperature properly.

How Can You Measure Resin Content In Prepreg PCB?

Resin is a mandatory element of Prepreg PCB. The resin count refers to the proportion of resin applied to the glass fibers with respect to the total weight of the prepreg. That means it will give you a clear scenario of resin materials in this circuit board.

It has a great influence on the thermal and mechanical properties of prepreg PCB. Like thermal expansion coefficient, glass transition temperature, relative permittivity, etc.

You can simply measure the resin count in prepreg PCB. You just need to follow the instructions given below-

• First, determine the total weight of the prepreg specimen.
• Now, place this sample in a dilute sulphuric acid solution of a low resin grade and keep it for 20-30 seconds.
• This acid solution dissolves all resins of the prepreg specimen.
• Then, pick this sample and dry it properly.
• Again, measure its weight. You can easily find out the amount of resin used here by subtracting two weights of prepreg samples.
• Now, convert this into a percentage. It is the resin count of your prepreg used in this PCB.

The resin count affects the thickness of this PCB laminate after compression. Its proper value is also necessary for faultless etching and PCB drilling. That means it promotes the entire PCB performance indeed.

What Are The Major Types Of A Prepreg PCB?

Versatile Prepreg PCBs are used in electronic appliances of numerous fields. All of its types are supremely functional. The major varieties of this printed circuit board include-

• Breadboard clone PCB
• 4 layer PCB
• Prototype PCB
• Hybrid Prepreg PCB
• High Tg PCB
• Prepreg blue FR4 PCB
• High-power DIN casino Prepreg PCB

Prototype Prepreg PCB

We have been manufacturing different types of Prepreg PCBs for around 15 years. Inquire us today for the most compatible PCB with your applications.

Can You Use A Prepreg PCB For High-layer Count Applications?

Of course. High-layer compatibility is one of the most attractive features of prepreg PCB. Its wide range of relative permittivity allows this PCB to take part in electronic applications having a high-layer count.

This PCB is supportive of thick copper surfaces. Moreover, different types of surface coating technologies make its surface wider. That’s why via management is more reliable in multilayer designs. So, it can render impressive thermal dissipation.

Prepreg PCB High Layer Count

Its multilayer stackup is highly robust and durable enough to withstand extremely hot weather. Like 4 mil prepreg high layer count PCB uses FR4 as the base elements along with epoxy materials and glass fibers. 6 oz copper thickness is the best for this circuit board.

What Are The Surface Finish Methods Of A Prepreg PCB?

PCB surface finish is a useful way to optimize the efficiency of the copper traces. Prepreg PCBs are compatible with both metallic and organic surface finish methods. The following are the notable metallic surface coating methods for this PCB.

• HASL (Hot Air Solder Leveling)
• Lead-free HASL
• ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold)
• Hard Gold plating
• ENEPIG (Electroless Nickel Electroless Palladium Immersion Gold)

Prepreg PCB Surface Finish

These methods improve the component arrangement capability of prepreg PCB along with protecting the surface from corrosion. Besides, solderability and dimensional stability of drilled-hole vias on the PCB surface get better due to proper surface finish.

What Is A Hybrid Prepreg PCB?

Hybrid prepreg PCB is such a kind of electronic circuit that contains materials having completely different properties. Its materials have different coefficients of thermal expansion that are very critical for maintaining.

Usually, hybrid PCBs are used for RF high-frequency applications. These circuit boards promote the reliability and performance of electronic projects using prepregs. Hybrid prepreg PCBs are customizable to increase the layer count.

Hybrid Prepreg PCB

It delivers top-notch performance if immersion gold finishes are applied to it. You can utilize these hybrid PCBs in versatile industries like RF communication, navigation systems, military industry, and so on.

Which Copper Thickness Is The Best For A Prepreg PCB?

Thick coppers are the best for prepreg PCB manufacturing. 6 oz copper is used in most applications of this PCB. Heavy copper allows this PCB to make the solder joints strong and current conduction better.

Prepreg PCB Thick Copper

But, 1 oz, 2 oz, etc thin coppers are also utilized in some projects where the consumer needs to trade-off between cost and current carrying capacity. So, you need to apply copper on the PCB surface based on your requirements.

What Are The Most Significant Applications Of A Prepreg PCB?

The most significant applications of a prepreg PCB are as below-

• Automotive devices
• Medical scanning equipment
• RF communication
• Control devices in the industrial sector
• Wireless communication
• Military instruments
• Aerospace
• Navigation
• Home appliances

Functional Prepreg PCB

How Does A Prepreg PCB Improve Insulating Properties?

Prepreg PCB consists of effective dielectric materials. That’s why its dielectric strength is very high. This property indicates the highest applied voltage required for the insulation breakdown.

Insulating Properties Of Prepreg

That means you need to apply a high electric potential to reduce its insulating properties. Usually, PCB prepregs have sufficient insulation. Again, they have an impressive reputation for maintaining impedance stability with a low DK. These characteristics improve the insulating properties of this PCB significantly.

What Are The Advantages Of A Prepreg PCB?

Prepreg PCB offers tremendous advantages in electronic appliances. Its most noteworthy benefits are-

• It shows superb functionality in multilayer PCB designs.
• Its thermal dissipation makes it durable in extreme conditions.
• This PCB can operate in a vast range of temperatures.
• Its insulating properties turn this PCB into mechanically and electrically stable.
• Prepreg PCB is nature-friendly. It has ISO certification and RoHS compliance.
• It remains operative for a long time.
• This circuit board is applicable in high-power appliances due to its outstanding robustness.

RoHS Complaint Prepreg PCB

How Can You Verify The Performance Of A Prepreg PCB?

This is very important for you to verify the PCB performance before starting its applications. The AOI tests, AXI tests, functional tests, etc are reliable inspection methods in the case of prepreg PCBs.

AXI Test

Automated X-ray inspection is a quick and trustworthy method where penetration power of the X-ray is utilized. You can find the dimensional errors in the drilled holes and vias. Besides, critical solder connections can easily and reliably be detected through the AXI test.

AOI Test

This is a photograph-based automated testing process. Here, the AOI machine takes photographs of prepreg PCB from different axes. Then, this machine makes a comparison between the images of testing PCB and errorless PCB.

Thus you can detect the faulty portions that aren’t matched with the ideal PCB design. Since it is an automated optical test, its cost is high. But, you can be sure about its result completely.

Prepreg PCB Testing

Functional Test

Functional tests are conducted at the last stage of PCB manufacturing. It determines the functionality instead of detecting faults. So, you need to run a functional test along with a fault-finding test like the AOI, flying probe tests, in-circuit tests, etc. Then, it will render you the best output.

What Are The Limitations Of Prepreg PCB?

Prepreg PCB is made of effective dielectric materials. Despite these elements, this PCB has few limitations due to some negative features of prepreg. Its considerable disadvantages are –

• Its operating life becomes short in high thermal conditions.
• This PCB is always costly due to the material’s properties and processing methods.
• You need to keep this circuit board at a high temperature for its time-consuming heat curing process.

PCBMay always supply the top-class Prepreg PCB at a reasonable price. That’s why you don’t face such adversity if you contact us to take care of its manufacturing.

Why Do You Need To Consider Impedance Matching In Prepreg PCB?

Impedance stability is a game-changing factor in the case of Prepreg PCB. Uncontrolled impedance affects PCB performance in many ways. It ensures a high clock rate along with a short response time in digital electronic appliances.

This property makes it applicable in RF communication systems and high-speed data propagation in computing devices. Besides, impedance matching improves the power transmission rate by keeping VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) low.

Prepreg PCB Impedance Control

Again, unmatched impedance in different points on the Prepreg PCB surface increases the signal reflection to a certain extent that the real signal gets totally distorted. It declines the efficiency of high-frequency PCB projects. That’s why you need to consider impedance matching in this PCB manufacturing.

What Is The Dielectric Constant Of A Prepreg PCB?

The dielectric constant of a prepreg PCB covers a wide scale. It varies from 3.5 to 10 at 10 GHz frequency. This value always does not remain fixed in the case of prepreg materials. You can notice different DK values before and after the lamination process.

A low DK is convenient for ensuring a low dissipation factor and high transition temperature. Besides, it also affects the CTE of prepreg materials. In a multilayer PCB stackup, variable DK is effective in many ways.

Prepregs having different dielectric constants can be used in separate layers. This develops the robustness and electrical properties in the PCB layers. That’s why prepreg PCB has turned into a reliable choice for high-layer count PCB projects.

How To Etch A Prepreg PCB?

PCB etching is a crucial part of the prepreg PCB fabrication process. There are multiple methods of PCB etching. Like chemical etching, laser etching, etc. But concerning the budget constraints and manufacturing scale, the chemical process is the most worthwhile etching technique.

You have to follow the instructions provided below to ensure a faultless chemical etching in the prepreg PCB.

• As etching is a process that eliminates unnecessary copper from the PCB surface, you must cover the required zone to avoid the removal of essential portions.
• Then place this circuit board in a toxic chemical solution like ferric chloride for around half an hour. You should vary this time based on the strength of this standard solution. Sometimes, cupric chloride is also used in this process, but ferric chloride delivers better toxicity and is more time-saving.
• When all the unwanted copper gets dissolved in chemicals, pick the board and wash it through the water.
• Rub it by applying alcohol and then dry it up properly.

PCB Etching Process

You can also use a laser diode for the PCB etching. Then you have to use the laser at a slight angle to prevent the reflection of light. It should be better for you to consult a trusted manufacturer to resolve this issue.

Watch this video to know more about laser etching:

What Are The Differences Between Laminate And Prepreg In PCB?

Prepreg and laminate are vital elements of prepreg PCBs. These materials have some major differences in PCB. Such as:

• Laminates are completely cured PCB materials. But, prepregs are not fully cured while using in the PCB construction.
• Prepregs are found in the middle of two cores. Besides, these materials are placed in between the copper foil and the PCB core.
• Laminates usually separate the PCB layers while prepregs are used for combining two isolated copper layers. Prepregs also prevent the detachment between the core and the PCB layers.

Prepreg Vs Laminate In PCB

Watch this video for getting better knowledge:

Is An HDI Prepreg PCB Halogen-free?

HDI prepreg PCBs contain a small number of halogen compounds. That’s why these circuit boards are ecologically highly effective. There is a higher component density on the HDI PCB surface than other prepreg PCBs.

Here, the base materials are CEM-1, glass fibers, Fr-4, aluminum, etc. These materials don’t contain such amounts of bromine, fluorine, chlorine, etc halogens that cross the threshold line but ensure sufficient flame retardancy. So, you can consider this PCB as halogen-free to a certain extent.

High-Density Interconnect PCB Prepreg

This advantageous feature enhances its applications in versatile fields where nature-effectiveness is a major concern. It is also RoHS-certified. So, you can be tension-free about its adverse effects on ecology.

What Are The Important Considerations While Choosing A Prepreg PCB Manufacturer In China?

The electronics market is highly competitive in China. So, it appears very difficult for you to find the right manufacturer for PCB. We are here with some important considerations while choosing a reliable Prepreg PCB manufacturer. Such as:

PCB Manufacturing Experience

This is the foremost consideration in this event. You must choose an experienced manufacturer who has immense knowledge about the ins and outs of this PCB. You can check out the website to check its service time in PCB assembly.

Product’s Quality

Top-quality product supply is another mandatory criterion for a trustworthy PCB manufacturer. If its products have ISO and RoHS compliance along with IPC class 2 or 3 standard certifications, then you can rely on this supplier.

Cost

Product cost is a major issue in this field. You should compare the price of your manufacturer’s Prepreg PCB with other competitors in the market. If it renders this PCB at competitive prices with ensuring a high-quality, you should depend on it.

Technical Support

It defines the affordability of a PCB manufacturer to deliver quick and reliable assembly service. This is also required for instant customization based on the consumer’s demand. That’s why you need to verify whether the manufacturer has skilled technical staff with a fully equipped factory or not.

If a manufacturer can convince you about these issues, be sure that it is capable of handling your Prepreg PCB problems properly.

Conclusion

This is almost all about Prepreg PCB. This multifunctional circuit board improves your Project’s integrity with its incredible features. You can enjoy the supreme PCB experience through this worthwhile PCB.

If you make up your mind to use this PCB for your electronic applications, PCBmay is the best supplier and designer in recent times. You will get a one-stop manufacturing service here. We hope this FAQ guide will be your pathfinder for choosing the perfect Prepreg PCB. Get in touch with us for further information.