Your Premier Thick Copper PCB Manufacturer in China

Why Choose PCBMay for Your Thick Copper PCB

Do you know the thick copper PCB (heavy copper PCB or thick copper printed circuit board)? It refers to a PCB with a finished copper thickness of more than 3oz per inner layer or outer layer. If you need to produce 2oz finished copper, it’s our standard copper thickness. But if you have a project that needs 4oz finished copper, then we call it a thick copper PCB.

When you design the thick copper PCB, you have to consider the Min. Trace width/space. Because it depends on the topper thickness you need. Moreover, it will be determined the current carrying capacity of the PCBs.

PCBMay has over 12 years of thick copper PCB manufacturing experience, we can offer up to 40 layers of multilayer PCBs.

As a leading thick copper PCB supplier, we can provide the thick copper PCB in different applications including power converters, UPS systems, rada systems, protection relayers, and industrial controls.

If you are looking for a thick copper PCB supplier, PCBMay is your best choice. We can offer up to 12oz finished copper for your PCB.

We have full service for quick-turn jobs and state-of-the-art equipment. It can meet your complicated project deadlines and budgets.

When you have any thick copper PCB inquiries, please send them to us.

Thick Copper PCB: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

The majority of electric appliances have physical support boxes made up of PCBs of premium quality.

In addition to other options, thick copper PCB is gaining immense popularity for electrically connecting components of conductive pathways.

Hence, if you’re interested in gaining an understanding of thick copper PCB, the following guide is for you!

Listed below are some helpful questions regarding thick copper PCB properties.

Let’s get started to know more about the thick copper PCB.

What Is A Thick Copper PCB?

A thick copper PCB is a particular type of PCB with three ounces (oz) of copper integrated on the internal and external layers.

The printed circuit board with thick layers of copper is mainly characterized by the prominent structures of copper with thickness ranging from 105 to 400 micrometers.

Almost all thick copper PCBs have the property to withstand high current and optimize the thermal management during current flow.

In addition to PCBs with three ounces of copper, PCBs with four ounces per square foot is also considered heavy copper PCBs.

There is also an extreme copper PCB which comes with a deposition of 20 ounces per 200 square feet.

A thick copper PCB is manufactured with a thick copper covering of thickness ranging from four ounces to twenty ounces.

Not only this, but this PCB has an improved copper weight on both the inner and outer layers with thick plating.

The integration of appropriate substrate with the thick layers of copper also impacts the wiring platform and its long-lasting nature.

Thick Copper PCB

Where Is Thick Copper PCB Used?

The uses of thick copper PCB are extended to many electric applications, including household appliances and other high-tech products.

Besides the household appliances, military and medical equipment make the most of the thick copper PCB.

Many military applications that operate in integration with the thick copper PCB are weapon control systems, power supplies of all types of radar systems, power distinction panels in the workshops, and battery charger and monitoring systems.

Moreover, the high current circuits are combined with a thick copper PSB to eliminate duplicate layers in the system.

In this way, thick copper PCB also decreases the concerns of load sharing in all types of appliances operating with multiple layers.

Some thick copper PCBs are also used to eliminate the failures of thermal stress in holes.

In addition to all these applications, some other focus areas where thick copper PCB is used include:

• High power distribution circuits
• Amplification systems
• Welding equipment
• Planar transformers
• Heat dissipation systems

Uses of Thick Copper PCB

What Is The Shelf Life Of Thick Copper PCB?

The shelf life of a thick copper PCB with an average thickness ranging from 0.12 to 0.40 micro-meters is estimated at up to 6 to 12 months.

However, the shelf life of the thick copper PCB varies according to the contaminants present in the air and on the surface where the PCB is integrated.

Other than this, thick copper PCB is also available with a shelf life of 10 years.

The shelf life of a thick copper PCB also changes with the type of solder used and the method used for soldering.

What Are The Advantages Of Thick Copper PCBs?

The advantages of thick copper PCB are listed as under:

• Reduction in Stress

Unlike all other conducting materials, copper is considered an excellent thermal conductor. Not only this but it is also known as the best electric conductor.

This property of thick copper PCB makes it eligible for improving the heat transfer, thereby reducing the damaging stress up to prominent levels.

• Decreased Failure of the Devices

The majority of the electric devices fail to perform due to the increased managing stress. This factor results in the creation of the mosaic that leads to intermittent or permanent circuits.

Thick copper PCB significantly decreases the managing stress in the operating devices. Thus, it lowers the chances of failure of expensive devices.

• Heat Transfer

As discussed earlier, the high-grade copper in the thick copper PCB is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.

This is why heat transfers efficiently through the circuit when you use thick copper PCB in it. The heat easily transfers between the two integrated layers of the thick copper PCB.

• Increased Thermal Resistance and Current Capacity

The reliability of the devices is greatly increased when thick copper PCB is used in the circuits. At ambient temperatures, thick copper PCB plays the leading role in increasing the thermal conductivity and current-flow capacity.

The increase in mechanical resistance also enhances the lifespan of the devices by using thick copper PCB.

• Ease of Repair

Another most significant advantage of thick copper PCBs is that they are pretty easy to repair and diagnose any kind of failure during the operation.

Thick copper PCBs come with properly designed electrical components with different polarities having labels. Thus, you can conveniently repair it whenever it doesn’t perform well.

• Time-Saving

There is a lot of need for energy and time to connect the electrical components. But the distress has now been removed with the use of thick copper PCB.

This addition in the variations of PCB has made it convenient to connect two electrical circuits without the expense of extra time and energy.

• Reduced Electric Noise

There is no need to worry about the performance noise of the electrical circuit. All components on the thick copper PCB are arranged in a way to minimize the working noise.

Another advantage of the reduced noise of the electrical circuits is the low pickup of the radiations and electromagnetic waves.

How Thick Is Copper On A PCB?

The thickness of copper on a PCB is estimated at up to one oz or 35 micrometers. This thickness of the copper is present on the inner layer of a PCB.

However, the standard construction thickness of copper on a PCB is 1 oz or 2 oz. In most PCBs, the thickness of the copper on the external layer is only 2 oz.

The thickness of the copper layer on a PCB directly impacts its cost. Thus, the thicker the copper, the greater will be the cost of the PCB.

The increase in the cost of a thick copper PCB is due to the increased use of raw materials in PCB construction and the intense processing of copper weights.

There are many efficient manufacturers out there in China which play the leading role in preparing the desired thickness of copper on a PCB.

But if you don’t have any idea about the dimensions of your thick copper PCB, you can head to the PCBMay, since it provides reliable services with the versatile copper thickness available on a PCB.

The thickness of Copper on PCB

How Do You Choose The Thickness Of PCB Copper?

The handiest steps for choosing the right thickness of PCB copper are given as under:

• Make Sure About the Manufacturer’s Ability

Every manufacturer comes with many varied options about the thickness of copper in a PCB. Thus, while choosing the right thickness for PCB, the first step is to ensure the availability of equipment at the manufacturer for a product of that thickness level.

Ensure this factor at the start of the search for the appropriate thickness level of copper in a PCB.

For finding the desired thickness of copper in a PCB, you can contact PCBMay since they provide customized thickness levels of copper to the customers.

• Check the Board Materials

The thickness of the PCB is also dependent on the right choice of materials. Some of the basic materials used in board fabrication production include the substrate, laminate, a solder mask, and a silkscreen.

Thus, check the selection of the desired material in the production of the board fabrication because it impacts the thickness of the copper in a PCB.

• Determine the Signal Type

The ability of the thick copper PCB to catch signals depends upon the materials and the thickness of the PCB.

Thus, if you want your PCB to catch lower power signals, you’ll need a thick layer of copper in it, but if you want high power traces in the PCB, the thickness should be low compared to the other types.

• Operating Environment of PCB

The thermal and electrical conductivity of PCB dramatically varies with the change in the thickness and the operating environment.

Mainly the thickness of a PCB will not perform well in rugged environments. Thus, make sure to get a brief insight into the working environment before choosing the accurate thickness levels for PCB.

• Size and Weight of the PCB

Another factor that you need to keep in mind while choosing the thickness for PCB is the required size and weight.

All thick PCBs are heavyweight and consist of greater size, but the smaller PCBs are readily available with minimal size and weight.

What Is The Importance Of Knowing About Copper Thickness?

The importance of knowing the copper thickness in PCB can never be underestimated since it enables the engineers to get a profound idea about the signal transfer in the arranged circuit.

The flow of the circuit board and the efficiency of the product is also determined with the help of knowing the copper thickness in a thick PCB.

In addition to this, the designing process for the manufacturers becomes pretty easy when the thickness of the thick copper PCB is known.

If your manufacturer is producing the thick copper PCB for you for the first time, you can make a faultless product for you by letting him know the thickness of the copper in a PCB.

The level of copper thickness in PCB plays the leading role in maintaining the right size and weight of the product during its manufacturing.

You can tell the manufacturer everything about the thickness of the copper in a PCB to let him manufacture a heavy or light PCB for your circuits.

Besides this, the thickness of copper in a PCB is also essential to determine the working environment of the enclosed circuit.

Importance Of Knowing About Copper Thickness

How To Calculate Thickness Of Copper PCB?

You can easily calculate the thickness of copper on PCB by following the formula:

Q = I.tI = j.S

Here,

• Q is used to represent the amount of cumulative amount of electricity passing through the copper plating present in a thick copper PCB
• I am used to representing the required current for electroplating. It is mainly measured in the unit called Ampere
• t, which is needed to complete electroplating. It is commonly measured in a unit called minutes.
• j in the formula is used to indicate the current density in the circuit. The current density is more precisely explained as the amount of ampere current passing through per square foot of the circuit
• S represents the plating area of copper integrated on the upper surface of a thick copper PCB

In addition to this formula, you can also determine the copper thickness in PCB by dividing the mass of copper in one penny by the density of the copper in the circuit.

The calculated volume of the thickness of copper is further divided into the surface area of the total circuit.

It is regarded as an easier method to get a defined value for the thickness of copper in a PCB.

Calculate Thickness of Copper on PCB

How To Choose The Best Thick Copper PCB Manufacturer From China?

You can choose the best thick copper PCB manufacturer in China by following the given tips:

• Explore the Options Online

When you head out to look for the best thick copper PCB manufacturers in China, many options are available online.

Thus, make sure to create a shortlist of the manufacturers and analyze their work and efficiency.

Choose the manufacturer that fits all your demands in a defined order.

• Contact the Manufacturer

Contacting a manufacturer is as important as selecting them. Thus, when you have chosen the right manufacturer to produce a thick copper PCB, contact them through email or number.

• Look for the Customized Designs

The selected thick copper PCB manufacturer should provide a wide range of customization services regarding the design, type, and thickness of copper in the PCB.

• Processing and Inspection

The manufacturer should carry out the processing of a thick copper PCB in an inspected method with professional technical consultation.

In addition to this, check the soldering technology in the construction process adopted by the manufacturer.

• Quality Check

The manufacturer of the thick copper PCB should maintain high-quality standards during its production. Check the manufacturer’s efficiency to produce highly functional products.

Check the fulfillment of all quality standards, including the ISO9001, while checking the quality manufacturing of the thick copper PCB.

• Delivery Time

Another factor to check while selecting the thick copper PCB manufacturer is the delivery time while importing the products.

The manufacturer should deliver the product within 24 or 48 hours after the placement of the order.

• One-to-One Solution for Customer’s Problems

Another quality to look for in a thick copper PCB manufacturer is the one-to-one solution for all your concerns. The manufacturer should be efficient enough to provide a one-stop solution to the repair and installation services.

In addition to this, the manufacturer should provide the exact design of the thick copper PCB at reasonable prices.

Can I Get A Discount On Bulk Import Of Thick Copper PCB?

Yes, you can get a prominent discount on bulk import of thick copper PCB, but only when you approach an efficient manufacturer.

There are many well-known manufacturers out there in China which satisfy the customers by providing them a significant discount on the bulk orders of thick copper PCB.

PCBMay is one of those manufacturers which benefits the customers by giving them high-quality products with a reasonable discount on thick copper PCB.

In addition to this, you can avail of all the coupon codes and promo deals on the manufacturer’s website for getting relief of the prices of thick copper PCB.

The bulk of Thick Copper PCB

How Is Thick Copper PCB Manufactured?

The manufacturing process of thick copper PCB consists of the following steps:

• Designing

Before beginning the construction of the thick copper PCB, the manufacturer designs the structure of the board. The designed layout of the thick copper PCB is made in the form of a blueprint.

The design of the thick copper PCB is also done with the help of efficient software such as Extended Gerber to get an output format of the design.

• Reviewing the Design

After forming the basic design of the thick copper BCP, the manufacturer carries out a brief overview of the design with the help of a professional team.

The skilled engineers at the manufacturer’s site check the design of the thick copper PCB for incorrect structures and missing components.

• Printing the Finalized Design

Once the thick copper PCB design is finalized, it’s then printed and distributed among the workers at the manufacturing site.

Black and clear ink is mostly used to print the finalized design of the thick copper PCB.

• Lamination of Copper

When everything related to designing the thick copper PCB is done, it’s time to make the laminations of the copper. A small piece of copper is pre-bonded in the form of lamination to make the board’s base.

After this, the manufacturer covers the lamination with a particular type of photo-sensitive film, abbreviated as the resist.

• Preparation of the Board

Once lamination of the copper is completed, a blast of ultraviolet light is used on the board. This light passed through the film to harden it.

• Etching the Inner Layers

An extra amount of copper is etched on the inner layers of the printed circuit board of the thick copper PCB.

This step determines the total amount of copper etching used to produce an efficient thick copper PCB.

Manufacturing of Thick Copper PCB

What Are The Industry Quality Standards Of Thick Copper PCB?

Some of the industry quality standards of the thick copper PCB are listed as under:

• ISO9001 Standard

It is an international standard used to specify all the requirements of a quality management system by a manufacturer.

This standard also complies with demonstrating the manufacturer’s efficiency to meet the customer and quality demands.

• ISO14000 Standard

This international standard is required to maintain an impressive EMS (Environmental Management System) at the manufacturing site.

In addition to this, this quality standard is used to give an active framework to the organization to maintain the environment requirements properly.

• UL Standard

It is another quality standard that is mainly required to assess the products, test components, and the quality of materials used in the construction of the product.

Not only this, the UL standard makes sure about the production of environmentally sustainable products, thereby releasing innovative technologies.

Is There Any Warranty For Thick Copper PCBs?

Yes, thick copper PCBs come with a variable warranty depending on the manufacturer you’re approaching to get this product.

However, most Chinese thick copper PCB manufacturers provide a warranty of 1 to 5 years to customers all over the world.

What Are Different Levels Of Thickness In Copper PCB?

The different levels of thickness in copper PCB are given as under:

• 1oz copper thickness with 4/4mil pattern interval
• 2oz copper thickness with 10/10mil pattern interval
• 3oz copper thickness with 15/15mil pattern interval

The thickness levels of copper in thick copper PCBs vary according to the different types of electrical circuits.

In addition to this, the different thickness levels of copper in PCB also change the signal flow in the circuit.

Different Levels Of Thickness In Copper PCB

What Is The Difference Between Standard PCB And Thick Copper PCBs?

The primary thickness between the standard PCB and thick copper PCB lies in the thickness of the copper deposition on the board.

The standard PCB comes with a copper layer weighing only one ounce or 35 micrometers, whereas the thick copper PCB has a copper layer weighing four ounces or 140 micrometers.

Standard PCB can’t conduct high current values, but the thick copper PCB is available with the ability to conduct prominent levels of current.

Moreover, standard PCBs don’t maintain the mechanical stress to increase the thermal conductivity.

Compared to this, thick copper PCBs are known for increasing the thermal conductivity by maintaining mechanical stress.

Difference Between Standard PCB And Thick Copper PCBs

What Is The Standard Thickness Of A Copper Layer On A PCB?

The standard thickness of a copper layer on a PCB is 1.4 mils.

This amount is measured in other units as one oz or 35 micrometers.

PCBs having this thickness level are known as the standard construction product with fine copper weight selections.

In addition to this, the standard copper thickness for the outer layer of a PCB is 2 oz.

Standard Thickness Of A Copper Layer On A PCB

What is the Process of Thick Copper PCB Assembly?

The assembly process of the thick copper PCB comprises extreme care and the involvement of professional engineers.

With the help of soldering irons, the thick copper layer is observed to fit on the board, thereby allowing the thermal transfer of heat into the pads.

In addition to this, some thick copper PCBs need a hot plate to get enough temperature.

This appropriate temperature will solder the thick copper properly.