No matter in any industry, printed circuit boards (PCBs) can feel their presence in almost all applications. Network and communication applications are no exception. These circuit boards facilitate communication, which is an easy task. In these applications, printed circuit boards can be made of different materials. What are these materials? Do you want to know? The following articles clarify the different materials used to make PCBs for networking and communication applications. Similarly, various beneficial features and characteristics of these materials are discussed in the post. Read on to learn more.

What are the different materials used in network and communication PCBs?

The structure and design of the printed circuit board depends on its application. Similarly, for networking and communication applications, different materials can be used for PCBs. Here are some of the most commonly used materials:

370HR: 370HR is basically prepreg and laminate used for printed circuit boards. Printed circuit boards made of 370HR comply with RoHS requirements. The most common problem in PCBs is the conductive anode wire (CAF), which is an electrochemical corrosion process. Under this phenomenon, the copper metal at the anode dissolves and moves to the cathode. This will cause an electrical short circuit, which is not good for any application, especially networks and communications. However, 370HR PCB is CAF resistant. In addition, they also have high-density interconnects and excellent thermal reliability.

Glass epoxy FR4: Glass epoxy FR4 material has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. In addition, this material is a universal high-pressure thermosetting laminate. This makes it suitable for network and communication applications. Under any conditions (dry or wet), epoxy glass FR4 PCB can maintain electrical insulation and excellent mechanical properties. In addition, the material has excellent mechanical strength and is known for its near-zero water absorption.

High-speed Pyralux TK: High-speed Pyralux TK material is mainly used in PCBs for high-frequency applications. Traditional knowledge refers to Teflon-Kapton. Such copper-clad adhesive layers and laminates are usually double-sided. The adhesive layer used in the material helps protect it from harsh environments and provides good electrical insulation. Fluoropolymers and polyimides are used to make primary composite materials. TK material is specially designed for flexible digital circuit boards. More advantages of this material include low moisture absorption, better flexibility and low dielectric constant.

Polyimide: This is another material, most commonly used in networking and communication PCBs. The main advantage of this material is its excellent thermal stability. This allows the material to withstand extremely high heat in certain applications. PCBs using polyimide are known to provide a good foundation for surface mounting. In addition, it is a cost-effective material choice for PCB.

Now that you know what the different materials are used to make PCBs for network and communication applications, it will be easier for you to choose the right material according to our requirements. Are you still confused about choosing the right material? In this case, it is recommended to consult an expert who can guide you to choose the right material for the PCB.