The base material is used to produce the PCB substrate. The most popular at the moment is fiberglass.

The structure of the material is layered: plastic fibers alternate with a binding base, which can be epoxy, polyester resin or bakelite.

Also, aluminum can be used as a base. Aluminum conducts current without being a dielectric, so it requires adding a dielectric layer to the base between it and the copper foil.

The rarest materials that can be found in the PCB production are ceramic and Teflon. Materials are mainly used to create PCBs for space or aviation devices where the accuracy of signal transmission is of great importance. In this case simple classical materials fail.

Saifon Technologies is able to work with these materials and manufactures PCBs of any complexity according to the customer's technical specifications on a turnkey basis.

Exotic PCB materials

The process of manufacturing microwave PCBs is in fact no different from any other PCBs. The only difference is that drawing the diagram on the foil surface needs higher accuracy, which requires additional qualification of employees.

Microwave means "ultra–high frequency".

What is a microwave PCB?

Microwave PCBs are boards that are used for devices that require high accuracy at ultra-high frequencies. Usually such PCBs are used for satellites, antennas, and, for example, 3G, 4G, 5G towers. In simple words, wherever accurate transmission of information by electromagnetic waves is needed.

Now learn more about each of the options for manufacturing microwave PCBs.

Microwave on a ceramic base

Composite ceramic material with organic binder. PCBs made of such laminate combine well the qualities of both fluoroplastic and ceramic boards.

High mechanical and electrical stability makes the composite material a good option for creating multilayer PCBs for use in high temperatures and their differences. For example, in aerospace devices.

Saifon Technologies produces ready-to-operate microwave PCBs according to the customer's ready documentation.

Microwave with ceramic filling

PCBs with ceramic filler are in many respects worse than other alternatives, and therefore are used much less often. Due to special aspects of use, such as shrinkage and large surface roughness, now they are used only in small devices. For example, for integrated circuit packages, in micro assemblies and so on.

Such PCBs are made of polycarbonate-based polymers, which are filled with ceramic filler and reinforced with fiberglass. This type of materials was created to provide characteristics similar to Teflon cards, while making them compatible with classical processing methods.

PTFE (Teflon)

The printed circuit board is made of materials that are based on fluorocarbon compounds, and additionally reinforced with fiberglass — Teflon. Such PCBs are chosen because they:
— Have increased reliability;
— Have high electrical strength;
— Can operation at high temperatures;
— Have good moisture resistance;
— Easily survive sudden temperature changes.

The glass transition temperature of the used materials is above 240 degrees Celsius. That’s why such PCBs are ideal for power amplifiers, antennas, communication systems, satellite amplifiers and other areas of radio communication.

The materials are also used where a high digital data transfer rate is required and accuracy and signal speed are primarily important.