What Are the Most Common Types of PCBA Substrates?

The PCBA board plays a vital role in
digital products. There are many different types of board, with a variety of features and applications.
This article explains PCBA substrates and their common requirements.

1.FR4 Substrate

The FR4 substrate is the most common veneer used in PCBA plants. It is a fiberglass-reinforced plastic
material frequently made use of in high-frequency and high-speed digital circuits. FR4 substrate is used
extensively in the production and design of PCBs because it has high temperature resistance and
mechanical strength. Its insulation is also outstanding, and it can usually meet the need for high
reliability.

FR4 boards of different densities can be used for various industries. The thicker the FR4 sheet, the
stronger it is mechanically, and therefore, more suitable for electrical residential or commercial
properties.

2.Light Weight Aluminum Substrate

Aluminum substratum is used in PCBA
manufacturing and it has many characteristics, including corrosion resistance, warmth
dissipation (and heat transfer), low cost, easy processing, etc. The aluminum substrate is used for LED
illumination, high-power, high-frequency, and other circuit boards. The LED lighting circuit board is
the most common. Since the heat of LEDs is high, heat dissipation must be done to reduce the
temperature. Light weight aluminum substrates are excellent at this.

Density of aluminum substratum can be 1.0mm, 1.2mm, 1.5mm etc. Aluminum substratum can be a great choice
for a motherboard that has a high heat output. It will ensure the stability and long-term operation of
the board.

3.FR1 Substrate

PCBA manufacturers use FR1 as a substrate because it is cheaper than FR4, but its mechanical and
electrical properties are less robust. It is therefore only used in low-end PCB design and manufacture.

It is generally 1.2 mm thick, but can be 1.0 mm thick. The manufacturing cost of FR1 can be reduced for
customer, making it a more affordable option.

4. High-Frequency Board

A high-frequency plate has a special quality. It is ideal for high-frequency circuit design because it
transmits signals with outstanding qualities.

Summary

The selection of substrate is crucial in the PCBA production and design process. Substratum types are
available for various applications, and they should be selected according to the real needs. The FR4
board, which is the most common substrate, has both mechanical and electrical properties. Aluminum
substrates are excellent at dissipating heat. High-frequency boards are suitable for circuit cards that
need high-frequency transmission. However, their price is higher than other plates.

High-frequency circuit boards are used for RF circuits and microwave circuits. They can also be found in
antenna circuits and other circuit applications. High-frequency boards are typically thicker, between
0.2mm and 0.8mm. They have a higher price than other board types, but their digital performance and
market demand are excellent.