Advantages and Disadvantages of FR4 PCB

by Alex Hales
FR4 PCBs

FR4 is a class of composite materials based on a glass fabric and epoxy resin flame retardant. The material is a strong electrical insulator with high dielectric strength and is affordable for multilayer boards. As a result, it is a popular choice for high-density multilayer boards. FR4 PCBs are a good choice in many applications. Let’s look at some of its advantages and disadvantages.

FR4 is a composite material class of glass fabric and epoxy resin flame retardant

FR4 is a class of composite materials made from glass fabric and epoxy resin. Fiberglass is woven into a thin cloth-like sheet, providing structural stability, and is surrounded by a flame-resistant epoxy resin that provides rigidity. As a result, FR4 is a good choice for many structural applications, including heat and sound-resistant windows.

FR4 is a thermosetting fiberglass composite made from a continuous filament glass material with a brominated epoxy resin binder. It is known for its high strength and low moisture absorption, and is very resistant to heat, flame, and chemical reactions. It also has excellent electrical properties. The FR-4 standard also covers the CEM-1 class of composite materials, which is made from woven glass fabric and epoxy synthetic resins. These materials are inexpensive and also flame retardant.

It is an electrical insulator with high dielectric strength

FR4 is a very popular electrical insulator that is used in PCBs. Its dielectric constant ranges from 3.8 to 4.8 MHz. Due to its high dielectric strength, FR4 PCBs can be used in a wide range of applications. It is lightweight, highly resistant to water, and has excellent electrical loss performance. FR-4 PCBs can also perform well under humid conditions. They have near-zero water absorption, which makes them a good choice for marine applications. Furthermore, FR4 is also a highly resistant material to oxidation, which makes them a good choice for corrosive environments.

Unlike other materials, FR4 PCBs have a uniform dielectric constant. This allows electrical components to attach to them consistently and safely, without worrying about the board’s dielectric strength degrading. Because FR4 has an even dielectric constant, electrical components are more likely to remain securely attached, reducing the risk of damaging the circuit board. Moreover, FR4 has high temperature stability, which makes it ideal for use in high-temperature applications.

It is a good choice for high density multilayer boards

Whether or not FR-4 is the right material for a PCB depends on its thickness and its application. Thinner boards take up less space and are better for applications where flexibility is needed. However, thinner boards are not suitable for PCBs that use V-grooves and are prone to damage during shipping. In addition, thicker boards tend to be more expensive.

The benefits of FR-4 are a low cost and high performance. These properties make it a popular choice for high density multilayer boards. Its high dielectric strength makes it an excellent electrical insulator, and it processes well. It is also lightweight, and its outstanding electrical loss performance makes it a good choice for marine applications. It has a glass transition temperature of 130-140 degC, and it can handle humidity well. Because of this, it has excellent chemical and mechanical resistance.

It is affordable

FR4 PCB is an affordable material that can be used in electronic prototypes and small series PCBs. However, FR4 is not ideal for high-frequency printed circuits. If your product requires rigidity, you should consider using a material such as polyimide/polyamide. This material has a high thermal conductivity, so it can be conductive at higher temperatures. It is also a highly durable material.

FR4 PCBs are among the most affordable materials available in the market. These boards are suitable for most electronic applications that require low-frequency and nominal temperatures. However, some applications may require high-speed, high-frequency, or extreme temperature-sensitive devices. In such cases, you should consider using Rogers PCB. FR4 PCBs are available in a wide range of prices and can be a good choice for many projects.

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