In the world of electronics, the quality of PCB design affects the performance of the product and it is important to choose the correct and suitable PCB material.

PCB material, also mean substrate, is the dielectric board that holds the components and traces of the design. Basically, the materials commonly on offer in the market are FR-1 to FR-6, CEM1 to CEM5, insulating metal substrates, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyimide, etc.

Among them, in this page we will discuss about the advantages of FR-4 PCB and Rogers PCB. To select your best choice of PCB materials types.

Why is FR-4 PCB the most commonly used type?

FR-4 PCB (printed circuit board) is a widely accessible and low-cost PCB. It delivers the advantage of “best performance” in various environments.

FR-4 glass epoxy resin is a popular and versatile high-pressure thermoset plastic laminate. Furthermore, it has a tremendous and excellent strength-to-weight ratio.

This material is well-known to maintain its high mechanical value and electrical insulating qualities under both dry and wet conditions. These properties, together with good manufacturing characteristics. Thus allows the grade to be used in a variety of electrical and mechanical applications.

What is Rogers PCB?

In most cases, a PCB consists of a FR4 composite material with glass fibre and epoxy resin.

PCBs using Rogers laminates refers to Rogers PCBs. Rogers is a company that produces laminates for the manufacture of PCBs that are designed primarily for high frequency and high-speed designs and have excellent dielectric constants and the ability to withstand high temperatures, making them suitable for use in the design and production of RF products and microwave equipment.

Rogers PCB V.S. FR-4 PCB, Find out which is better

The ultimate goal of any PCB manufacturer is to introduce cost-effective boards with the best performance. Here will be from the cost, impedance stability, thermal management, dissipation factor, moisture absorption, application and performance of the six differences between them.

• Cost

Cost is a concern for many customers. FR-4 PCB is the most affordable in PCB manufacturing. If the design is for low frequencies and standard temperatures, the FR-4 PCB is the appropriate choice. While applies to high speed and extreme temperature use scenarios, then you can consider using Roger PCB.

• Thermal management

PCBs generate a lot of heat in high-speed applications. Having good thermal properties is essential and in this case, the thermostatic laminates in Rogers PCB are the best choice.

• Dissipation factor

It indicates the signal loss in the PCBs. The Rogers PCB has a much lower signal loss than the FR4 PCB, which has a dissipation factor of 0.02% compared to 0.004% for the Rogers PCB.

• Impedance stability

The dielectric constant of the substrate is an important factor in determining the impedance of the board and its stability. The higher the dielectric constant, the higher the impedance stability. FR-4 PCB’s dielectric constant is 4.5, while Rogers PCB’s range from 6.5-11. Accordingly, high dielectric constant this characteristic makes Rogers PCB in high heat applications is an excellent choice.

• Humidity absorption

This is directly relevant to the electrical and thermal properties of the substrate material. Rogers PCB material has very low water absorption and adapting to different environments.

• Application and performance

FR4 PCBs are best for low and medium frequency applications. They are robust and have an excellent balance in terms of electrical stability. Conversely, Roger PCBs are suitable for high quality performance in niche areas such as space applications. Significantly, temperature constancy and low outgassing qualities make them the best choice for critical applications such as space and aerodynamics.

Turn to KingPCB for PCB manufacturing service:

At KingPCB, we combine state-of-the-art technology with our advanced engineering to provide you with the highest quality Rogers PCBs and FR4 PCBs. With over 10 years of experience in delivering high quality, on-time, competitively priced products, you can rely on us to meet your PCB requirements.

For an in-depth look at PCB manufacturing and PCB assembly services

Explore our PCB manufacturing services. In addition, you can contact us by email with any questions or to request a quote.