Keramik-Leiterplatte vs. Metallkern-Leiterplatte

Keramische Leiterplatten sind thermisch effizienter als ihre Gegenstücke aus Metall. Dies bedeutet, dass die Betriebstemperatur einer Leiterplatte niedriger ist. Aluminium-Leiterplatten hingegen werden mit einer dielektrischen Schicht versehen, Keramik-Leiterplatten hingegen nicht. Außerdem sind keramische Leiterplatten haltbarer als ihre Gegenstücke aus Metall.

FR4 vs ceramic pcb

The main difference between FR4 PCB and ceramic PCB is their thermal conductivity performance. FR4 PCB is prone to high thermal conductivity while ceramic PCB is prone to low thermal conductivity. Ceramic PCBs are better for applications that need high thermal conductivity. However, they are more expensive.

FR4 PCB has some advantages over ceramic PCB, but is not a strong competitor to ceramic PCB. Ceramic PCBs have higher thermal conductivity, making it easier for heat to reach other components. They are also available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

The main advantage of ceramic PCBs is their low electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity. Moreover, they are better insulators, making it easier for high-frequency circuits. In addition, ceramic PCBs are more resistant to corrosion and normal wear and tear. They can also be combined with a plasticizer or lubricant to create a flexible, reusable curtain. Another key advantage of ceramic PCBs is their high heat transmission capacity. This allows them to disperse heat across the entire PCB. By contrast, FR4 boards are largely dependent on cooling gadgets and metal structures to achieve the desired thermal conductivity.

Moreover, FR4 has a relatively low thermal conductivity. Compared to ceramic materials, FR4 is only a few times more conductive. For example, aluminum oxide and silicon carbide are 100 times more thermally conductive than FR4, while beryllium oxide and boron nitride have the highest thermal conductivity.

LTTC vs metal core pcb

A ceramic PCB, also known as a low-temperature-co-fired ceramic (LTTC) PCB, is a type of PCB that has been specially crafted for low temperatures. Its manufacturing process is different from that of a metal-core PCB. In the case of LTTC, the PCB is made of an adhesive substance, crystal glass, and gold paste, and it is fired at a temperature below 900 degrees Celsius in a gaseous oven.

Metal-core PCBs are also more efficient at dissipating heat, allowing them to be used for high-temperature applications. In order to do this, they use thermally-conductive dielectric materials, acting as a heat-wicking bridge to transfer heat from core to plate. However, if you are using an FR4 board, you will need to use a topical heat sink.

In addition to their superior heat dissipation and thermal expansion, metal core PCBs also feature higher power density, better electromagnetic shielding, and improved capacitive coupling. These benefits make them a better choice for electronic circuits that need to be cooled.

FR4

Thermal conductivity performance of ceramic PCBs is much higher than that of metal core PCBs, which may be a reason for their higher prices. Unlike metal core boards, ceramic PCBs don’t require via drilling and deposition to dissipate heat. The difference between these two types of boards lies in the type of solder mask used. Ceramic PCBs generally have dark colors, whereas metal core boards have an almost-white solder mask.

Ceramic PCBs have higher thermal conductivity than FR4, a material most commonly used for PCB mass production. However, FR4 materials have relatively low thermal conductivity, making them less suitable for applications requiring temperature cycling or high temperatures. Moreover, ceramic boards tend to expand faster once the substrate temperature reaches the glass transition temperature. Rogers materials, on the other hand, have high glass transition temperatures and stable volumetric expansion over a wide temperature range.

Metal core PCBs are made from aluminum or copper. They have a metal core instead of FR4 and a thin copper coating. This type of PCB can be used to cool multiple LEDs and is becoming more common in lighting applications. Metal core PCBs have certain design restrictions, but they are easier to manufacture.

Metal core PCBs have superior heat dissipation, dimensional stability, and electrical conductivity. They can also offer improved power density, electromagnetic shielding, and capacitive coupling. Compared to ceramic PCBs, metal core PCBs cost less. They are often used in communication electrical equipment and LED lighting.