Keywords: Ceramic Substrate,  Ceramic PCB

Alumina, aluminum nitride, and beryllium oxide make up the ceramic base material of ceramic printed circuit boards (PCBs), which have high heat conductivity. They can disperse heat fast throughout the whole surface, removing it from hot spots. Ceramic PCBs are produced using LAM technology, or laser rapid activation metallization. Ceramic Substrate Ceramic PCB is more versatile as a consequence, and they might completely replace a typically printed circuit board with a simpler design and better performance.

Due to its improved performance, ceramic printed circuit boards (PCBs) or ceramic PCBs are becoming more and more common among circuit boards. There are a few considerations you should make while looking for the ideal type of ceramic PCBs. By evaluating all of the details and comparing them to similar things, you can decide whether or not to make a purchase. The base of ceramic printed circuit boards is ceramic. Ceramic-based materials in this sort of base have imprinted conductive channels. It outperforms metal core or FR4 circuit boards thanks to better conductivity and several other benefits that set ceramic-based circuits apart. Ceramic boards were created to cram themselves into tight spaces without compromising heat dissipation or the thermal expansion ratio. These surpass traditional circuit boards in several aspects, which are further explained below.

A class of materials having comparable chemical structures and physical properties is referred to as "ceramic." The development of smaller electronic devices has benefited greatly from the use of ceramic printed circuit boards. These boards feature a high heat conductivity and a low coefficient of expansion. Ceramic PCBs are hence less complex and more adaptable than conventional PCBs.

Ceramic-printed circuit board types

Based on the manufacturing method, three types of ceramic PCBs are distinguished.

• Ceramic PCB for High Temperature
• Ceramic PCB for Low Temperature

• Ceramic PCB with a thick film

Ceramic Printed Circuit Boards for High Temperature

This kind of PCB, also known as a high-temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) circuit, is made to withstand high temperatures. These circuit boards are made distinctively. The procedure combines solvent, plasticizer, adhesive, aluminum oxide, and lubricant to produce new ceramics.

The newly created ceramic is covered after development and then circuit tracing on molybdenum or tungsten metals is used. After lamination, the circuits will next undergo a 48-hour baking process between 1600 and 1700 degrees Celsius. The baking will occur in a certain gaseous setting that contains hydrogen gas.

Ceramic printed circuit boards with low temperatures

This kind of PCB, also known as a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTTC) circuit, is made for low temperatures. The production of low-temperature ceramic PCBs is distinct from that of high-temperature or HTCC type. The low-temperature ceramic PCB is made using adhesive material and crystal glass. The gold paste is used to apply both of these substances on a metal sheet.

The board will then be cut and laminated after that. Finally, a gaseous oven will maintain a temperature of 900 degrees Celsius for the circuit.

Better shrink tolerance and reduced warpage may be found in low-temperature ceramic PCBs. In conclusion, LTTC will have more mechanical intensity and thermal conductivity than other varieties, including HTCCs. When working with heat-free items like LED lights, the low-temperature PCB is preferable due to its thermal benefit.

Ceramic printed circuit boards with a thick film

This sort of PCB is made by covering ceramic base material with dielectric and gold pastes. The material will be baked at a temperature of 1000 °C or lower after being coated with any of these pastes. It is preferable to use thick layer ceramic because it prevents copper from oxidizing. As a consequence, an electrical capacitor, resistor, conductor, semiconductor, and conductor may all be interchanged when making a ceramic PCB. This kind is used by producers that are worried about oxidation. This type of PCB's conductor layer may be up to 10 microns thick, but not more than 13 microns thick.

Ceramic printed circuit boards provide advantages.

A ceramic PCB is seen to be the finest alternative for many applications due to its many benefits. Here are a few benefits that make ceramic PCBs a popular option.

High Thermal Expansion: The thermal expansion coefficient of ceramic PCBs is high. Ceramic PCBs are a great option for a variety of devices since they have good thermal conductivity even at high temperatures.

High Pressure: Ceramic PCBs are remarkably versatile and function well even in the presence of great pressure. Heavy-duty applications are perfect for ceramic circuit boards.

High Insulation: Ceramic is also very insulating, which makes it less probable that heat will flow through the substrate, safeguarding the circuit board's components from harm.

High temperature: Ceramic remains usable even under conditions of harsh weather and temperature, increasing its reliability and durability across a range of sectors.

High Frequency: Ceramics has a high frequency and may be utilized in sectors like aerospace and medicine that need to transmit data and electrical signals at high frequencies.

Ceramic PCBs are more cost-effective because they enhance performance while simplifying manufacture and design. As a result, ceramic boards are more affordable than metal (Cu/AL) core PCBs.

Ceramic PCB characteristics

Except for standard boards, which have bottoms made of epoxy glass fiber, polystyrene, and other materials, ceramic panels stand apart from the competition because of their unique features. These qualities include the following:

• Printed circuit boards made of ceramic provide excellent heat conductors.
• Circuit boards made of ceramic are resistant to chemical erosiveness.
• A high level of mechanical compatibility is offered by ceramic PCBs.
• On ceramic boards, high-density outlining is straightforward.
• Finally, they have outstanding CTA component conformance.

Use cases for ceramic PCBs

Due to their low chemical erosion resistance, or CTE, low dielectric constant, and good thermal conductivity, ceramic PCBs are favored for a variety of applications. The following are some uses for ceramic PCBs:

• Memory device
• Module chip-on-board
• Powerful circuits
• VCXOs, TCXOs, and OCXOs are high-precision clock oscillators.
• solid-state receptacle (SSR)
• arrays of solar panels
• Receiving and transmission module
• Interconnect board with many layers
• Analog/digital LEDs on a PCB
• vehicle lighting system
• solar cell sensor telephonic apparatus
• Equipment for semiconductor processing
• a street with a strong light

When selecting a Ceramic Substrate Ceramic PCB manufacturing partner, keep in mind things like delivery time, proper material utilization, and cost optimization. As we adhere to the most recent IPC standards, tolerances, DFM, and DFA guidelines, World Electronics is your go-to partner for your next PCB design.