WHAT IS THE FR4 MATERIAL ?
FR-4 is the code name of a fire-resistant material grade, which means a material specification that the resin material must be able to self-extinguish after burning.
It is not a material name, but a material grade.
FR4 laminate is the usual base material from which plated-through-hole and multilayer printed circuit boards are constructed. “FR” means Flame Retardant, and Type “4” indicates woven glass reinforced epoxy resin.
ARE PCBS MADE OF FR4 ?
Most PCBs are made of FR4 (Flame Retardant level 4).
The composition of the material constitutes fibers of glass in the epoxy resin. This material has anti-flame properties. The composition of the material is according to the standard UL94V-0.
WATERPROOF ?
FR4 material does not have any ability to absorb water, so it has good electrical insulating properties.
IS FR4 TOXIC?
That is for sure
EXPOSURE ROUTES：
- inhalation, skin and/or eye contact
- SYMPTOMS
- irritation of eyes, skin, nose, and throat; dyspnea (breathing difficulty)
- Damage Organ
- Eyes, skin, respiratory system
WHY DO YOU THINK FR4 MATERIAL IS THE BEST MATERIAL?
It is a very good fire-resistant.
FR4 has the benefit of a good resistance weight ratio.
It does not absorb moisture or water.
The affordable cost of FR4s make them a standard option for the production of small series of PCBs or for electronic prototyping.
It has high mechanical strength.
It has a good insulating capacity in humid or dry environments.
Its maximum ambient temperature is 248°F to 266°F depending on its brand and its filler.
The core material used is laminated together to produce layers at high temperature and pressure.
OTHER PCB MATERIALS
There are many alternative circuit board materials to FR4. These include FR2, CEM 1 and CEM 3.
However, the strength of FR4, especially for multilayer boards, is the main factor that sets it apart from its alternatives as the industry standard.
In addition to FR4, other materials are available for single-sided, double-sided, non-plated through-hole and multilayer PCBs.
For example: FR5, Teflon, Polyimide
STANDARD RIGID FR4
Designed for use in high-density multi-layer boards, FR4 is suitable for surface mount multi-layers, MCM-Ls, direct chip attach, and automotive and wireless communications. The characteristics of FR4 also make it particularly beneficial in high-volume fine-line multi-layers and PCMCIA applications.
The predictability and consistency of this material provide for tremendous ease of processing at the circuit board fabrication site, and its electrical and mechanical characteristics make it user-friendly for both designers and fabricators of critical circuits.
UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD NOT CHOOSE FR4?
As mentioned above, FR4 is really a good standard or default option for your board material in most cases.
However, in some cases it is not the best material for your board, as shown below.
If lead free soldering is required
If your boards will be sold in Europe and must comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), or if your customers require lead-free soldering, you may want to explore other material options.
This is because the reflow temperature of lead-free PCBAs can be as high as 250°C, which greatly exceeds the Tg of many versions of FR4.
If it is used at high temperature
It is also not recommended if the PCB is required to operate in an extremely high temperature environment.
If high frequency signals are used
At high frequencies, constant impedance cannot be maintained and reflections that negatively affect signal integrity can occur. This is the result of a relatively high dk value.
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