Aluminium Based Copper Clad PCBs
This type of PCB is also called aluminum base, aluminium PCBs, aluminum clad or backed, insulated metal substrate (IMS), metal clad (MCPCB), or thermally conductive PCBs.
Limitations in the PCB manufacturing process
Aluminium based PCBs are best suited to single sided PCBs because of the impracticality of manufacturing plated through holes through the metal base material. For more information or advice, get in touch with our experts. Call us on 01635 40347.
What are Aluminium based copper clad PCBs?
For a typical metal based single sided PCB, the base laminate is made up of copper foil bonded to a thin, thermally conductive insulating dielectric which is in turn bonded to a thick metal base, usually aluminium. The copper layer is processed in the normal way to create the tracking layer, and the profile is machined to the required shape and size. The aluminium substrate must be protected from the etching chemicals during the manufacturing process. The material is particularly suited for population with surface mounted devices. Though hole components are not appropriate because the metal base material is not an insulator. We offer single sided metal clad PCBs as standard.
Why use Aluminium based copper clad PCBs?
Greatly improved heat dissipation without using external heat-sinks
Very mechanically rigid base laminate
Dramatically reduce thermal stress on components, improving reliability and MTBF Relatively low cost
Improved heat transfer allows thinner base copper and thinner tracking for high current designs as compared with standard FR4 laminate PCB construction
Better thermal management permits closer component mounting and smaller PCBs, yielding overall cost savings
About our aluminium based copper clad PCBs
Aircraft landing lights
Cabin mood lighting systems
Camping gear
Automotive dashboards
Display boards
High power flash lights
Signal beacons
Power converters
Power supplies
Power transmission systems
Power distribution products
High power scanning technology
Ignition systems
Interior lighting
Landscape lighting
Medical operating theatre lighting
Room lighting
Automotive running lights
Spotlights and general lighting
Street lighting
Traffic control lighting
Tail light assemblies
There is a wide variety of this type of laminate available. To allow us to offer fast turnaround deliveries, we hold stocks of the type listed below:
| Aluminium thickness: | 1.5mm |
| FR4 dielectric thickness: | 100 micron |
| Copper thickness: | 35 micron |
| Overall thickness: | 1.635mm |
| Thickness tolerance: | +/- 10% |
| Sides of copper: | single |
| Thermal conductivity: | 2.0W/mK |
| Flammability rating: | 94V0 |
| UL file number: | E206580 |
Our standard finish is white solder resist, black legend and immersion silver. Other finishes are available.
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