How to Choose the Thickness of PCB

First, in the world of electronic products, the PCB is often referred to as the "heart", it connects everything together making the board thickness an important parameter for this crucial component. Whether the thickness of the PCB is appropriately selected directly affects the performance, stability, and reliability of final electronic products.

The process of selecting PCB thickness is influenced by various factors, such as product application scenarios, board material, and number of copper layers. Therefore, these factors need to be comprehensively considered when selecting the thickness of a PCB.

Characteristics and Application of different PCB thicknesses

Most commonly used PCB thicknesses include 0.4mm, 0.6mm, 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm, 1.6mm, 2.0mm. PCBs of varying thicknesses will have varying effects on the circuit performance.

Ultra-thin PCB (below 0.6 mm)

Ultra-thin PCBs are lightweight, soft, and easy to bend, making them suitable for products that require a high level of space efficiency, such as :

• Smartphones and tablets

• wearable devices

• Robotics

• Laptops

• Drones

These products require very thin and light PCBs, so using PCBs with ultra-thin thickness can meet the needs. However, the load-bearing capacity of thin plates is relatively weak and is not suitable for scenarios that require carrying heavier components.

Mid-Range Thin PCBs (0.6-1.6 mm)

The mid-range PCB has a good balance between thickness and load-bearing capacity, making it suitable for a wide range of electronic products, including computer motherboards and home appliance control boards. The stiffness and stability of the mid-plate are moderate, which makes it suitable for most application scenarios. Compared to other thicknesses, the price of mid-board is relatively low and more economical. At JLCPCB ranging from 0.8mm to 1.6mm starts at only $2.

The most common and widely used PCB thickness when using the FR-4 substrate in the electronics industry is 1.57 mm,also called standard PCB thickness. It is typically used for general applications, including consumer electronics, smart homes, and industrial controls. These applications do not require particularly high mechanical strength or conductive properties, so the default thickness is considered sufficient.

Thicker PCBs (above 1.6 mm)

Thick boards have a high load-bearing capacity and stiffness, making them suitable for electronic products that require the carrying of high-power and heavy components. Thicker PCBs are also suitable to be exposed to harsh environments. These applications include :

•    Industrial control boards

•    Automotive circuit boards

•    Aerospace

•   Railway transportation

These applications require PCBs with high mechanical strength and durability.

They are also used for PCBs with large outline dimensions, where regular thickness PCBs would start to deform and bend. However, thick boards are relatively expensive and challenging to process.

Key factors affecting PCB thickness:

1. The number of PCB layers: The more copper layers a circuit board has, the greater its thickness will typically be.

2. Signal type: Circuit boards carrying high-power signals typically require thicker copper layers and wider traces, while circuit boards in low-power environments can be thinner.

3. Material selection: Different materials have varying thickness characteristics, and selecting different materials can impact the thickness of the circuit board.

4. Operating environment: In harsh environments, thin or flexible boards may not be the most suitable choice. Similarly, thicker copper traces have larger thermal mass and they are less thermally stable when exposed to high currents, which makes them less suitable for temperature changes.

5. Copper Thickness: The overall thickness of the PCB is influenced by the thickness of the copper layers it has. Thicker copper layers, such as 2 ounces or 3 ounces of copper, have a greater impact on the overall thickness compared to thinner copper layers. Contribute more than one ounce of copper.

6. Special requirements: Certain applications may necessitate customized circuit board thickness, such as high-density boards or circuit boards used in unique environments.

How to Choose the Appropriate PCB Thickness

When selecting a PCB type, you need to consider whether the thickness of the circuit board is suitable for the application requirements. Generally speaking, when choosing the thickness of a PCB, the following factors should be considered:

Clarify application needs and performance requirements: Before selecting the PCB thickness, it is important to have a clear understanding of the application performance requirements, various different scenarios, and component load-bearing requirements. This will ensure that the chosen thickness is able to meet the product's specific requirements.

Safety of the circuit board: If the circuit board needs to withstand high voltage or current, it is important to select a thicker circuit board to ensure its safe operation.

Mechanical properties of the circuit board: If the circuit board needs to withstand high mechanical influence, it is advisable to choose a thicker PCB to ensure its mechanical strength

Production cost: Thicker the PCB, the higher production cost. Therefore, when selecting a PCB, it is important to ensure product performance while also considering the maturity of production technology and the cost of the PCB thickness.

Generally speaking, the expected turnaround time for receiving custom PCB layer thicknesses is longer due to the unusual thickness specifications.

Conclusion:

Choosing the appropriate PCB thickness is a crucial factor in ensuring optimal board performance and reliability. Taking into account factors such as engineers' application needs, cost, and manufacturing capabilities, JLCPCB acts as a PCB manufacture and supports PCB production from 1 to 20 layers and offers a thickness range of 0.7mm to 2.5mm.Engineers can choose the appropriate thickness based on their specific requirements. Whether you require standard FR-4 materials or specialized materials, JLCPCB can offer tailored solutions.