Great news! JLCPCB aluminum substrates are now available!

Responding to strong market interest, JLCPCB Group was pleased to announce the launch of its aluminum substrate in mid-May 2021. Further expanding its product portfolio, the company introduced a high-performance Direct Bonded Copper (DBC) substrate in April 2022, designed for enhanced heat dissipation.

Aluminum Substrate Overview

An aluminum substrate is a type of metal core copper clad laminate (MCCL) known for its excellent heat dissipation properties. A standard single-layer aluminum substrate typically consists of three layers: a circuit layer (copper foil), a dielectric insulation layer, and the aluminum base. Commonly used in products with significant heat generation, it is widely applied in fields such as hybrid integrated circuits (HIC), LED lighting, and office automation equipment.

Aluminum Substrate Capabilities

1. Layers: 1 layer (single-sided aluminum substrate)

2. Board thickness: 0.8mm, 1.0mm, 1.2mm, 1.6mm (1OZ copper thickness)

3. Minimum drilling: 0.65mm

4. Minimum size: 5*5mm, maximum size: 602*506mm (generally uses V-cut panelization, minimum panel dimension is 70*70mm, maximum panel dimension is 475*475mm)

5. Minimum trace width and spacing: 0.10/0.10mm (please design wider); AOI full inspection + Flying Probe Random Test

6. Solder mask color: white, black

7. Silkscreen color: black, white (silkscreen will be white when solder mask is black, silkscreen will be black when solder mask is white)

8. Delivery Format：Single PCB, Panel with V-CUT and milling (minimum milling slot width: 1.6mm), stamp hole panelization not recommended.

10. Specific data table：

Key Considerations for Aluminum Substrates:

1. SMT Components Only:

Single-sided aluminum substrates generally solder SMT components on the copper foil layer, it’s advised not to solder through-hole components to avoid short circuits caused by the legs touching the aluminum base.

2. Silkscreen on Aluminum Surface:

It's advised not to print characters on the aluminum base as the adhesion is weak and the characters, especially white ones, are not clear. If it is necessary to print characters on the aluminum base, please add order remark.

3. Minimum Routing (CNC) Tool Size:​

Shaping (CNC) with a minimum milling cutter of 1.6mm, thus slot holes or panel gaps need to be ≥1.6mm.

4. V-Scoring Process:

Shaping (V-CUT) uses a diamond V-cut tool to reduce burrs, cutting deeper on the aluminum side than the copper foil side to prevent warping and defects on the circuit face.

5. Panelization via Breakaway Tabs (Mouse Bites):

Aluminum substrates generally do not recommend stamp hole panelization (if    insisted, note well when ordering; we assume you accept in depaneling the board difficulty and defects such as burrs and protrusions by default).

Order Your first Aluminum PCB at JLCPCB Now！