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What is FR4 in PCB?

FR-4 refers to a grade of epoxy fiberglass material where the FR stands for "flame retarding". FR-4 is the most common substrate material for rigid PCBs, particularly prototypes. In the PCB, the pre-preg and core will be made of this material. FR-4 materials with higher glass transition temperatures are available for multi-layer boards.

Advantages of FR-4 PCB

  • Moderate Dielectric Constant: With a dielectric constant of around 4.5 at 1 MHz, FR-4 offers stable electrical performance suitable for various applications.

  • Good Insulation Performance: The high insulation performance of epoxy resin in FR-4 ensures excellent insulation, preventing short circuits between circuit boards effectively.

  • High Temperature Resistance: FR-4 exhibits good temperature resistance, capable of withstanding high temperatures up to 150°C or higher, making it suitable for demanding applications.

  • Cost-Effective Solution: FR-4 is a highly economical PCB substrate material, making it a preferred choice for cost-efficient mass production without compromising quality.

Applications of FR4 PCB

  • Consumer Electronics: FR4 is integral in smartphones, laptops, wearables, TVs, gaming consoles, and IoT devices, ensuring durability, performance, and reliability in modern electronic circuits.

  • Automotive Systems: FR4 supports ADAS, power management units, and thermal management in vehicles, offering reliability under harsh conditions and vital thermal performance enhancements.

  • Industrial Automation and Robotics: FR4 enables reliability under mechanical stress and harsh environments in industrial automation, powering robotic controllers and industrial sensors for seamless operations.

Why JLCPCB's FR4 PCB?

  • icon Easy Ordering Process

    Upload your Gerber file, and you can directly choose FR4 in the Base Material option, then get an instant quote! Easy as online shopping.

  • icon Affordable Manufacturing

    Get 1-8 layer PCBs for just $2! Thanks to the efficient large-scale production, JLCPCB offers unbeatable prices for FR4 PCBs.

  • icon Reliable Services

    Partnering with Industry-leading suppliers, JLCPCB makes in-house production with strict quality control. Fast PCB production in just 24 hours.

Reliable FR4 PCBs, Made Easy with JLCPCB

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FAQs

  • What does FR4 stand for in FR4 PCB?

    FR4 stands for Flame Retardant 4, indicating that the material is a flame-retardant grade of glass-reinforced epoxy laminate used in printed circuit boards.

  • What are the limitations of FR4 PCB?

    FR4 PCB may suffer from performance limitations at higher frequencies due to dielectric losses, making them less suitable for RF applications and high-speed digital circuits.

  • Are there alternatives to FR4 PCB?

    Yes, there are alternative materials like Rogers PCBs, ceramic PCBs, and flexible PCBs that offer different characteristics such as better high-frequency performance, thermal conductivity, or flexibility compared to FR4.

  • What is the typical operating temperature range for FR4 PCB?

    FR4 PCB can typically withstand operating temperatures up to 130-150°C, making them suitable for applications that require heat resistance.