Today, electronic devices have become powerful and reliable even in harsh conditions, thanks to printed circuit boards. Without a PCB, you do not have modern electronics. Printed Circuit Boards come with many benefits. However, there are different types of PCBs.
One common type of PCB you will encounter is Ceramic Printed Circuit Board. It has become a fantastic alternative to standard PCBs due to its numerous advantages. Here is all you need to know about Ceramic PCB.
What is a Ceramic Printed Circuit Board?
Ceramic PCB is a circuit board used in various fields due to its high-quality mechanical and thermal benefits. It has unique features and high thermal conductivity and can be used in small and big electronic devices.
A ceramic PCB uses ceramics as the base material. Thus, the components are soldered onto the ceramic. When building modern electronics, Ceramic PCB is preferred over traditional circuit boards.
This is because it is lightweight, biodegradable, and flexible. And since ceramics are great insulators, the boards do not need electrical insulation. In addition, it can be used on various devices.
Ceramic PCBs are a bit more expensive than traditional PCBs. They take more time during construction than other PCBs. But on the other hand, ceramic circuit boards need less maintenance.
Pros of Ceramic Printed Circuit Boards
Easy Multi-layering
One advantage of ceramic PCBs is the easy multi-layering. This is because ceramics have remarkable strength that can be made in multiple layers. With excellent strength of the material, it means you can add more layers to the top.
So, if you are building a multilayer PCB, ceramic gives you an advantage because it can handle even complex tasks.
Cost-effectiveness
Ceramics are cost-effective. Even though it may seem like ceramic is an expensive material than others, it is cost-effective in the long run. First, ceramic is not an expensive material compared to some materials. In addition, it makes the manufacturing process cheaper and more remarkable, even for complex devices.
High thermal conductivity
Ceramics circuit boards are the best for the device’s ability to transfer heat. Since the boards have remarkable thermal conductivity, they perform better than others. In addition, the ceramic protects the gadget from getting damaged and controls the temperature.
High-quality insulation
While standard circuit boards have issues with high voltage, ceramic circuit boards do not have issues. This is because they support exceptional insulating properties. Hence, they are great when insulating electrical resistance in gadgets, devices, and machinery.
Cons of Ceramic Printed Circuit Boards
Cost
Compared to some materials that make normal circuit boards, ceramic is a bit costly. Hence, it might be a challenge to manufacture ceramic PCB boards, such as drill or CNC milling; it needs special tools. That’s the reason that the industries that use ceramic PCBs are military and aerospace.
Prone to damages
Another con that makes most PCB manufacturers stay away from ceramic is handling. Even though ceramic is durable, strong, and cannot be damaged easily by heat or extreme weather conditions, they are very fragile.
Once they are damaged, they need a lot to be repaired. Also, due to their size, they can only fit in large devices.
Types of Ceramic PCBs
Low-temperature Ceramic Printed Circuit Boards
One common type of ceramic PCB is low-temperature. These are boards built to be used in low-temperature environments. They have thermal conductivity, insulation resistance, and remarkable mechanical strength. They are designed for electronics such as freezers, fridges, coolants, and others.
High-temperature Ceramic Printed Circuit Boards.
These are outstanding printed circuit boards made to be used in high-temperature conditions. They are built from a ceramic material known as alumina. Since the material has a high melting point, they are found in devices such as furnaces, ovens, and kilns. You will also find them in military equipment, satellites, spacecraft, and others.
Thick film ceramic printed circuit boards.
Thick film ceramic boards are thicker than high-temperature ceramic PCBs and low-temperature PCBs. This means they are used in extremely high temperatures. Due to their thickness, the boards can accommodate many electronic components.
Summary
Ceramic PCBs are excellent for various types of electronic devices. They are suited for high pressure, high temperature, high frequency, and high insulation temperature. They can be used in extremely high or low-temperature environments.
Even though manufacturing is more costly than building a standard PCB, the pros outshine the cons. Hence, more and more people are choosing circuit boards made of ceramic over other materials.
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