What is Rogers CuClad 233 PCB ?

The Rogers CuClad 233 is a pretty popular cross-plied laminate that is reinforced using PTFE and woven fiberglass. Due to these features, this laminate can offer a dielectric constant that is pretty low, as low as 2.33. In addition, the reinforcements on this laminate boost its stability and efficiency. You hence get quality as a net result each time you opt to utilize this laminate on your PCB. However, is there more to the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate that makes it stand out? Which benefits do you get when you utilize this laminate? And what properties make up this incredible laminate?

About the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate utilizes a medium PTFE/fiberglass ratio which balances off the lower Dk. Due to this feature, the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate can boost its dissipation factor with no effect on the mechanical properties. In addition, the laminate is also reinforced using woven glass, which in turn increases the laminate’s dimensional stability. These two features make the Rogers CuClad 233 an excellent choice for low-noise amplifiers, couplers, and filters.

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a construction that is cross plied. Due to this construction, the laminate can maintain impeccable dimensional stability. It can also balance mechanical and electrical properties, which in turn boost its efficiency immensely.

Features of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate bears the following features that make it stand out when you compare it with other laminates:

1. A low Dk (dielectric constant) – The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a pretty low Dk. Due to this Dk, the laminate can handle signal propagation impeccably. It also boosts the laminates dissipation factor making the laminate more efficient.
2. A dissipation factor (Df) of 0.0013 at a bandwidth of 10GHz – The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has great Df. With this dissipation factor, the laminate can dissipate heat aggressively, which is suitable for PCBs.
3. Out-gassing and a low rate of moisture absorption – The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a low rate of moisture absorption. The laminate absorbs water at a rate of 0.02%. Due to this absorption rate, the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate can function well in different environments.
4. A stable dielectric constant – The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a stable dielectric constant. Hence, you can utilize it over a more comprehensive frequency range with little to no effect on the laminate’s dielectric constant.

Benefits of utilizing the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate

If you are looking to utilize the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate, here are some benefits that you are going to get:

1. Support for Large antennas and PCB formats
2. A lower dielectric constant that supports a broad line width which ultimately lowers insertion loss
3. Lower circuit losses even in higher frequencies
4. An in-plane value that matches that of aluminum utilized in aircraft structures/ skins

Typical applications of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate

The Rogers CuClad 233 has a couple of applications which include:

1. Applications in military electronics (ESM, ECM, Radar)
2. Application in microwave components (LNAs, couplers, filters, et cetera)

Properties of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate features the following properties. Each one curves the laminate into one of the best laminates in the world today.

Physical properties

Physical properties are the properties that we can observe and measure without affecting a component’s chemical composition.

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate bears the following physical properties:

Density

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a density of:

• 2.26 g/cc

Water Absorption

Water absorption is one feature that stands out in the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate. The laminate bears a pretty low water absorption rate that hits:

• 0.02% under normal conditions

Outgassing (total mass loss)

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has an outgassing value of 0.00% (and 0.010 via NASA) under the following conditions:

• The pressure that is less than or equal to 1.33e-10MPa
• And a temperature of 125⁰C

Volatile condensable components (collected)

The laminate has 0.010% volatile condensable components under the following test conditions:

• Pressure that is less than or equal to 1.33e-10MPa
• And temperatures hitting up to 125⁰C

Mechanical properties of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate

When you apply a force upon a Rogers CuClad 233 laminate, it is bound to exhibit the following mechanical properties:

Tensile strength

Under normal conditions, the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a tensile strength of:

• 67.6 MPa

Modulus of elasticity

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has the following modulus of elasticity:

• 2.85 GPA

Flexure modulus

The flexure modulus of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate under a temperature of 23⁰C is:

• >=2.56 GPA

Compressive modulus

The compressive modulus of this laminate under 23⁰C stands at:

• 1.90 GPA

Peel strength

After applying thermal stress to the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate, its peel strength hits a whooping:

• 2.45 kN/m

Electrical properties of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate

Electrical properties bring out a component’s ability to conduct electricity efficiently. These properties are crucial when dealing with Print Circuit Board laminates.

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate features the following electrical properties:

Volume resistivity

Under normal conditions, the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate bears the following volume resistivity:

• 8.00e + 14 ohms- cm

Surface resistance

The surface resistance of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate is:

• 2.40e + 12 ohm

Under C96/35/90 test conditions.

Dielectric constant (Dk)

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a dielectric constant of 2.33 under the following test conditions:

• A frequency of 1.00e + 6 Hz

When you up the frequency to 1.00e + 10 Hz, the Dk of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate remains stagnant at:

• 2.33

Dielectric Breakdown

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has the following dielectric breakdown:

• >= 45000V

To attain these values, you have to utilize D48/50 test conditions:

Dissipation factor

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a dissipation factor of 0.0013 under the following conditions:

• A frequency of 1.00e + 10Hz

Arc resistance

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has an arc resistance that is:

• >= 180 sec

Thermal properties of the Rogers CuClad 233 laminate

Thermal properties are a significant factor to consider as PCBs are almost always under constant heat. Hence having a laminate with impeccable thermal properties is essential.

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has the following thermal properties:

CTE linear

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has an X CTE linear of 23.0 µm/m-°C under the following conditions:

• A temperature range of 0.000 – 100 ⁰C

Under the same test conditions, the y-direction CTE linear value hits 24.0 µm/m-°C under the same test conditions.

Thermal conductivity

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has the following thermal conductivity:

• 0.258 W/m-K

Under the following test conditions:

• A temperature that hits up to 100⁰C

Flammability

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate has a flammability rating of:

• V-0

Conclusion

The Rogers CuClad 233 laminate is a durable, efficient and effective laminate. Its feature and benefits make it one of a kind in the tech market. Hence if you are looking for a laminate to utilize on your PCB, look no further.