What is Rogers CLTE PCB ?

Rogers CLTEs are laminates that are PTFE-based. They have incredible features that help them provide a stable dielectric constant and a low TE (thermal expansion). Since its debut in the market, the Rogers CLTE laminate has been one of the best laminates to use in PCBs. But what feature make up this laminate? What properties set this laminate apart from other laminates in the market today? And why should you consider using this laminate?

About the Rogers CLTE and why you should consider using it

The Rogers CLTE laminate has great dimensional stability and a planar CTE that is pretty low. These two features help this laminate offer consistent performance.

Rogers CLTE laminate also features properties that make them great to utilize with various resistor foils. They also feature different cladding type variations, which include reverse treated and electrodeposited.

Rogers CLTE laminates have incredible performance and durability. These two features make this laminate an excellent choice for applications in airborne and ground-based radar and communication systems.

Features of the Rogers CLTE laminates

The Rogers CLTE laminate bears the following feature that makes it stand out when you compare it to other laminates. These features don’t just make this laminate unique; they also make it efficient.

1. The Rogers CLTE laminate features a thermal expansion that is pretty low in the Z, X, and Y of  34, 12, and 10 ppm/⁰C
2. These laminates provide a consistent thin, reliable laminate solution (0.003″). Hence if you are looking to create a lightweight gadget, then this is the laminate to utilize
3. The Rogers CLTE laminate also features a pretty stable dielectric constant under a wide temperature range
4. Lastly, these laminates feature rubber backing variations of heavy metal. You can hence choose the variation that best suits your project.

Benefits of utilizing the Rogers CLTE laminate

Since its debut in the tech market, the Rogers CLTE laminate has brought in tremendous benefits. These benefits have made them pretty popular.

Some of the most popular benefits of utilizing the Rogers CLTE laminate include:

1. High plated THT reliability – these laminates provide outstanding reliability in THT assemblies. Hence if you are planning on assembling your print circuit board using the THT process, then this is the laminate to utilize
2. Less stress on ceramic active gadgets – these laminate bear features help them attach well onto ceramic active devices.
3. A pretty reliable design – The Rogers CLTE laminate has a great design. What’s more, it features a network of embedded resistors that boost its efficiency.
4. Supports for boards with multiple layers – These laminate support complex boards with many layers.

Applications of the Rogers CLTE laminate

Rogers CLTE laminates have a lot of applications due to their unique feature. Some of these applications include:

1. To create power amplifiers
2. To create patch antennas
3. In ADA (advanced driver assistance) systems
4. To generate antennas that have a phased array

Properties of the Rogers CLTE laminate

Properties define a component. They bring out the component’s electrical, thermal, mechanical, and physical properties. Using these features, you can tell whether or not the component is suitable for your projects. They also define the component’s efficiency, which makes them crucial.

The Rogers CLTE laminate hence bears the following properties:

Electrical properties

These properties bring out a component’s ability to efficiently conduct electric current. The Rogers CLTE laminate has the following electrical properties:

Dielectric constant

At a temperature of 23⁰C, a bandwidth of 10GHz, and an RH of 50%. The dielectric constant of the Rogers CLTE laminate stands at:

• 2.98

Dissipation factor

Under a temperature of 23⁰C, a bandwidth of 10 GHz and an RH of 50%. The dissipation factor of the Rogers CLTE laminate is:

• 0.0021

Dielectric constant

When you place a Rogers CLTE under C-24/23/50 test conditions, it has the following dielectric constant:

• 2.98

The bandwidth in this experiment is still 10 GHz, just like the previous tests.

Thermal coefficient of dielectric constant

Under a temperature range of -50⁰C to 150⁰C and bandwidth of 10GHz. The thermal coefficient of the dielectric constant of this laminate is:

• 6 ppm/⁰C

Volume resistivity

The volume resistivity of the Rogers CLTE laminate is:

• 1.40 x 10⁹ Mohm-cm

We utilize the C-96/35/90 test conditions to carry out this test.

Surface resistivity

Under C-96/35/90 test conditions, the Rogers CLTE laminate bears the following surface resistivity:

• 1.30 x 10⁶ Mohm

Dielectric strength

The Rogers CLTE laminate has the following dielectric strength under normal conditions:

• 1100 V/mil

Dielectric break down

The Rogers CLTE laminate has the following dielectric breakdown under X/Y direction and D-48/50 test conditions:

• 64 kV

Thermal properties of the Rogers CLTE laminate

Thermal properties are the properties that show up when you heat a gas, a liquid, or a solid component. The response may be a change in the component’s phase transition, volume or length, or even temperature increases.

The Rogers CLTE laminate bears the following thermal properties:

Decomposition temperature

When you place the Rogers CLTE laminate under a temperature of 105⁰C for 2 hours then apply a weight loss of 5%. The decomposition temperature of the laminate hits:

•  5.38 ⁰C

Coefficient of thermal expansion

When you place the Rogers CLTE laminate under a temperature range of -55 – 288⁰C. The x coefficient of thermal expansion of the laminate becomes:

• 9.9 ppm/⁰C

The y coefficient of thermal expansion, on the other hand, hits

• 9.4 ppm/⁰C

Lastly, the z coefficient of thermal expansion shoots up to:

• 57.9 ppm/⁰C

Thermal conductivity

The thermal conductivity of the Rogers CLTE laminate under the z-direction test conditions hits:

• 0.5 W/mk

Delamination time

Delamination time of a PCB that utilizes a Rogers CLTE laminate is usually:

• >60 minutes

However, for this to occur, you have to expose the laminate to a high temperature of about 288⁰C.

Mechanical properties of the Rogers CLTE laminate

Mechanical properties are the properties exhibited by a component once you apply a force upon them. The properties include modulus elasticity, fatigue limit, hardness, et cetera.

The Rogers CLTE laminate bears the following mechanical properties:

Copper peel strength

After exposing the Rogers CLTE laminate to thermal stress using a temperature of 288⁰C for about 10 sec. you will note that the copper peel strength hit:

• 1.2 N/mm

Flexure strength

When you expose the Rogers CLTE laminate to a temperature of 25⁰C (plus or minus 3⁰C). The flexure strength of the laminate is:

• 92.4, 86.9 MPa

Tensile strength

The tensile strength of the Rogers CLTE laminate under 23C/50RH test conditions is:

• 73.8 and 71.0 MPa

Physical properties of the Rogers CLTE

Physical properties are the properties that we can observe without altering the identity of a component.

The Rogers CLTE laminate bears the following physical properties:

Moisture absorption

The Rogers CLTE laminate has a pretty low moisture absorption rate of:

• 0.04%

Specific heat capacity

The specific heat capacity of a Rogers CLTE laminate under a temperature of 105 ⁰C for 2 hours is:

• 0.60 J/gK

Conclusion

The Rogers CLTE laminate provides a stable dielectric constant and a thermal expansion rate that is pretty low. These two features make this laminate pretty efficient. However, this is not the only feature that makes this laminate one of the best laminates in the world, as we have seen. Hence if you are looking to up your laminate game, you can try out this laminate and note the difference.