Do you know what a thick copper PCB is? In this guide, we will enlighten you on both the advanced and basic concepts of thick copper printed circuit boards. Reading this guide is very necessary before you go ahead to import or fabricate thick copper PCBs. This will make you an expert in the field. Before we go into details, let’s first learn what PCB is.
What is a PCB?
The full meaning of PCB is printed circuit board. This holds electric components on one platform, while offering electrical connection and structural support to the components.
Printed circuit boards decrease wire connections’ complexity, while increasing the circuit’s reliability. This allows large circuits to be created, and having this ability to link many electronic components having different functions.
Furthermore, the printed circuit board gets rid of wire complexity. It achieves this by connecting the components internally via etched conductive paths or lines.
The application of PCBs is found in various electrical equipments such as industrial machines, medical equipment, automotive industry, lighting features, and electrical appliances of different industries
What does Thick Copper PCB Mean?
Thick copper printed circuit boards contain a copper material having over three ounces for each square foot and utilized in the carrying of loads with high current.
You’ll discover that the copper material’s thickness utilized in this type of PCB falls within the range of 105 – 400 µm. Furthermore, thick copper printed circuit boards have the ability to sustain dissipation at high temperature while offering firmer connections.
In addition, this property for thermal management ensures that the thick copper PCB gets rid of thermal stress.
What is the Thickness of 5oz Copper?
In the industry of printed circuit boards, one way of expressing the thickness of copper on printed circuit boards is in ounces (oz). Now the question comes – why utilize a unit for weight in specifying thickness? Good question.
Now if copper of 1oz (approximately 28.35g) is flattened just to cover a surface area of 1 sq ft (0.093 sq meter), then the thickness that will result is 1.37 mils or 0.00348mm. Therefore, for the 5oz PCB, you should expect a thickness of 6.85 mils or 0.1740mm.
Benefits of Using 5oz PCB
Now using a thick copper PCB of 5oz, features some benefits. With this, you can use thick copper printed circuit boards in some applications.
Helps in conducting large amounts of current
With this feature, thick copper PCBs are useful in machineries or equipment having large capabilities for current like heavy machinery used in industries.
Distributes Dissipated Heat in an Impressive Manner
The 5oz PCB has great efficiency in managing thermal energy, as well as enabling the reliability of its performance. They will work fine in high temperatures and you won’t find any slack in its level of performance. In addition, this feature allows its use in any high power equipment and machinery.
Great mechanical strength
5oz PCB offers its components great foundational support, thereby making these components functionally dependable and firm. This means that it provides great support structure.
It is very compatible with some other materials
During the manufacturing of PCBs, there are other materials useful for the process of fabrication. The use of different materials could lead to compatibility problems, which leads to failure in these components. However, with 5oz PCB, there are reduced instances of these failures. This is due to the high compatibility of 5oz PCB with different materials.
Elements of Design for 5oz PCB
5oz PCBs can serve as a very efficient option when we talk of managing the generation of heat during the process. Why this is so, is that a 5oz PCB can hold large amounts of current, and still deposit excess heat safely.
Furthermore, you will discover that your 5oz design must deliberate on your applied system’s needs. Therefore, the following are elements of design that you must emphasize.
- The component’s spacing on the printed circuit board
- Dimensions necessary for your PCB
- Types of components you should accommodate on the printed circuit board.
Process of Fabricating 5oz PCB
You can fabricate the 5oz PCB, by the application of copper layers into the substrate.
Because copper is known to be electrically conductive, you will get a path that is conductive enough for the transfer of electric current between the components.
With respect to the application, you must consider elements of design such as type of component, spacing, and size, before you begin with the process of fabrication.
Two major approaches exists during the fabrication of 5oz PCB
Etching
This process involves cutting the pattern into a specific surface before the highlighting of the pattern. In this case, you will pattern the conductive path’s design to the substrate. You then fill up this cut pattern with molten copper.
Plating
This has to do with adding the deposits of a material’s surface with another. You also apply this process when fabricating 5oz pcbs. Here, you deposit the copper to the substrate working with the design of its conductive path.
Concerning these processes above, you perform them on the substrate. This is achieved by making use of sidewalls, as well as holes using printing screens.
Designing your 5oz PCB
It is possible to design a 5oz PCB. This is possible using computer-aided softwares. You will find these softwares easy to use in both industrial labs and academic halls. This allows you to develop your desired PCB designs elaborately.
The softwares can either be web-based or OS-based. This software is useful in designing the diagrams of the circuit, as well as editing them schematically. Furthermore, some software offers simulation, which allows users to both export and import the desirable features into the layout of your PCB.
In addition, some permit the visualization of 3D design, coupled with allowing the incorporation of all the components of your circuit into your design. You can achieve all these from anywhere, as these softwares support different languages.
Conclusion
You can produce 5oz pcb either through plating or etching. This pcb also comes with different benefits, which makes them come with high demand. As a result of its great benefits and features, 5oz pcb will surely meet your electrical demands and requirements.
