What is an FR-4 laminate? FR-4 is a flame retardant, homogeneous, thermosetting material. The fiberglass substrate has a flame-resistant epoxy resin coating in the application. The substrate typically consists of epoxy glass fabric, Kevlar, and woven roving. The laminate is then covered with pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). Next, we encapsulate it in fiberglass cloth. Finally, we cure the laminate under heat at approximately 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The FR-4 epoxy is high-temperature resistant. Additionally, it offers excellent adhesion qualities of the laminate by its adhesive properties.
The N4000 Series offers the best blends of high-performance epoxy for your new product. We offer more than 15 colors, six shores A hardness grades, and four mil thicknesses. The N4000 Series meets your exact performance requirements at a price that exceeds your expectations.
Epoxy Advantages
The high-performance epoxy utilized in this product is high-strength and has low permeability. Therefore, it makes it ideal for environmentally critical applications. As a result, we can formulate the epoxy compounds to meet your critical requirements. Examples include UL94 V-0 flame retardant, PCB level control, low smoke and halogen levels, and microwave compatibility. In addition, the epoxy is solvent-free. Also, it has excellent leveling, adhesion, and sanding characteristics.
It is ideal for the “Green Revolution” with a plastic resin formulation free of solvents and halogens. So, this material possesses excellent bonding and leveling characteristics. It can be helpful in thermoset, thermoplastic, and hybrid applications. The epoxy compound combines with no additives. As a result, it provides an ideal blend of adhesion and leveling compounds to perform at or above industry standards.
We formulate the epoxy as FR-4 to meet electrical requirements and have excellent threshold level control.
Technical Specifications
NELCO N4000-7 SI Compatible Materials (first column) and Thickness(s) or Layer(s) (second column).
N4000 Series includes three different glass grades (1.5 mm, 1.2 mm, and 0.6 mm) with an epoxy resin in a binder system. The glass cloths have excellent toughness, color stability. Additionally, it has thermal shock resistance and high-temperature capability.
Standard Roll Sizes:
All standard rolls are 185 ft / 115 meters long by 25 in / 64 cm or 50 in / 127 cm wide. Custom dimensions are available upon request.
Central Composite Pattern lamination refers to a laminate made from a finer weave cloth. It includes a denser pattern than the standard motif in which the warp and fill yarns of all plies are parallel in the same direction.
Modern manufacturing processes now permit the construction of this type of laminate. It has as many as 24 different plies and up to three layers of each plus over-plies, prepregs, and reinforcements. In addition, the modern manufacturing process, including vacuum infusion molding, pressure impregnation, etc., is sufficiently automated. As a result, they allow for virtually unlimited quantities of matrices, patterns, and reinforcements. This can result in an enormous variety of components and laminates.
CAF Resistant:
CAF-resistant materials are available for protection against the CAF biohazard.
CAF Resistant is a term applied to materials that resist the production of Crystalline Alpha-Fiber. It is a potentially hazardous substance to biological systems. Applications of CAF Resistant materials include automotive interior components and protective garments. It is also useful with contact lenses.
RoHS Compliant:
These materials are available for protection against the RoHS biohazard.
RoHS Compliant is a term applied to materials that resist the production of Rosin-Derived Phosphorus and Sulfur compounds. As a result, they are potentially hazardous to biological systems. Applications of RoHS Compliant materials include automotive interior components and protective garments.
Lead-Free Assembly Compatible:
These materials are available for protection against the Leaded biohazard.
Lead-Free Assembly Compatible is a term applied to materials that resist the production of lead and lead compounds which are potentially hazardous to biological systems. As a result, applications of Lead-free Assembly Compatible materials include automotive interior components and contact lenses.
Low CTE FR-4 Epoxy:
Low CTE FR-4 Epoxy materials are available for protection against the CTE biohazard.
CTE or “shot peening” is discoloration and cracking in metals after high-temperature heat.
Package Information:
Package dimensions are subject to change without notice. Therefore, actual package dimensions may vary from those listed below. It depends on the laminate pattern and thickness selected by the customer or designer.
SI (Signal Integrity) option:
N4000 Series SI is an option that offers the best properties to allow signal integrity.
Signal Integrity refers to the ability and speed with which an electrical signal, for example, a radio wave, travels through a material. For example, materials such as FR-4 epoxy laminate are helpful in high-frequency products. Examples include cellular phones and satellite receivers, where quick response times are critical.
Outstanding Z-axis, thermal stability, and hole wall integrity:
The N4000 Series has excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties.
The unique features of the N4000 Series are its outstanding Z-axis (pitch), thermal stability, and hole wall integrity. You can read more about our N4000 Series in these blog posts:
Z-axis: Z-axis is the longest cross-section dimension of a laminate. So, we can consider it a “depth” measurement between two parallel planes. As the thicknesses increase in the Z-axis, so does thermal resistance.
N4000 Series Vs. Other Fr4 Laminates
The N4000 Series FR-4 laminates are fully compatible with standard woven glass cloth prepregs. The most common FR-4 material uses a 3.2 mil (83 µm) glass cloth, epoxy resin, and B-stage hardener in a 1.5 mm thickness. The woven glass cloth prepreg typically has a nominal width of 2 in / 51 µm and an effective area of 0.3 sq ft / 32 sq cm.
The N4000 Series FR-4 laminates have a denser pattern than the standard motif. As a result, the plies are parallel rather than crosswise in the same direction as in most conventional laminates.
The weave pattern is three layers of 0.6 mm glass cloth on the outside and 1.2 mm on the inside, with a total fillet area of 0.7 sq ft / 65 sq cm. The prepregs have a nominal width of 3 in / 76 µm and an effective area of 0.35 sq ft / 32 sq cm.
N4000 Series FR-4 laminates are also compatible with traditional woven glass cloth prepregs and similar prepregs such as Spectra™ Glass and SCS Laminate.
N4000 Series FR-4 laminates are compatible with other prepregs, such as those made by Rayming PCB & Assembly. The prepreg is thin enough and has a finer pattern than those typically used in modern woven glass cloth prepregs.
The N4000 Series laminates are compatible with a wide variety of prepregs, including heavier, thicker fabrics, such as 2.5 mm (68 µm) or 3.0 mm (84 µm) different fabrics unidirectional prepregs.
Conclusion
We do not believe that the best epoxy is 2.5 times stronger than another, but rather the strongest one. Nelco is a world leader in epoxy materials, and we are proud to offer you this product as part of our broad line of N4000 Series epoxy laminates. It meets or exceeds all ASTM standards, and its exceptional performance will provide long-lasting results for your application.
