2oz copper PCB introduction and application guide

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are a key component of electronic devices, both providing physical support for electronic components and enabling electrical connections. Among the many technical parameters of a PCB, the thickness or weight of the copper foil is particularly critical and is often expressed in ounces per square foot (oz/ft²). While 1oz copper foil is a common standard in traditional applications, 2oz copper PCBs are becoming increasingly popular as the performance needs of electronic devices increase.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at what the actual thickness of 2oz copper foil means in a PCB, explain why it’s growing in popularity in today’s electronic designs, plus we’ll sort through the key benefits that 2oz copper brings to the table, the applications for 2oz copper pcb’s, and introduce some design guidelines to help maximize its performance.

What is 2oz copper thick pcb

A 2oz copper thick PCB is a printed circuit board (PCB) with a copper foil thickness of 2 ounces (OZ). Below is a detailed description of 2 ounce copper thick PCBs:
In the PCB industry, copper foil thickness is measured using ounces (OZ) as a unit, with 1 oz copper thickness indicating the thickness achieved by evenly distributing 1 oz (approximately 28.35 grams) weight of copper foil over a 1 square foot area.
A 1oz copper thickness equals approximately 35 microns (1.4 mils), so a 2oz copper thickness is approximately 70 microns (2.8 mils).

Basic Properties of 2oz Copper PCBs

High Conductivity: The increased thickness of the copper foil increases the ability of the line to carry a significant amount of current (formula: I ∝ h, h is the copper thickness) and reduces resistance losses.
Excellent heat dissipation: thick copper layer can quickly export heat, preventing components from overheating, extending the life of the equipment.
High mechanical strength: strong resistance to bending, pulling and impact, adapting to complex industrial environments.
Classification difference: the production process is different between regular thick copper boards (≤3OZ) and ultra-thick copper boards (3-12OZ), with the latter requiring high-precision copper foil selection, special press-fit technology and enhanced etching process.

Why choose 2oz copper PCB?

High Current Carrying Capacity
Equation derivation: Line loadable current I is directly proportional to copper thickness h (I ∝ h), and heat generation Q is inversely proportional to copper thickness h (Q ∝ 1/h).
Practical application: In high power scenarios such as power modules and motor drives, 2oz copper PCBs can reduce resistance loss and improve system efficiency.

Thermal Management Optimization
The thick copper layer acts as a “cooling channel” to quickly transfer heat to the heat sink or enclosure to avoid localized overheating.
Case in point: automotive engine control systems are exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time, and 2oz copper PCBs ensure circuit stability.

Mechanical Reliability
Shock resistance is improved by more than 30%, suitable for industrial equipment or automotive electronics with frequent vibration.

2oz copper PCB

Core Application Areas

Automotive Electronics
Control modules, engine control systems, airbags and other critical components need to withstand high temperatures, corrosion and mechanical stress.

Power & Energy
Power modules, DC-DC converters, solar inverters, etc., need to handle high power conversion and distribution.

Industrial Automation
High-power motor drives and automation equipment control require circuit boards with high conductivity and durability.

Emerging Fields
High-end products such as 5G base stations, AI servers, etc., have stringent requirements for PCB layers, precision and heat dissipation performance.

Design Recommendations for 2oz Copper PCBs

In order to fully utilize the advantages of 2oz copper foil thickness in circuit board design, design engineers should consider the following layout and wiring guidelines:

Reasonable use of space: 2oz copper supports finer line widths and spacing, allowing for a more compact device layout. Components can be appropriately dispersed during design to fully utilize the extra space.

Shorten wiring paths: Because 2oz copper has lower resistivity, there is less reliance on wider alignments, and shorter, more direct connections can be prioritized.

Optimize layer structure: Lower current densities allow for fewer board layers when the layout permits. However, sufficient power and ground layers need to be maintained to ensure stability.

Reduced via size: Thanks to the high resolution capability of 2oz copper, smaller via designs can be used while maintaining good wiring density.

Increased component integration: Thinner copper wires make it easier to connect small package components, thereby increasing overall component density.

Controlling High Frequency Impedance: For high frequency applications, ensure that thin copper traces are routed as short as possible to avoid signal integrity issues caused by long or narrow traces.

Reduce thermal structure: If conditions permit, remove some heat sinks to reduce overall thermal resistance.

Increase copper-filled areas: Enhance heat dissipation efficiency and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effect through reasonable copper surfacing, while maintaining a safe distance from signal lines.

Avoid excessive fragmentation of planar layers: Minimize fragmentation of the power and ground layers and improve continuity through multi-point over-hole connections.

Focus on edge spacing: Under high-precision etching processes, special attention needs to be paid to the alignment gap at the edge of the board to avoid processing defects.

Optimize design rules: Tighten the design grid and DRC (Design Rule Check) parameters to accommodate the manufacturing capacity of 2oz copper boards.

Pay attention to pad-via-hole matching: In high-density wiring, ensure that the design of pads and vias meets reliability requirements to avoid soldering problems.

Through rational layout and standardized wiring strategies, 2oz copper PCBs can not only effectively reduce board size, but also significantly improve electrical performance and help control manufacturing and assembly costs!

Summary

With its high conductivity, thermal performance and mechanical strength, 2oz copper PCBs have become the first choice for high-power, high-reliability electronic devices. With the rapid development of automotive electronics, new energy and AI fields, its market demand will continue to grow. The design and manufacturing process needs to focus on line compensation, process optimization and thermal design to ensure product performance and yield. In the future, intelligent production and the application of environmentally friendly materials will further promote the technological innovation and industrial upgrading of thick copper PCB.