Introduction to Heavy Copper PCB

When we talk about PCBs, we can always see them on the electronic devices around us. Yes, PCB has been widely used in our lives, from telecommunications, medical, automotive, national defense, aerospace, aerospace, military to renewable energy, transportation, industrial departments and many other leading industries. In the development of electronic equipment, customers always expect better efficiency and performance technology. This requires the PCB industry to continuously innovate and develop and design more powerful PCB boards. In terms of heat dissipation, fast, high frequency, or other key design requirements, heavy copper in PCB manufacturing has a high performance output.

1、What is heavy copper PCB?

Heavy copper PCB is a circuit board, and the thickness of the outer and inner layers is ≥3oz Per SQ. FT. The reason why the circuit board is classified as a heavy copper PCB is its thicker coating. In the production process of thick copper PCB, the copper thickness is increased by electroplating holes and side walls.

Generally, the thickness of the standard PCB is about 1-1.4 ounces/square foot, which is enough to effectively provide current from the circuit to the standard application (non-heavy load). However, in the thickness of the copper PCB, the copper percentage is 3 ounces or more per square foot. This is called extreme copper; the extra copper thickness allows the circuit board to transmit more current. Heavy copper PCB has a strong mechanical force in the position of plating holes and connectors. This type of PCB is also called thick copper PCB.

2、Advantages of heavy copper PCB

Heavy copper PCB is applied to a variety of high current electronic devices, mainly because of its good conductivity. In addition to conductive performance, heavy copper PCBs also have many advantages. Let’s learn more together.

The most suitable compact electronic solution, because it can remove or distribute the minimum space for cooling fans or radiators, thus occupying less space.

♥ High load traffic.

♥ High temperature resistance.

♥ The use of heavy copper substrates has a high durability.

♥ It is easy to transfer heat to the external radiator.

♥ High quality, can withstand repeated thermal circulation, can destroy the normal PCB within seconds.

♥ Very suitable for resistance in harsh environments.

♥ It has a high tolerance for heat stress.

♥ The fine combination of electroplating technology and copper etching technology is used to obtain the bottom cut and straight wall of the trench.

♥ It has proven to be rough and tough, with low power distribution impedance.

♥ The heavy copper on the circuit board can also be connected to the standard circuit.

♥ With the implementation of heavy copper plating technology, large current circuits are generated, which helps to observe simple and dense plate structures.

♥ By using heavy copper PCB layout or extreme copper PCB to achieve high reliability electronic properties.

♥ The concept of heavy copper is now successful, and it can even be mixed with standard properties on a single circuit board (i.e., Powerlink).

♥ In PCB manufacturing, the use of heavy copper can achieve a smaller footprint and reduce the number of layers on the circuit board.

♥ Increase the mechanical strength of the plating hole and position of the connector.

♥ Under high temperature conditions, special materials can be used in a heavy copper PCB layout without circuit failure.

3、How is heavy copper PCB made?

For the manufacture of thick copper PCBs, electroplating or etching is usually used. The main purpose is to increase the copper thickness of the side walls and electroplated holes. The methods used to make heavy copper PCBs are not far-fetched. Thick copper PCBs require special etching and plating methods to ensure extra copper thickness.

It is not ideal to manufacture heavy copper PCBs using ordinary etching technology. The ordinary etching method produces uneven over etching edges and edges. PCB manufacturers now use advanced etching and plating methods to achieve straight edges.

During the PCB manufacturing process, heavy copper PCBs were plated. This will help to thicken the PTH wall on PCB. Using this technology, the number of layers is reduced and the impedance distribution is reduced. When the PCB undergoes multiple cycles during the manufacturing process, the plating pores may weaken.

How to Make Heavy PCBs

Copper burning method: This method uses graphic fabrication of heavy copper PCBs. Here heavy copper is inserted into the pre-immersed resin. The thickness of the resin determines the thickness of copper.

For example, the manufacturer starts with 6 dense earrings and 1 0Z copper layer. Then cover the copper layer with light glue. After that, use the laser beam of 5 dense ears to cut the circuit pattern from the side of the layer. The laser must be cut into copper foil by laminate plates. If the laser is controlled, the manufacturer can prevent copper foil from being damaged.

The manufacturer places the laminate plate in the plating groove for electroplating. After filling the laser cutting slot on the laminate plate, the coating thickness of about 6 mIL is produced by copper.

Blue strip method: The blue strip method involves inserting thick copper strips into the circuit board. This method saves materials and reduces PCB weight. During the manufacturing process, the resin flows into the space in the copper wire, which helps to obtain a flat top surface.

When a multilayer board has a thick copper layer, the manufacturer must pay attention to the level of copper filling between the inner layers. Low filling and low resin content will lead to hunger resin.

4、Application of thick copper PCB

Thick copper PCBs have many more benefits than standard PCBs. In addition, they also provide excellent features that make them ideal for specific applications.

For example, thick copper PCB is an ideal choice for national defense and military applications, medical equipment and many other fields. Therefore, the demand for thick copper PCBs has continued to increase.

Here are some applications of thick copper PCBs:

Solar converter

Rail traction system

Nuclear power industry

auto industry

UPS system

Protective relay

Torque control

Security and signal system

Welding equipment

Electric Circuit Electric

Military equipment

5、Summarize

The thick copper PCB circuit plays an irreplaceable role in the application of PCB batch production applications. It has high power, high current and high cooling requirements. Heavy copper PCB manufacturing processes and materials have higher requirements than standard PCBs. Leadsintec has advanced equipment and professional engineers to provide high quality thick copper PCB for domestic and foreign customers.