Being in the electronic industry, you might be concerned with this new hype of ceramic PCB performing better than traditional PCB. If you're wondering what a ceramic PCB really is, what its applications are, and how it is manufactured, this blog is just for you.

In this blog, we will explain in detail the ceramic PCBs and see what makes them different from the traditional PCBs and which one you need for your circuit needs.

The traditional PCBs perform very poorly in heat dissipation due to the substrate they use, mainly fiberglass and epoxy. They trap heat inside the circuits, which causes them to malfunction when the temperature rises, which makes them a poor option for high-performing electrical components.

The electronic industry needed a better PCB to dissipate heat away better than traditional PCBs. This market gap was filled by ceramic PCBs, which have extraordinary heat dissipation properties with low CTE and dielectric constant.

Let's have a quick walkthrough with the introduction of Ceramic PCB and see when you need a ceramic PCB.

An Introduction to Ceramic PCB

In the modern electronic industry, a PCB is expected to dissipate heat better and provide strong mechanical support for the electrical components attached to it. While ceramic PCB, as the name suggests, is basically made up of ceramic cores. It commonly uses Alumina, Beryllium Oxide, and Magnesium Aluminate as substrate materials. Other ceramic cores are also used to manufacture ceramic PCBs, including silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, boron nitride, and many others. Selecting the proper ceramic core depends on the circuit's requirements because every ceramic PCB substrate has its own unique properties that are rightly used to get the desired output.

Some properties of ceramic cores are as follows:

1.   Good thermal conductivity.

2.   Less corrosion.

3.   Enhanced mechanical strength.

4.   Thick - thin film technology.

5.   Vast miniaturization techniques.

6.   High-density ceramic circuit board tracing.

7.   Multi-layer integration.

Ceramic PCB vs. Traditional PCB

The question of when to employ a ceramic PCB now emerges. Indeed, ceramic PCBs are superior to conventional PCBs in every way. But cost and quality factors are always central to the decision on PCB type. Traditional PCBs would be the ideal alternative if you're looking for less expensive solutions. On the other hand, ceramic PCBs are the finest option if you work in delicate industries where hazards are nonexistent because they offer dependability and durability throughout time.

Or you can compare both these PCB types and see what sets them apart from each other.

As it is evident from the table above, ceramic PCBs are far superior to traditional PCBs. The ceramic PCB substrate material is made up of ceramic cores. These cores are more efficient at higher temperatures and also at higher frequencies. With no free electrons, they have very little chance of interfering with signals.

Furthermore, epoxy resin and fiberglass materials absorb moisture with time. We have also observed higher moisture absorption and physical delamination in the traditional PCBs. Ceramic PCBs, on the other hand, are less likely to absorb moisture, making them more stable in an environment where humidity is higher than normal.

Traditional PCBs are less expensive. But, with poor heat dissipation properties, they are not a viable option when it comes to miniaturization. In contrast, ceramic PCBs are superior to traditional ones in this regard because of their high-density designs. So, ceramic PCBs can be used in circuits that are very small in size.

Advantages of Ceramic PCB

Superior Heat Conductivity

The most well-known and noteworthy benefit of ceramic PCB is its superior heat conductivity. For high-power density applications, such as RF components, power electronics, and LED modules, where heat must be drained to ensure smooth electrical performance and prevent any thermal runaway, ceramic PCBs are strongly advised and favored. Moreover, with ceramic PCB, it is possible to integrate High-Density Interconnects (HDIs) when it comes to miniature circuitry. Since you don’t need any heat sinks, it becomes easier to work with small-sized circuit boards. Contrarily, with traditional PCBs, you need a proper heat sink setup for better heat dissipation which occupies more space.

Low CTE

The second benefit of ceramic printed circuit boards is their low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). This CTE of ceramic value is comparable to the CTE of semiconductors. Furthermore, Strong interatomic connections enable it to function well at high temperatures without compromising efficiency.

Limited Dielectric Leakage

The dielectric leakage in ceramic PCB is limited, usually less than 0.001, even at high frequencies. This quality allows them to be used in high-frequency devices, including 5G infrastructure and microwave circuits.

Thermal Shock Resistance

Ceramic PCBs perform better under extreme temperatures and regulate heat well. Especially in the aerospace avionics industry, ceramic PCBs perform better with their ability to support chip-on-board (COB) technology for direct die attachment.

Types of Ceramic PCB

In this section, we'll discuss four major types of ceramic PCBs. These types are not limited to only four, but to get an idea about multiple ceramic PCB substrate types, here are some of the popular and highly used ceramic cores for PCB.

Alumina (Al₂O₃) Ceramic PCBs:

Alumina is one of the most commonly used ceramic PCB substrates because of its low cost. It has a thermal conductivity of 20-30 W/mK, up to 65 times higher than traditional PCBs made with FR-4. Here's a summary of Alumina Ceramic PCB.

Aluminum Nitride (AIN) Ceramic PCBs:

Aluminum Nitride Ceramic PCB has a relatively high manufacturing cost compared to Alumina, but it has an exceptional thermal conductivity between 140-180 W/mK, which makes it a perfect choice for high-power and high-frequency circuits. Here are some more details about Aluminum Nitride ceramic PCBs.

Beryllium Oxide (BeO) Ceramic PCBs:

Beryllium Oxide Ceramic PCBs have the highest value of thermal conductivity, ranging from 250 to 300 W/mK, which makes them a perfect choice to use in circuits that require high performance at high temperatures. Here's a brief overview of it.

Magnesium Aluminate (MgAl₂O₄) Ceramic PCBs

Compared to BeO and AIN, Magnesium Aluminate, which has very low thermal conductivity, is a more affordable option.

Ceramic PCB Manufacturing Process

It is essential for the manufacturing of ceramic PCBs to follow a series of precise steps. All these steps must ensure that the manufactured ceramic circuit board fully meets its intended purpose.

The first step in manufacturing a ceramic PCB is to analyze the needs, required strength, rigidity, and properties associated with its conductivity.

Secondly, we need to choose a suitable ceramic PCB substrate as a base. Just like any other product, different materials suit different needs. Alumina is a popular choice for budget-conscious projects. Aluminum Nitride and Beryllium Oxide come in handy when a project demands high thermal conductivity to be on the front line.

Once we have the perfect base for our ceramic PCB, it's time for the laser etching to make prints on the circuit. These etchings create a path for the electricity to flow. Then, depending on the circuit's complexity, we use thick or thin film deposition to create the required conductive traces.

Now comes the most crucial step - firing the board at scorching temperatures. This intense heat fuses everything together, making it one cohesive unit.

But this isn't done yet. The journey of ceramic PCB continues by drilling holes to make mounts for other components to connect - just like building a miniature city. Then, the ceramic PCBs are protected with an anti-corrosion coating.

Finally, the quality assurance team carefully observes and analyzes the entire process of manufacturing ceramic PCBs. With every step involving great attention to detail, we can't take risks with any move since one wrong move will ruin the entire electrical system.

This is exactly why we always recommend that our clients look for a trusted ceramic PCB manufacturer like PCBasic. For more information or to get a quote, visit www.pcbasic.com.

Applications of Ceramic Boards

Power Electronics

Most abundantly, ceramic PCBs are used in inverters and motor drives. The primary reason is their better heat dissipation properties.

RF and Microwave Circuits

Ceramic PCBs are also quite commonly used in RF and microwave systems since they don't easily interfere with high-end frequencies. Thanks to their low dielectric constant. Moreover, you may observe ceramic PCBs in satellite systems, which are usually coupled with BeO and AIN substrates.

LED and Optoelectronics

When high-power LEDs are used for a long time, the circuit gets really hot, and this heat has to be drawn away. This is why we see the use of ceramic PCBs in such appliances. Similarly, ceramic PCBs are also used in photodiodes and laser diodes to reduce thermal stress.

Automotive Electronics

In the automotive industry, every new car is being made in the competition with better specifications and performance figures. To make a car's electrical system more reliable and heat-resistant, engineers use ceramic PCBs for better heat dissipation to increase the overall performance of vehicles.

Aerospace and Defense

At high temperatures, ceramic PCBs help reduce the thermal strain better than any other traditional PCB type.

Conclusion

Ceramic PCBs are the real deal for anyone looking for long-term investment in circuitry. The applications and properties of a ceramic PCB are beyond the traditional PCB.

If you are looking for a ceramic PCB partner, PCBasic has your back! They can build you some top-notch ceramic PCBs to let your projects go fast and well. To learn more about it, visit www.pcbasic.com and see what they can do for you!