A Heavy Copper PCB is a high-end, durable circuit board that offers several advantages. Its thermal endurance is very high and it is also easy to fabricate. However, if you’re planning to use this type of PCB in your projects, you should know that it’s not an inexpensive option.
Thick copper circuit boards
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Thick copper circuit boards are used to improve the thermal dissipation of electronic circuits. They are especially beneficial in high power applications and for cooling components with high thermal conductivity. Copper traces that run end-to-end on thick PCBs have higher effective thermal conductivity than those that run discontinuously.
The thick copper circuit boards are made using the same techniques used for light copper circuit boards, but require more specialized etching and plating processes. Traditional methods of producing heavy copper circuit boards required etching thick copper clad laminated board material, which caused uneven sidewalls and unacceptable undercutting. However, modern methods use a combination of etching and plating techniques to produce circuit boards with uniform sidewalls and negligible undercutting.
High thermal endurance
A heavy copper PCB is ideal for high-end devices that require a lot of current and temperature. This material is also known for its recurrent thermal cycling properties, which are important in many industrial applications. This material is also very durable, with a low chance of warping or breaking. The copper base is more stable than other materials, and is tolerant of manufacturing processes and environments. Heavy copper PCBs are also ideally suited for devices that require a high degree of precision. They can pass high current and heat without affecting other parts of the device.
Using heavy copper for PCBs allows the use of exotic materials without compromising the performance of the circuitry. The high thermal conductivity of copper enables it to support higher temperatures and currents, preventing the board from rupturing during extreme conditions.
Low cost
There are many applications for heavy copper PCBs. They are manufactured through various plating procedures and copper etching. Copper is plated on PTHs, traces, pads, planes, and other areas of the board. This provides a stronger thermal dissipation capability and can increase the mechanical strength of the board.
Heavy copper PCBs are used in various applications due to their high power transmission and current capacity. These PCBs also have excellent heat dissipating properties, which makes them an excellent choice for high-heat and current-heat-stress applications. This is especially important in applications that have high current-load percentages. Using a standard PCB in such high-load applications is not feasible due to the inherent design limitations of normal PCBs.
Easy to fabricate
Heavy copper PCBs are a great way to boost the performance of basic as well as advanced electronic devices. However, the process of manufacturing one is not easy. The copper layers need to be reduced and the etching process is costly. In addition, choosing the right manufacturer is crucial; a poor choice can result in the failure of your project. Look for a manufacturer with international certificates and experience.
The copper on the heavy copper PCB has a high current capacity and power transmission. This allows designers to incorporate high and low power electronics on the same PCB, resulting in a compact end product. Moreover, heavy copper PCBs are resistant to high temperature.
