In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of electronics, PCB materials play a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and functionality. Among the wide array of materials available, Isola 185HR PCB Materials shine as a beacon of excellence and innovation. With their remarkable features and superior properties, Isola 185HR PCB Materials empower engineers and manufacturers to unleash the true potential of high-performance printed circuit boards.
The selection of the right PCB material is of utmost importance when it comes to various applications. In this article, we will delve into one of the exceptional materials offered by Isola: the Isola 185HR PCB Material.
For those seeking comprehensive knowledge and insights into the Isola 185HR PCB Material, we invite you to continue reading. This discussion will encompass its definition, notable features, properties, extensive application areas, and more. Let us embark on this journey to gain a deeper understanding of the Isola 185HR PCB Material.
Isola 185HR
The 185HR laminate and prepreg materials represent a proprietary and advanced resin system designed specifically for demanding multilayer Printed Wiring Board (PWB) applications that prioritize exceptional thermal performance and reliability.
These high-performance materials rely on Isola’s patented technology and are reinforced with electrical grade (E-glass) glass fabric. As a result, they exhibit remarkable properties such as a decomposition temperature of 340°C, reduced expansion along the Z-axis, and improved impedance loss characteristics when compared to competing products within this industry segment.
Moreover, the 185HR system possesses unique features that enhance its compatibility with various automated processes used in PCB manufacturing. For example, it possesses laser fluorescence properties that facilitate optimal performance with Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) systems and optical positioning systems. Additionally, its UV blocking capabilities make it highly suitable for photoimageable solder mask imaging processes.
Product Availability
Standard Material Offering: Laminate
●2 to 93 mil (0.05 to 2.4 mm)
Copper Foil Type
●HTE Grade 3
●RTF (Reverse Treat Foil)
Copper Weight
●½, 1 and 2 oz (18, 35 and 70 µm) available
●Heavier copper foil available
●Thinner copper foil available
Standard Material Offering: Prepreg
●Roll or panel form
●Tooling of prepreg panels
Glass Fabric Availability
●E-glass
●Square weave glass
Features of the Isola 185HR PCB Material
Key Features of Isola 185HR PCB Material:
CAF Resistance:
Isola 185HR PCB Material exhibits excellent resistance to Conductive Anodic Filament (CAF) formation. CAF is a phenomenon where conducting salts containing copper can form within printed circuit boards, leading to potential failure. By incorporating this material, the risk of CAF-induced failures is mitigated.
Lead-Free Assembly Compatibility:
Isola 185HR PCB Material is fully compatible with lead-free assembly processes. It allows for the manufacturing of PCBs without the use of hazardous materials, specifically without incorporating lead at any stage of the assembly process.
UV Blocking:
The Isola 185HR PCB Material offers outstanding UV blocking capabilities, providing protection against harmful ultraviolet radiation. This material efficiently absorbs UV rays, safeguarding the PCBs and their components from potential damage.
ADI Fluorescence:
Isola 185HR PCB Material features ADI fluorescence, a quality highly valued by PCB engineers. This property enhances the material’s visibility under specific lighting conditions, facilitating accurate examination and inspection during manufacturing and quality control processes.
RoHS Compliance:
Isola 185HR PCB Material adheres to RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) regulations. Through independent testing conducted by authorized bodies, it has been verified to have minimal levels of banned substances, ensuring compliance with the RoHS threshold requirements.
High Thermal Reliability:
The Isola 185HR PCB Material exhibits excellent thermal reliability throughout the PCB assembly process, mitigating the risks of defects like delamination and blisters. This reliability extends to the operational environment, ensuring consistent performance and longevity of the end product. The material remains stable under varying thermal conditions, highlighting its overall reliability in demanding applications.
In summary, Isola 185HR PCB Material offers a range of valuable features, including CAF resistance, compatibility with lead-free assembly, UV blocking capabilities, ADI fluorescence, RoHS compliance, and exceptional thermal reliability. These attributes make it an ideal choice for PCB engineers seeking reliable, high-performance materials for a wide range of applications.
What is the Thermal Performance of the Isola 185HR PCB Material?
The Isola 185HR PCB Material exhibits excellent thermal performance, making it well-suited for applications that demand superior heat management. With a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 180°C, this material can withstand high operating temperatures without experiencing significant degradation or loss of mechanical properties.
The material’s high Tg value ensures it remains stable and maintains its structural integrity under elevated temperatures, minimizing the risk of warping, delamination, or other thermal-related issues. This characteristic is crucial for reliable operation in demanding environments where temperature fluctuations are prominent or where heat dissipation is critical.
Additionally, the Isola 185HR PCB Material features a lower Z-axis expansion, meaning it exhibits minimal dimensional changes along the thickness of the material when exposed to heat. This property ensures stable registration and maintains the integrity of plated through holes (PTHs) during thermal cycling.
Overall, the Isola 185HR PCB Material’s high Tg and low Z-axis expansion contribute to its exceptional thermal performance, allowing it to effectively manage heat and provide reliable operation in applications that demand maximum thermal resistance and performance.
What is the Electrical Performance of the Isola 185HR PCB Material?
The Isola 185HR PCB Material demonstrates excellent electrical performance, making it a highly reliable choice for demanding electronic applications. Some key aspects of its electrical performance include:
Low Loss:
The Isola 185HR PCB Material offers low electrical loss, meaning it exhibits minimal signal attenuation or power dissipation as electrical signals traverse the material. This characteristic is crucial for high-speed and high-frequency applications where signal integrity is paramount.
Impedance Control:
The material’s consistent dielectric properties enable precise impedance control, ensuring the integrity and stability of impedance-matched transmission lines on the PCB. This is particularly important for applications that require reliable signal transmission and communication, such as high-speed digital circuits or RF/microwave designs.
High Breakdown Strength:
Isola 185HR PCB Material possesses a high breakdown strength, indicating its ability to withstand electrical stresses without suffering from insulation failure or breakdown. This quality ensures safe and reliable operation, especially in applications exposed to high voltages or electrical transients.
Excellent Signal Integrity:
The material’s low loss and controlled impedance characteristics contribute to maintaining excellent signal integrity. It reduces signal distortion, crosstalk, and other undesirable effects that can degrade the performance of the electrical circuits.
Thermal Reliability:
The Isola 185HR PCB Material’s high Tg (glass transition temperature) and low Z-axis expansion, as mentioned earlier, not only contribute to its thermal performance but also play a role in maintaining electrical reliability. It helps prevent open circuits, short circuits, or signal degradation caused by thermal stress during operation.
How to Use Isola 185HR PCB Materials Fabrication PCB Boards?
To use Isola 185HR PCB materials for fabricating PCB boards, the following general steps can be followed:
Design the PCB layout: Use PCB design software to create the desired circuit layout, including components, traces, and other design elements.
Choose Isola 185HR PCB material: Select the specific Isola 185HR material that meets the requirements of your PCB design. This material is known for its high-performance properties, such as high reliability, thermal performance, and electrical insulation.
Prepare the substrate: Start with a clean, flat substrate made from Isola 185HR PCB material. Ensure the substrate is free from any contaminants that could impact the quality of the PCB.
Apply the copper layers: Use a lamination process to apply copper layers to the substrate. The number of layers will depend on the complexity of the PCB design.
Print and etch layers: Print the PCB design onto each copper layer as a circuit pattern using a photolithographic process. Then, use an etching process to remove the unwanted copper, leaving behind the desired traces and patterns.
Drill vias and through-holes: Use a drilling machine to create vias and through-holes in the PCB. These holes provide electrical connections between different layers.
Plate the holes: Add a thin layer of conductive material, such as copper, to the drilled holes through a process called plating. This ensures electrical continuity between different layers.
Apply solder mask and silkscreen: Apply a solder mask over the PCB surface to protect the copper traces and prevent short circuits during soldering. Also, add a silkscreen layer for component labels and other markings.
Solder components: Place and solder the electronic components onto the PCB according to the design. Use appropriate soldering techniques (e.g., hand soldering or reflow soldering) based on the component types and assembly requirements.
Test and inspect: Perform thorough testing and inspection of the fabricated PCB to ensure its functionality, connectivity, and compliance with design specifications.
It’s important to note that the specific fabrication process may vary depending on the manufacturing equipment, expertise, and specific requirements of your PCB project. Consulting manufacturer guidelines, industry standards, and experienced PCB fabricators can provide further guidance and assistance in utilizing Isola 185HR PCB materials effectively.
Key Factor When Use Isola 185HR in PCB Design?
When using Isola 185HR in PCB design, some key factors to consider include:
Material properties: Isola 185HR is known for its high reliability, thermal performance, and electrical insulation properties. Consider how these properties align with the requirements of your PCB design, such as operating temperature range, signal integrity, and reliability in harsh environments.
Layer stackup design: Determine the number and arrangement of copper layers needed for your PCB design. Consider factors such as signal integrity, power distribution, and impedance control. Isola 185HR is often used in multilayer designs due to its high thermal conductivity and stability.
Thermal management: Isola 185HR exhibits good thermal conductivity, allowing it to effectively dissipate heat generated by components. Consider the thermal requirements of your design and ensure that proper thermal vias and copper planes are incorporated to manage heat effectively.
PCB layout considerations: Pay attention to trace routing, spacing, and signal integrity to optimize performance. Ensure that rules for minimum trace width, spacing, and impedance control are followed. Isola 185HR’s electrical properties should be considered when designing transmission lines or high-speed interconnects.
Certification and compliance: Verify if Isola 185HR has the necessary certifications and compliance with industry standards, such as IPC-4101 or UL. Compliance ensures that your PCB design meets quality and safety requirements.
Manufacturer guidelines: Consult Isola’s documentation and guidelines specific to Isola 185HR to understand recommended fabrication processes, material handling, and other recommendations to ensure the best performance of the material in your PCB design.
Environmental considerations: If your PCB design requires compliance with specific environmental regulations, ensure that Isola 185HR meets the necessary requirements, such as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) or REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals).
Remember, while Isola 185HR offers excellent properties, it’s crucial to consider the complete design requirements, performance objectives, and specific guidelines provided by the material manufacturer to optimize the use of Isola 185HR in your PCB design.
Applications of Isola 185HR PCB Materials
Isola 185HR PCB materials are commonly used in various applications that require high-performance and reliability. Some notable applications include:
Power Electronics: Power converters, inverters, and power management systems, which require efficient thermal dissipation and excellent electrical insulation, often employ Isola 185HR to handle high-power applications.
Telecommunications: Isola 185HR is well-suited for telecommunications equipment, such as base stations, routers, and network switches, where high-speed signal transmission, thermal management, and long-term reliability are crucial.
Consumer Electronics: Isola 185HR is utilized in consumer electronics like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles that have demanding performance requirements, high-speed data transmission, and thermal management needs.
Aerospace and Defense: The aerospace and defense industry often relies on Isola 185HR for mission-critical applications, including avionics systems, radar equipment, satellites, and military-grade electronics. Its high thermal conductivity and stability make it suitable for harsh environments.
Medical Devices: In the medical field, Isola 185HR is used for various applications, including medical imaging equipment, patient monitoring devices, diagnostic devices, and laboratory instruments. Its reliability and electrical insulation properties are essential for ensuring accurate and long-term operation.
Automotive Electronics: Isola 185HR is used in automotive electronics, such as engine control units (ECUs), infotainment systems, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and powertrain modules, due to its high reliability and thermal performance.
Industrial Equipment: Isola 185HR finds application in industrial equipment and machinery, including control systems, motor drives, power converters, and robotics, where high performance, temperature resistance, and durability are required.
These applications emphasize the material’s ability to withstand high temperatures, provide reliable electrical insulation, and efficiently manage thermal dissipation. However, it’s important to note that specific application requirements may vary, and it’s advisable to consult with Isola or industry experts to ensure that Isola 185HR precisely meets the needs of your particular application.
Conclusion
In the realm of PCB materials, Isola 185HR PCB Materials stand as a testament to innovation, reliability, and high-performance capabilities. With their exceptional thermal performance, resistance to CAF formation, compatibility with lead-free assembly, UV-blocking capabilities, and ADI fluorescence, Isola 185HR PCB Materials redefine what is possible in the world of high-performance printed circuit boards.
By choosing Isola 185HR PCB Materials, engineers and manufacturers unlock a world of possibilities where optimal performance, reliability, and environmental consciousness converge. With Isola 185HR PCB Materials, the journey towards creating cutting-edge electronic devices is elevated to new heights, setting new standards for excellence in the industry.
