What Is Substrate in A PCB

RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY
What is Substrate in a PCB?

Every building needs a “foundation” or a “platform” upon which the
structure will stand. The absence of such makes it impossible for such a
building to stand “the test of time,” as it is susceptible to collapsing after
some time. The same applies to the production of Printed Circuit Boards
(PCBs). There is a need to have a substrate in the PCB and that is what we
will discuss in this article.
Table of Contents
Why a Substrate is the “Foundation” of a PCB
A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is merely a “flat or bare board,” which
wouldn’t stand on its own and perform excellently, except if it has some
properties. This is why the board is “equipped” with a non-conductive
substrate material that has both conductive pathways and electronic
components attached to it.
The substrate is aptly described as the “foundation” or “base material” of
the circuit board, because it is both a non-conductive material and a
dielectric composite structure made from epoxy resin and either paper or
glass fabric.
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As such, the substrate provides the foundation or platform that “holds”
the electronic components and traces in place. Therefore, you can
leverage the substrate used in PCB to securely hold the foundational parts
and electronic components on the circuit board.
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The Types of PCB Substrates
Fr4 Laminate
You will find different kinds of base materials used in the production of
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). Of course, the properties and or
functionalities of these materials differ.
Here is a list of some of the popular/common PCB substrate materials:

1. FR-4
This is not just the most popular PCB substrate material, but also the one
that offers the best performance.
The Flame-Retardant 4 (FR-4) circuit board substrate is commonly made
out of a woven glass reinforced by epoxy resin. It is also said to be
fire-resistant, because of the properties of the epoxy resin used:
 The epoxy resin is always Flame-Retardant Level 4.
 The epoxy resin doesn’t absorb moisture and;
 It is water-resistant.
a. Features of FR-4 PCB Substrates
Besides offering the best performance and being used in a vast majority of
circuit boards, the FR-4 substrate has these characteristics:
 High electrical insulation, hence, the fireproof.
 Lightweight design
 Higher moisture resistance
 Lower cost
 Excellent performance
 Higher electric strength
b. Applications

The use cases of the FR-4 substrate are often prioritized for the
low-speed digital circuits. You can also use this substrate with the circuit
boards that have a complex structure, as well as the PCBs requiring
several layers.
It is true that this substrate can be used for a wide range of circuit boards
and consumer electronics, it does have a higher dielectric loss. This is the
reason why FR-4 substrates are not always ideal for either
the high-frequency or high-speed applications.
c. Different Variants
You will find different variations and or versions of the FR-4 PCB
substrates. Of course, they differ in terms of the properties and
performances.
These are some of the variants:
 Halogen-Free FR-4: this variant contains less halogens and these are
one of the fireproof elements.
 Standard FR-4 Substrate: this type of substrate is considered to be
the “standard” or the format for others, because of the economic
undertone. It also has a higher heat resistance, of up to 150-degree
Celsius.

 High Tg FR-4 Substrate: this type of PCB substrate is prioritized for
the higher temperatures. It is noted for the higher value of Glass
Transition Temperature (Tg) – an attribute that supports the
substrate’s clocking of higher temperatures, of up to 1180˚C.
2. Teflon
Teflon is a brand name for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which has a
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) of 160. It is a type of plastic that doesn’t
offer resistance, which is why it is always used with high-frequency and
high-speed signals.
PTFE is highly-recommended for the high-frequency, microwave and
high-power PCBs.
Properties
The features include:
 Excellent high-frequency properties that make it ideal for electronic
devices that handle higher signals, ranging from a few hundred
MHZs to tens of GHZs.
 The flame-resistance, flexible and lightweight design makes it ideal
for different kinds applications.

 The low dissipation and excellent temperature stability makes it
usable in aerospace telemetry, cruise control, antennas
and power amplifiers.
3. FR-2
This is the Flame-Retardant Level 2 (FR-2) substrate. Although it has
fireproof properties, it offers a lower performance, when compared to the
FR-4 substrate.
It is made of a phenolic material and is commonly used in economical and
low-cost consumer electronics, an example being
low-cost transistor radios.
4. Flexible Substrates
These substrates are not only flexible, but also offering the best
performances, without compromising the circuit board’s electrical
continuity.
The major attributes are wrapping, bendability and folding – making it
easier to optimize the boards for different applications. Circuit board
designers also leverage this to fit the substrate into the tiniest of spaces in
the PCB.
5. CEM-1

This is the type of substrate used in producing the single-sided circuit
boards. The CEM-1 substrate has a Dielectric Constant (Dk) of up to 5.4
and is recommended for use with the high-density PCB.
If you cannot afford the FR-4 substrate, then using the Composite Epoxy
Material 1 (CEM-1) is an ideal alternative.
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6. Polyimide
This type of PCB substrate is higher Tg of up to 250-degree Celsius, which
makes it ideal for use with the high-temperature applications.
Unlike the CEM-1, which is a cost-effective variant to the FR-4 substrate;
the Polyimide substrate is costlier than the FR-4.
The attributes include:
 Solid conductive properties
 Flexible use to develop both Rigid-Flex and Flexible PCBs.

 Good temperature range and;
 Higher chemical resistance.
7. Rigid PCB Substrates
These are the opposites of the flexible substrates. The rigid PCB
substrates are rigid or “immobile,” hence, they cannot be relied on to offer
a similar bendability and or folding, as the flexible PCB substrates offer.
Conclusion
The different PCB substrate types offer you a plethora of options to
choose from. Rest assured that by using the FR-4 substrate, you will be
able to make different kinds of circuit boards.
If you are not cool with any of the options on this list, you can always
contact your substrate PCB manufacturer for recommendations.
Related Posts:
1. What Is IC Substrate ?
2. What is Alumina Substrate?
3. How to Choose the Best PCB Substrate for Board
4. What Is Multilayer Fr4 PCB Substrate Material?

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RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

What is Substrate in a PCB?

building to stand “the test of time,” as it is susceptible to collapsing after

will discuss in this article.

Why a Substrate is the “Foundation” of a PCB

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is merely a “flat or bare board,” which

properties. This is why the board is “equipped” with a non-conductive

substrate material that has both conductive pathways and electronic

components attached to it.

The substrate is aptly described as the “foundation” or “base material” of

the circuit board, because it is both a non-conductive material and a

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

As such, the substrate provides the foundation or platform that “holds”

the electronic components and traces in place. Therefore, you can

and electronic components on the circuit board.

Request PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Quote Now

The Types of PCB Substrates

Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). Of course, the properties and or

functionalities of these materials differ.

Here is a list of some of the popular/common PCB substrate materials:

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

that offers the best performance.

The Flame-Retardant 4 (FR-4) circuit board substrate is commonly made

out of a woven glass reinforced by epoxy resin. It is also said to be

fire-resistant, because of the properties of the epoxy resin used:

 The epoxy resin is always Flame-Retardant Level 4.

 The epoxy resin doesn’t absorb moisture and;

a. Features of FR-4 PCB Substrates

circuit boards, the FR-4 substrate has these characteristics:

 High electrical insulation, hence, the fireproof.

 Higher moisture resistance

 Higher electric strength

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

boards that have a complex structure, as well as the PCBs requiring

the high-frequency or high-speed applications.

substrates. Of course, they differ in terms of the properties and

These are some of the variants:

one of the fireproof elements.

 Standard FR-4 Substrate: this type of substrate is considered to be

the “standard” or the format for others, because of the economic

undertone. It also has a higher heat resistance, of up to 150-degree

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 High Tg FR-4 Substrate: this type of PCB substrate is prioritized for

the higher temperatures. It is noted for the higher value of Glass

Transition Temperature (Tg) – an attribute that supports the

substrate’s clocking of higher temperatures, of up to 1180˚C.

Teflon is a brand name for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which has a

Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) of 160. It is a type of plastic that doesn’t

offer resistance, which is why it is always used with high-frequency and

PTFE is highly-recommended for the high-frequency, microwave and

The features include:

 Excellent high-frequency properties that make it ideal for electronic

devices that handle higher signals, ranging from a few hundred

MHZs to tens of GHZs.

 The flame-resistance, flexible and lightweight design makes it ideal

for different kinds applications.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 The low dissipation and excellent temperature stability makes it