Alumina (Al2O3) - The mechanical strength, chemical stability, thermal conductivity, and electrical properties of Al2O3 are advantageous compared to other oxide ceramics. The abundance of raw material makes alumina the most commonly used ceramic substrate material. Al2O3 ceramic PCBs are used in automobile sensor circuits, shock absorbers, and engines. The high thermal stability of Al2O3 ceramic PCBs improves the performance and thermal efficiency of the circuits used in automobiles.
Aluminum Nitride (AlN) - The high thermal conductivity and coefficient of expansion are two properties that make AlN noteworthy as a substrate material in the PCB industry. The thermal conductivity of AlN varies in the range of 170 W/mK to 220W/mK. The CTE of AlN ceramic matches with silicon semiconductor chips, which establishes a good bonding between the two, thus making their assembly reliable. AIN is used in sensor circuits in automobiles, as it can withstand extreme temperatures, corrosion, and vibration while providing efficient, accurate, and sensitive sensor signals.
Beryllium Oxide (BeO) - BeO is a ceramic PCB substrate material with a thermal conductivity around nine times that of Al2O3 and greater than metal aluminum. BeO showcases better chemical stability than AlN and high electrical isolation comparable with Al2O3e. BeO is used in applications where the PCB is subjected to high temperatures or in high-density PCBs facing space limitations to provide air or liquid cooling.
Aluminum oxide PCB (Al2O3 or Alumina) is today the most widely used ceramic printed circuit board and submounts. This is thanks to its good material properties, namely good thermal conductivity, low CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion), resistance to chemical hazards and hermeticity in combination with a relatively low cost and a more easy handling. Applications include for example cooling and heating modules, LED boards, medical circuits, sensor modules, and high-frequency devices.
The main reasons Alumina is chosen over other printed circuit boards is:
At Hemeixin, we supply both Aluminum Oxide PCB (Al2O3 96%) made by thick film process (Silver metalization) as well as Direct Plated Copper Technologies (DPC), with copper tracks and pads.
Aluminum Nitride PCB (AlN) is one of the best performing circuits solutions today for high current or high temperature electronics. Thanks to its incredible thermal conductivity (170 W/mK) and dielectric strength combined with its low thermal expansion (CTE <4 ppm/C) it is used today in many application ranging from high power LEDs and lasers to high current switches, ultra low temperature vacuum chamber electronics (e.g. quantum computing) and many many more … . Furthermore it has all the additional benefits other ceramic material have like rigidity, resistance against environments & chemical hazards and 0% water absorption.
The main reasons Aluminum Nitride is chosen over other printed circuit boards is:
At Hemeixin, we supply both Aluminium Nitride PCB (AlN) processed by thick film process (Silver/silver palladium metalization) as well as Direct Plated Copper Technologies (DPC), with copper tracks and pads.
When board thickness >2.5mm, board thickness/hole size ≧4:1,or min hole size out of above spec,evaluation is needed. Hole to hole space:0.25mm or larger.
Evaluation is needed when line width/space smaller than 50um, or line width/space smaller than above data.
Evaluation is needed when hard gold plating area bigger than 50%, silver plating and other plating thickness exceed above parameters.
Evaluation is needed when tolerance exceed above parameters.
Compared with regular substrates like glass epoxy (FR4) or aluminium (Al), the ceramic substrate is an ultra-thin composite structure. It offers superb electrical insulation, high thermal conductivity, high adhesion strength. Because of these characteristics, a ceramic substrate PCB has higher current carrying capacity, while it is possible to etch it just like a regular board can. With harsh weather resistance capabilities, ceramic PCBs are suitable for harsh outdoor environments. Ceramic PCBs are eminently suitable for product that generate high heat, such as solar energy equipment and high-brightness LEDs do.Alumina PCB and Aluminum Nitride PCB solutions below:
