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The previous article briefly introduced PCB laminate; this article is mainly a summary of Rogers RF PCB materials.
Rogers' RO4000® series of hydrocarbon ceramic laminates and prepregs have consistently led the industry. This low-loss material is widely used in microwave and
millimeter-wave frequency designs, offering easier circuit fabrication and consistent performance compared to traditional PTFE materials.
Advantages: Compatible with FR-4 manufacturing processes, stable dielectric constant (Dk), high thermal conductivity (.6-.8 W/m.K), compatible with lead-free soldering processes,
low Z-axis CTE, ensuring highly reliable plated vias, optimized cost-effectiveness, Dk range (2.55-6.15), and UL 94 V-0 flame retardant rating.
RO4350B™ Laminates
Rogers RO4350B material is a proprietary glass cloth reinforced, ceramic/hydrocarbon composite material that combines the electrical properties of PTFE/glass
cloth with the processability of epoxy/glass.
The RO4350B laminate features a tightly controlled dielectric constant (Dk) and low loss characteristics, and its processing method is the same as standard epoxy/glass.
Unlike PTFE materials, the RO4350B laminate does not require special through-hole treatment or processing procedures, and its processing cost is significantly lower than
traditional microwave laminates. The material meets the UL 94 V-0 flame retardant rating, making it suitable for active devices and high-power RF designs.
Features & Benefits: Dk 3.48 +/- 0.05, Df 0.0037@10GHz, Z-axis thermal expansion coefficient 32 ppm/°C; similar processing technology to FR-4, lower cost, high cost-effectiveness,
and excellent dimensional stability.
RO4360G2™ Laminate
Rogers RO4360G2 laminate is a glass fiber reinforced, ceramic-filled hydrocarbon thermosetting material with extremely low loss characteristics, achieving a good balance
between performance and processability.
RO4360G2 laminate is the first high dielectric constant (Dk) thermosetting laminate, with a processing method similar to FR-4. The material can be processed without lead
and has increased rigidity, improving the processability of multilayer board structures while reducing material and manufacturing costs. RO4360G2 laminate can be used
with RO4400™ series prepregs and the lower dielectric constant RO4000® laminate in multilayer board designs.
Features & Benefits
Dk 6.15 +/- 0.15, Df 0.0038 @ 10GHz, high thermal conductivity up to 0.75 W/(m.K), Z-axis thermal expansion coefficient 28 ppm/°C, high Tg, greater than 280°C TMA;
automatable assembly, high-reliability plated through-holes, environmentally friendly, compatible with lead-free processes, efficient supply chain,
and short delivery cycle make this material a low-cost, high-efficiency choice.
RO4500™ Laminates
Rogers RO4500 series high-frequency laminates are cost-effective materials designed to meet the needs of the antenna market.
RO4500 high-frequency laminates are fully compatible with conventional FR-4 processing and high-temperature lead-free soldering processes.
These laminates do not require the special treatments required for traditional PTFE materials during the plated through-hole fabrication process.
The RO4500 resin system provides the necessary characteristics for ideal antenna performance. This product line offers affordable alternatives to traditional antenna technologies,
helping designers create high-performance antennas at the best cost-effectiveness.
Features & Benefits: Dielectric constant (Dk) range: 3.3 ~ 3.5 (+/- 0.08), loss factor: 0.0020 ~ 0.0037, available in large board sizes; LoPro® copper foil provides
superior passive intermodulation (PIM) performance, offering better mechanical properties than PTFE materials. CTE matching with copper reduces stress on PCB antennas.
RO4700™ Antenna-Grade Laminates
Rogers' RO4700 series antenna-grade laminates are highly reliable, high-performance, and low-cost alternatives to traditional PTFE laminates.
The RO4700 resin system provides the necessary characteristics for ideal antenna performance. RO4700 antenna-grade laminates are fully compatible with conventional FR-4 and
high-temperature lead-free soldering processes. The material allows for electroplating through-hole fabrication without the special processing required for traditional PTFE laminates.
RO4700 laminate offers high cost-effectiveness and can replace traditional PTFE-based antenna materials, helping designers optimize antenna performance.
Characteristics & Benefits
Dielectric constant: 2.55 / 3.0 (+/- 0.05), Low Z-axis CTE: < 30 ppm/°C, Low TCDk, Loss factor: .0022 ~ .0029, High Tg, > 280°C; Low insertion loss,
Dk matches standard PTFE antenna products, excellent passive intermodulation (PIM) performance, and better performance consistency.
RO4830™ Laminate
Rogers RO4830 high-frequency laminate is a thermoset material characterized by high reliability and low cost.
The RO4830 thermoset laminate is ideal for price-sensitive millimeter-wave applications, such as 76-81 GHz automotive radar sensors. The RO4830 laminate can be manufactured
using the standard FR-4 process and is typically used in surface-layer millimeter-wave circuit designs for PCB applications of 76-81 GHz automotive radar sensors.
Features & Benefits: Design Dk: 3.24@77GHz, extremely low insertion loss: 2.2dB/inch @77GHz, UL 94 V-0 flame retardant rating, optimized filler, resin, and glass composite system,
smooth LoPro® copper foil with reverse processing; significant oxidation resistance, excellent laser drilling performance, stable and consistent dielectric constant,
further reducing the overall cost of PCB manufacturing, making it an ideal choice for automotive radar sensor PCB applications.