Aluminum PCB factory: An ultimate guide on aluminum PCB boards design

Why do manufacturers use aluminum in circuit boards?

PCB manufacturers at the aluminum PCB factory are producing aluminum PCBs for serving the LED industry in the right way. Nowadays these boards are getting more popular as they are highly beneficial than standard boards.

Moreover, aluminum PCB boards have many differences in designs and working functionality than ordinary boards. These circuits are helpful to create the electrical products that are,

• lightweight
• high performance
• Multiple functions with high reliability.

This guide will help you to understand the aluminum PCB manufacturing process. Further, what is the difference between the aluminum PCB and metal-clad PCB boards? As well as several other important aspects which you really want to know about these boards.

What is the aluminum PCB?

Aluminum PCB boards consist of a very thin layer of dielectric material that is thermally conductive and transfers heat effectively. In aluminum PCB factory, it has several names such as,

• aluminum base
• aluminum clad
• Metal clad printed Circuit Board (MCPCB)
• Thermally conductive PCBs,
• Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS or IMPCB), etc.

Although these boards have several different names they perform in the same way. Basically, the aluminum PCB board consists of aluminum-based metalcore and a copper-clad lamination. Moreover, aluminum works as an ideal metal substrate as well as it is extremely affordable.

In fact, aluminum PCB boards provide vast versatility in comparison to the FR4 substrate. Additionally, these boards are the best choice to use in those applications that involve the following aspects,

• heat dissipation;
• heat maintaining;
• as well as controlling the overall temperature of the project.

Why is aluminum PCB factory use aluminum in circuit boards?

Manufacturers at the aluminum PCB factory highly prefer to use aluminum in PCB boards as it is highly beneficial. It has a thermal clad layer that keeps components cool by dissipating heat in an effective way.

Moreover, it can increase the overall performance of the products. Here we will discuss in detail why PCB manufacturers use aluminum in PCB circuit boards. Let’s start!

Ideally, Dissipate the Extra Heat:

In electronic devices, high temperatures can seriously damage the overall performance of the products. Hence, PCB manufacturers greatly prefer to use aluminum metal as it is ideal to dissipate the extra heat.

Furthermore, it also can transfer this heat away from critical components of the board. So, aluminum helps to minimize the dangerous effects of heat on electronic products.

 Environment Friendly:

Aluminum PCB factory is rapidly producing aluminum PCB boards as it is recyclable and non-toxic. So, using aluminum in creating PCB boards extremely helps to maintain our planet’s health.

Actually, aluminum alloy is extremely environment friendly.

Higher Durability:

The aluminum metal is ideally durable and has great strength in comparison to fiberglass or ceramic bases. Moreover, PCB manufacturers also find aluminum base much sturdier in handling.

In addition, it reduces all the accidental breakage in daily uses. So, aluminum also has higher durability that helps to make electronic products more durable and stronger.

Extremely Light in Weight:

Basically, the metal of aluminum is surprisingly light in weight. This metal material can easily add resilience and strength. Moreover, it also helps to design electronic products that are smart and do not have the extra weight.

Comparatively Low in Cost:

Aluminum is actually a very common material. Moreover, PCB manufacturers of an aluminum PCB factory can easily get it at reasonable prices. Since it is very low in cost than any other material. In fact, it is very easy to mine and refines.

What is the aluminum PCB manufacturing process?

PCB designers laminate a thin layer of thermally conductive but electrically insulating dielectric between a copper foil and a metal base. Further, they etch the copper foil into the desired circuit pattern and the metal base.

Actually, this metal base can draw the extra heat away from this circuit via the thin dielectric.

Here we will discuss the manufacturing process of aluminum PCB circuits in detail. The manufacturing process of aluminum PCB boards that you can get from an aluminum PCB factory is generally the same. Let’s start to discuss it in a step-by-step process.

Copper Etching:

PCB manufacturers generally use a thicker copper foil to create an aluminum PCB board. However, they pay deep attention to accurately design the trace width of aluminum foil. Further, if they decide to use the copper foil over 3oz then they must etch the proper width compensation.

What is the aluminum PCB prototyping?

Prototyping is very important for any business as only a perfect metal prototype can help to produce ideal finished products. Electronic engineers use PCB prototypes in the early designs to test better functionality.

In the same way, aluminum PCB prototypes help to find drawbacks before starting the final mass production. Furthermore, PCB prototyping also helps to easily test all the complex design considerations before a final design.

The advantages of aluminum PCB board for the LED industry

In the LED industry, among all types of MCPCBs aluminum PCBs are getting more popular. Basically, aluminum is ideal to give better thermal conductivity and maximum electrical insulation.

Today LED industry is highly dependent on aluminum PCB boards manufactured in aluminum PCB factory because of the following features:

1. Aluminum metal is extremely light in weight
2. Aluminum PCB boards are also easier to handle and ship
3. The aluminum metal is less expansive in comparison to several other metals
4. It is ideal to sink heat as well as can easily transfer heat
5. By using aluminum PCB boards, electronic designers can put more LEDs on the board
6. Aluminum PCB boards greatly help to increase the life span of LED electronic products

What is the difference between the aluminum PCB and metal-clad PCB?

Conventional PCB boards use a fiberglass substrate; on the other hand, aluminum baseboards contain an aluminum backing and thermally conductive dielectric layers. Aluminum-backed PCBs have the ability to increase the durability of LED products.

Moreover, aluminum PCB boards are also useful to increase the shelf life of LED products. The standard boards cannot perform well in comparison to aluminum PCB circuits.

PCB designers in the aluminum PCB factory create several types according to their structure and designs. For example:

• Through-hole aluminum PCB
• Flexible aluminum PCB
• Multilayer aluminum printed circuit board
• High thermal conductivity aluminum PCB
• High-frequency aluminum PCB.

Electronic designers are making use of these boards in the LED industry to produce high-quality products.

Conclusion:

Aluminum PCB boards are highly advantageous to use in CPU boards, floppy drives, and power devices. Moreover, electronic designers are using aluminum PCB boards in modern computers, floppy drives, and power devices. All in all, aluminum PCB boards are highly beneficial than standard PCB circuits.