image: 3mm Aluminum Traffic Light PCB

What Is Aluminum PCB?

Aluminum PCB is also called MCPCB, Metal Core PCB, Aluminum Core PCB, Aluminum Backed PCB, Aluminum Clad PCB, Aluminum Plate PCB Clad PCB, Aluminum Plate PCB and IMS PCB, whichever name you prefer, they are all boards which use Aluminum as base material as the heat spreader portion of the circuit boards. Generally speaking, aluminum is the most economic option considering thermal conductivity, rigidness, and cost (relatively cheaper than copper, normal steel and stainless steel). So in most applications, people always use Aluminum as the base /core material to make Aluminum PCB /MCPCB. MCPCBs are used instead of traditional FR4 or CEM3 PCBs because of the ability to efficiently dissipate heat away from the components. This is achieved by using a Thermally Conductive Dielectric Layer.

The main difference between a FR4 board and MCPCB is the thermal conductivity dielectric material in the MCPCB. This acts as a thermal bridge between the IC components and metal backing plate. Heat is conducted from the package through the metal core to an additional heat sink. On the FR4 board the heat remains stagnant if not transferred by a topical heat sink. Some report shows that a MCPCB with a 1W LED remained near an ambient of 25C, while the same 1W LED on a FR4 board reached 12C over ambient. LED PCB always be produced with Aluminum core.

Aluminum PCB Advantages –Heat Dissipation and Thermal Conductivity

Some LEDs dissipate between 2-5W of heat and failures occur when the heat from a LED is not properly removed; a LED’s light output is reduced as well as degradation when the heat remains stagnant in the LED package. The purpose of a MCPCB is to efficiently remove the heat from all topical IC’s (not just LEDs). The aluminum base and thermally conductive dielectric layer act as bridges between the IC’s and heat sink. One single heat sink is mounted directly to the aluminum base eliminating the need for multiple heat sinks on top of the surface mounted components.

Thermal conductivity and contraction is the common nature of the substance, different CTE is different in thermal expansion. As its own characteristics, aluminum have unique advance than normal FR4, thermal conductivity can be 0.8~3.0 W/c.K.

Application of Aluminum PCB Boards

Multilayer Aluminum PCB /MCPCB

Under the expression of most people, there is only sing-sided Aluminum PCB /MCPCB. In fact, there are multilayer MCPCB. Multilayer IMS PCBs are made from multiple layers of thermally conductive MCPCB dielectric material. In Heros Electronics, we can make single-side and double-side aluminum PCB.

Notes in MCPCB/Aluminum PCB manufacturing process

In the MCPCB / Aluminum PCB manufacturing process, MCPCB manufacturers should pay attention to the artwork fabrication, material selection, image transferring, etching, surface finish and profile, etc.

1. There is side etching of Aluminum core PCB, factory must meet the accuracy of the trace so that need to do some trace compensation when make working Gerber files, but compensation must be confirmed as per the value of side etched with different MCPCB substrate thickness, the artwork is negative.

2. During the flow process of Aluminium PCB layer image, it usually use 0.3mm epoxy board, which the size is the same as the aluminium PCB board, and use the tape to blockade and compaction to avoid solution infiltration. After the finish on copper surface, the best way is to use the chemical micro etching, and then after board baking it should deal with wet film to prevent oxidation.

3. In the flow process of etching Aluminum PCB Board, need to use test boards to adjust the solution to ensure the best etching results. After etching on Aluminum based PCB, the way is to use SN solution to do strip immediately. In the process of etching in Aluminium Based PCB, need to use test boards to adjust the solution to ensure the best etching results.

4. Most of Aluminum PCB Manufacturers make the hole with diameter less than 6.0mm with NC drilling, but have to make the holes more than 6.0mm with routing, which can not ensure the hole size 100% round. If there is strict requirement of round holes, they will ask make a punching mould to make them more than 6.0mm.

5. Not like around 2008, nowadays more and more LED light designer and manufacturer has a demand of big Aluminum MCPCB or FR4, like 1200mm or even to 1600mm. For such long Aluminum PCB, most MCPCB suppliers can’t provide since they haven’t big enough equipment, like electroplate copper line, exposure machine, routing machine, related surface treatment line and routing machine. As a professional PCB manufacturer, we can do it perfectly.

Why Choose Us?

1. Professional PCB fabrication team -all engineers have years’ experience in PCB manufacturing field
2. Advanced equipment and high precision inspection & testing tools
3. Top raw materials including CCL (Copper Clad Lamination), chemistry, and solder mask ink & legend ink
4. Skilled operators with good command of all CCPs (Critical Control Points)
5. Full set of surface finish equipment can do ENIG, immersion silver, immersion Tin, OSP, HASL (lead free), plating gold and plating silver without outsourcing risk.
6. Cutting edge printed circuit board manufacturing process capacities
7. Max aspect ratio reaches to 10 : 1
8. Max copper weight on double PCB surface can reach to 6OZ
9. The thickness of solder mask can control to 50μm
10. Min Impedance control value is 50ohm +/- 5%
11. Min NC drilling diameter 0.2mm and min laser drilling diameter is 0.1mm
12. Circuit board manufacturing strictly as per IPC standards and make sure 100% qualified
13. Strictly perform PDCA (Plan-Do-Check Action Cycle) process, and continuously improve product performance
14. Leading outstanding enterprise of energy saving and environmental protection

And demand of Aluminum MCPCB, click here for quick quote.