Metal Core PCB are composed from copper film used for circuit lithography, a metal layer with a high heat dissipation capacity, and a dielectric layer. Copper and aluminiumare the materials most frequently used to fabricate metal layers. However, manufacturers also use stainless steel sometimes. Copper outperforms aluminium in terms of performance and electrical characteristics, but copper is more expensive.
The metal layer can be 100% metal or partly fibreglass (FR-4). Due to its high manufacturing complexity, the multilayer version of metallic PCBs is less prevalent. Instead, they can be single or double-sided. A multilayer MCPCB requires that the layers be distributed equally concerning the inner metal layer; for instance, a PCB with 12 layers would place the metal layer in the middle of the stack-up, with 6 layers above and 6 layers below.
Benefits of Metal Core PCB
Metal PCBs provide superior capacitive coupling, strong electromagnetic shielding, increased power density, and efficient thermal dissipation. Thermal vias, which are used in conventional PCBs, can further enhance thermal performance. Here are the top benefits of Metal Core PCB:
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Thermal Dissipation
One PCB alternative with a higher heat conductivity is metal core PCB. They avoid potential circuit damage, increase power levels, and manage high-density circuits by keeping the heat as far away from the power components as feasible. Aluminium is a popular material for metal core PCB because it is affordable, recyclable, and has good electrical qualities. Moreover, metal core PCBs are incredibly faster than standard PCB.
The dielectric layer should be thin to establish the simplest path with the metal plate, and it typically has a thickness of about 0.003 to 0.006 inches. For instance, a test on a metal core PCB using integrated 1W LED revealed that its temperature stayed very near 25°C. However, the same power LED installed on a PCB attained a temperature 12°C higher than 25°C.
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Better Stability and Strength
The rapid LED technology’s growth has highlighted concerns about heat dissipation. Particularly high-power LED lights and the circuit may have reliability and stability issues because these LEDs are typically positioned directly on the PCB. Heat dissipation can impair the operation of electronics that use a lot of power if the proper technique is not used.
This issue is successfully resolved using metal PCBs. Aluminum adds resistance and strength to the PCB without adding weight and ensures longevity.
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Dimensional Stability
As external circumstances change, metal core PCB’s size will remain more stable than one made of more conventional material, such as FR-4. PCBs containing metal layers have had a relatively slight size variation, between 2.5% and 3.0% when heated between 30°C to 150°C.
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Longer Lifetime
Aluminium offers superior strength and longevity compared to materials such as fiberglass and ceramic, frequently used in producing PCBs. It consist of strong metal and reduces the risk of breakage during different production phases, while using finished products or assembly.
Conclusion
In contrast to ceramic substrates, the material architecture of metal core PCBs enables mounting configurations appropriate for solid-state relays in various control applications. A solid-state relay architecture requires a mechanically durable structure and thermally efficient, which metal core PCBs provide.
Manufacturers are developing new forms of metal core PCB material, particularly dielectrics to achieve high thermal performance requirements that can even outperform current ceramic-based designs.
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