Thanks to the advantages (e.g. cost, space and weight savings) that flexible and Rigid-Flex PCBs offer, they are being used more and more frequently. The areas of application for flexible printed circuit boards (also known as FPC, Flexible Printed Circuit) are constantly expanding. They are used in important electronics sectors such as the automotive industry, consumer electronics, medical technology, telecommunications, wearables clothing and aerospace.
At Multi-CB, you can obtain flexible printed circuit boards both as prototypes and as series in the highest quality with 1-10 layers (also plated-through). Assembly options with or without adhesive (adhesiveless), polyimide or FR4 stiffeners, also with airgap design.
The standard surface used is chemical gold (ENIG), the contours are formed according to requirements, preferably using laser cutting, or also with mechanical milling.
You should discuss the selected materials and design for the construction and layout of flexible circuit boards with us in the planning phase; we can assist you to work out the optimum solution!
Please contact our CAM-Station-Team (tel. +49-8104-6280) for additional technical questions about flexible circuit boards. Please mind also our Design-Aid for flexible circuit boards.
Technical options for flexible circuit boards
| Options | Inclusive | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | 1 to 10 layers, plated-through | - | Layer buildup |
| Conductor width min. | 100µm | 100µm | |
| Annular ring min. | 100µm | 100µm | |
| Via min. Ø | 0.15mm | 0.2mm | |
| Surfaces | Chemical gold (recommended), ENEPIG, chem silver | Chemical gold | Surfaces |
| Materials | Polyimide, high Tg polyimide | Polyimide | Materials |
| Material thickness | starting at 25µm foil plus copper | 25µm, 50µm | |
| Copper thickness | from 18µm | 18µm, 35µm | |
| Stiffener | 0.025µm - 3.20mm | 0.2mm, 0.3mm | |
| Max. size | 250mm x 450mm | - | larger on request |
| Cover | Coverlay or flexible solder-stop | - | |
| Cover bridge min. | Coverlay: ≥ 350µm Flex. solder-stop: ≥ 100µm | - | Design-Aid |
| Impedance control | Yes (10% tolerance) | - | |
| Adhesive tape | 3M 9077 | - | Materials |
Please also refer to our Design-Aid for flex and rigid-flex PCBs.
FLEXIBLE PCBs, 1 - 10 Layers
Inclusive
- 0.1mm tracks
- 0.2mm drills, unlimited
- 0.4mm via pad
- Surface chem. gold
- Polyimid 25µm / 50µm
- Stiffener 0.2mm / 0.3mm
- E-Test, Design-Rule-Check
Optional: Impedance, Expr. 5WD, ..
| e.g. 40mm x 100mm | 1 Layer Flex | WD |
|---|---|---|
| 3 pcs. each | 66.79 € | 12WD |
| 3 pcs. each | 88.41 € | 8WD |
| 50 pcs. each | 6.47 € | 12WD |
| 50 pcs. each | 9.60 € | 9WD |
Materials for flexible circuit boards
| Material for flexible PCBs | Recommended max. operating temperature | Copper type | Tg | εr, Dk- Permittivity | CTE-z (T<Tg) | Electric Strenght | Surface Resistivity | Peel strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °C | * | °C | @1MHz | ppm/°C | KV/mm | MΩ | N/mm | |
| Polyimide + Adhesive | ||||||||
| Shengyi SF305 | 105° | RA | - | 3,6 | - | 21 | 1 x 10^5 | 1,1 |
| Polyimide Adhesiveless | ||||||||
| DuPont Pyralux AP | 180° | RA | 220 | 3,4 | 25 | 256 | 1 x 10^10 | 1,8 |
| Panasonic RF775 | 130° | ED | 343 | 3,2 | - | 276 | 1 x 10^8 | 1,7 |
| Thinflex W-05050 | 105° | ED | 350 | 3,3 | 24 | 216 | 1 x 10^5 | 0,6 |
| PI Coverlay | ||||||||
| Shengyi SF305C | 105° | - | - | - | - | - | 3 x 10^6 | - |
| DuPont Pyralux FR | 180° | - | - | 3,5 | - | 138 | 1 x 10^7 | - |
| Adhesive tape | ||||||||
| 3M 9077 | 150° | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
* RA = Rolled copper, suitable for dynamic, flexible applications; ED = Electrolytically deposited copper , only suited for stable and semi-dynamic applications (see Design-Aid Flex boards)
UL certification for flexible circuit boards
At Multi-CB, you also get one-sided and multilayer flexible printed circuit boards with UL certification.
Example - Stiffener
You can order your flexible circuit boards with a stiffener. The available thicknesses are: 0.075mm - 3.20mm.
Popular are the thicknesses 0.30mm and 0.20mm, e.g. for ZIF connectors.
Polyimid-Stiffener: 0.025mm - 0.225mm
FR4-Stiffener: 0.075mm - 3.20mm
In the Flex PCB calculator the final thickness (incl. stiffener) is given.
Flexible printed circuit boards FAQ
We offer flexible printed circuit boards as prototypes and series with 1 to 10 layers (plated through). Versions with or without adhesive (adhesiveless), stiffeners (reinforcements) made of polyimide or FR4 as well as fanned-out structures are available.
Included as standard: 0.1mm structure, 0.2mm drill, 0.4mm via pads, chemical gold (ENIG) as surface, polyimide material (25/50 µm), stiffener (0.2mm - 1.0mm, standard 0.3mm) as well as E-test and design rule check. Impedance control and express production are optional.
With dynamic bending, the flexible printed circuit board is constantly moved during operation (e.g. in a print head or hinge). Rolled copper (RA) is required here. With stable bending (bend-to-install), the PCB is only bent once during assembly and then remains in position - electrolytic copper (ED) is also sufficient here. See also: Design aid for flex and rigid-flex PCBs
You should coordinate the choice of material and design with us as early as the planning phase. For dynamic bending applications, we recommend rolled copper (RA); electrolytic copper (ED) is also suitable for stable bending. Our design assistance and CAM team will be happy to support you.
The standard surface is chemical gold (recommended), optionally also ENEPIG or chemical silver. We offer polyimide (0.025-0.225 mm) and FR4 (0.075-3.20 mm) as stiffeners - 0.20 mm and 0.30 mm are particularly popular for ZIF connectors.