How to choose FR4 epoxy sheets?

What are FR4 epoxy sheets?

FR4 consists of woven fiberglass and a flame-retardant epoxy resin. It’s often used as an insulator in dry or humid conditions. Because it offers consistently excellent mechanical and electrical performance, it’s considered a generalist material that works for various applications.
The FR in FR4 stands for “flame retardant,” while the 4 signifies that it’s a glass epoxy.

How to choose FR4 epoxy sheets?

Choosing the right FR4 epoxy sheet is critical to ensuring the performance and reliability of electronic devices. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing an FR4 epoxy sheet:

1. Quality

Quality is the primary factor in choosing FR4 epoxy sheets. High-quality FR4 epoxy sheets are manufactured with strict processes and high material purity to ensure their mechanical strength, electrical properties and thermal stability. Therefore, when choosing FR4, those manufacturers with good reputation and long production experience should be given priority, who are usually able to provide high-quality products.

2. Thickness

The thickness of the FR4 epoxy sheet will affect its mechanical strength and insulation properties. Choosing the appropriate thickness can meet the actual needs of the equipment. In general, thicker sheets have higher mechanical strength and better insulation properties, but also increase cost and weight. Therefore, when selecting FR4, the appropriate thickness should be determined according to the specific requirements and space constraints of the equipment.

3. Thermal performance

The thermal stability of FR4 epoxy sheet is one of its key properties. In high temperature environments, high-quality FR4 epoxy sheets maintain stable physical and chemical properties and are not susceptible to deformation or aging. Therefore, when selecting FR4, parameters such as its thermal deformation temperature and thermal expansion coefficient should be paid attention to ensure that the selected material can remain stable within a specific temperature range.

4. Electrical performance

Electrical performance is one of the important characteristics of FR4 epoxy sheet. High-quality FR4 epoxy sheets have low dielectric constant and dielectric loss, as well as high insulation resistance and arc resistance. These characteristics make the FR4 epoxy sheet widely used in high voltage electrical appliances, electronic circuits and other fields. In the selection, its electrical performance parameters attention should be concerned to ensure that the selected material can meet the electrical requirements of the equipment.

5. Reliability

Reliability is another important factor to consider when choosing FR4 epoxy sheets. High-quality FR4 epoxy sheets should have good corrosion resistance, aging resistance and dimensional stability. And it can maintain stable performance in harsh environments. At the same time, the manufacturer's after-sales service and quality assurance policy is also an important aspect of assessing its reliability. When choosing FR4, manufacturers that provide sound after-sales service and warranty policies should be given priority.

6. Application Scenarios

Understanding the usage scenario is crucial to choosing the right FR4 epoxy sheet. Different application scenarios have different requirements for FR4 epoxy sheets. For example, in high temperature environments or scenarios requiring high insulation, FR4 epoxy sheets with higher thermal stability and insulation properties should be selected; If the equipment needs to be inserted and removed frequently, then a sheet with high mechanical strength should be selected to prevent damage caused by frequent insertion and removal.

By thoroughly evaluating these factors above, you can ensure that the selected material meets the specific needs of the equipment and has a good cost.

Ztelec Group is a professional manufacturer of high-quality electrical insulation materials with more than sixty-five years of manufacturing experience. If you need more product information and quotes, please contact us.