What is metal core PCB?
What is metal Core PCB?
Metal Core PCB is the metal core object for PCBs.
It is infused from a technology developed to overcome the thermal limitations.
Most of these PCBs are made of Aluminum core, copper core, and Steel Alloy.
The purpose is to forward the heat from the critical board components to the lesser critical areas.
Base materials of MPCB are the alternative to FR4 or CEM3 boards.
The metal core is far better than the FR4 boards and able to perform at high temperatures.
There is another type of metal-based PCB that is Insulated Metal Substrate PCB that is effective for electrical isolation between the copper and metal core.
It uses a special dielectric specifically customized for high thermal conductivity.
Types of metal Core PCBs
1. Aluminum metal core PCB
Aluminum is the better material because of its excellent heat transferring compatibility and dissipation ability.
The Aluminum MCPCBs are cheaper where as the copper is a bit expensive but offers superior performance.
On the other hand, stainless steel is robust compared to the other two materials.
Normal steel or stainless steel both are used in metal core PCBs and ensures better connectivity that lowers the thermal indulgence.
The base or core materials differ based on the construction of the applications.
2.Copper metal core PCB
Copper core is the best material because of the heat transferring compatibility and dissipation ability.
Copper core PCB Widely used for high-power LED lighting, especially,
1 LED power >3 W For example , Cree XLamp LEDs series.
The normal copper core PCB standard thermal conductivity is 2.0 W/m.k , excellence insulating layer could be achieved up to 12.0 W/m.k
If choose our direct thermal path technology to make MCPCB,
The thermal conductivity up to 385 W/m.k
Metal Core PCB stack up
Single sided metal core PCB
The metal core PCBs are generally constructed by using aluminum or copper core from the bottom to the board serving as the heat sink.
It is a great source of dissipating heat in an intense-power generator to the analog circuitry.
The PCB is connected by a bunch of mounting holes and screws around the constructed chassis of the box.
2 layers metal core PCB
During some design have many components,there no enough space to layout the in 1 Layer,
Must design it as 2 Layers metal core pcb, that call 2 layers metal core PCB.
There are 2 types of this design.
2 layers with single sided SMD MCPCB
2 layers with double sided Mounted Components MCPCB
Multilayer metal core pcb
Multilayer MCPCB could layout more circuit, the MCPCB smaller much.
This arrangement is made so that the heat can dissipate through the metal core and transmit to the chassis.
Most of the LED or analog devices are populated with considerably larger boards.
The surface of the boards finishes by dissipating the heat.
While using the MCPCBs, it is obliged to take proper caution because it is constructed with some complex and complicated metal layers laminated with FR4 based on glass material.
The chemistry for lamination differs while the board is fabricated.
If the board is bonded properly then there might be voids below the lamination and caution is necessary.
The dissipated fixture of heat is anticipated from the metal core which is needed to be defined and designed carefully.
Thermal Management of MCPCB
Thermal management is important for the electronic systems to encompass the processes along with the technologies.
The main objective of thermal management is to ensure the temperature remains consistent for the functional and absolute maximum limits.
The temperature exceeding the limit may cause destruction physically or may lead to a system failure.
Therefore, metal core PCB is essential because efficient thermal management increases the feasibility, enhances durability, and reduces the failure rates.
It also enables the high circuit density design for the users.
Basically, thermal conductivity is a specific material from a property with the ability to conduct proper heat management as soon as it enters into the system.
The conventional PCBs share less thermal conductivity and also not capable enough to meet the increased demand for the thermal constraint required for high power dissipation PCB.
The best alternative to solve this problem is the Metal Core Printed Circuit Board.
Benefits of Metal Core PCB
To ensure the longevity of the electronic systems like LED-based Solid State Lighting and other heat-emitting applications, metal core PCB fabrication can be beneficial.
It always enables quick heat removal from the LED devices to prevent from burning.
A lower thermal resistance can be acquired to incorporate a dielectric polymer layer along with a high thermal conductivity level.
The laminates in the MCPCB dissipates the heat ensuring the perfect heat management and by this, a longer operating life will be assured along with the maximized performance.
The MCPCB is 8 to 9 times faster than the FR4 PCBs as it laminates the dissipated heat to keep the heat-generating components cooler.
The reliability feature of the device also becomes polished. The mounted components in LED devices practices a great effect on solving the problem related to overheating.
The thermal conductivity of the electronic products has the advantages for:
-Higher conductivity of material with faster heat emission
-The imprinted metal boards can control the heat flow among the components
-The aluminum boards are weighted lighter than the ceramics
-The metal substrates are long-lasting and conductive
-Appropriate for the rugged applications so that the components never fall off from the core reduction or vibration
The metal core PCBs offer natural reflectivity for any sort of light traveling towards the substrate and augments the brightness from devices.
The green and red indicators of the power button are systemized to reduce the risk of an unexpected situation.
Maintaining the heat to keep the devices cool creates a safety hazard that requires the light output to remain consistent.
The substrate materials are formulated to improve the reliability feature for various components of the application and dissipate efficiently and safely.
Applications of Metal Core PCB
The technology of the metal core PCB is ideal for its applications that generate immense heat and have difficulty being cool down using conventional fans or other cooling methods.
MCPCBs play an integral role to achieve a high illumination with fewer requirements than LEDs require.
The fabrication process of metal core PCB is helpful for the applications
Since the MCPCBs are most often used in LED technologies for producing a certain illumination the light-emitting diodes releases the heat in applications like:
– General lighting
– Automotive systems
– Industrial, telecom, power supplies, and high voltage regulators types of power converters
– Photovoltaic
– Street safety lightings and streetlights
– Backlight applications
Military and aerospace are another two other sectors appropriate to utilize the benefits of metal core PCBs in their applications.
These sectors are quite sensitive and need to endure frequent thermal cycling, limits of temperature and humidity, along with repeated mechanical shocks.
The MCPCB deals according to the operational requirements only if better structural veracity and thermal conductivity enabling withstanding greater shocks.
The higher the conductivity of thermal, the better it is for the temperature distribution throughout the boards as it ensures a uniform for thermal cycling.
It also stops forming hot spots before near to the active components.
Other than these, MCPCB works great in solar panels and motion control applications.
The combination of a metal core with HDI PCB technology can create an advanced circuit technology including microwave RF PCB, flex PCB, and rigid-flex PCBs.
As the demand for PCBs is high due to the remarkable benefits, the metal core PCB is the most widely used one among all the others.
It ensures high circuitry density, thermal management, and enhanced reliability for enhanced performance.
