For over 50 years, printed circuit applications using FR-4 as a base material were limited to 130¡ãC continuous maximum operating temperature (MOT). This was more a definition limit set by UL and ANSI rather than a lack of thermal performance by the FR-4 products. Recently, UL changed the definition to allow FR-4 to be used at temperatures up to 150¡ãC if the long term thermal aging (LTTA) data passed the electrical and mechanical requirements.
Shengyi is the first base material supplier world-wide to have an FR-4 product listed with an electrical and mechanical Relative Thermal Index (RTI) of 150¡ãC. The product, S1170G, is a halogen-free epoxy system with a Tg of 180¡ãC and a Td of 390¡ãC designed for lead-free processing. The excellent CAF resistance allows S1170G to be used for high reliability applications including automotive, smartphone, and consumer electronics
The product is listed in Shengyi¡¯s UL File # E109769 as an ANSI Grade FR-15.1. FR-15.1 indicates that it is a halogen-free FR-4 product with RTI of 150¡ãC.
Board designers can feel more comfortable knowing that S1170G can be used at higher temperatures than for traditional FR-4s. Other current FR-4 products will also be listed as
FR-15 in the Shengyi UL file as customer requirements dictate.
Tags: PCB manufacturers, PCB fabricators, rigid-flex PCBs, PCB manufacturing, PCB production, Mass production PCB.