High-Frequency PCB Materials: PTFE vs. Ceramic-Filled Substrates
- Sunsoar engineer Mia
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
PTFE: The Gold Standard for RF Purity
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is known for its exceptionally low dielectric loss and stable dielectric constant. This makes it ideal for ultra-high-frequency designs such as microwave antennas and phased arrays.
Advantages:
Low Dielectric Loss (Df): Offers minimal signal loss, especially above 10GHz.
Stable Dk: Maintains signal integrity across wide frequency and temperature ranges.
High Chemical and Thermal Resistance: Well-suited for aerospace and defense.
Limitations:
Expensive and Difficult to Process: PTFE is soft and may require special handling, including plasma treatment before lamination or drilling.
Poor Dimensional Stability: PTFE tends to expand during processing, which can affect registration in multilayer builds.
Ceramic-Filled Substrates: Balanced Performance and Cost
Ceramic-filled hydrocarbon-based materials (like Rogers RO4350B or RO4835) are a popular alternative, offering a compromise between performance and processability.
Advantages:
Good Electrical Performance: Slightly higher loss than PTFE but sufficient for most RF/mixed-signal designs.
Excellent Mechanical Stability: Less warpage and better dimensional control during fabrication.
Easier to Fabricate: Compatible with standard FR4 processes—no plasma or special drills needed.
More Cost-Effective: Ideal for commercial wireless or IoT designs with moderate-frequency demands.
Limitations:
Slightly Higher Loss Tangent: May not be suitable for extreme frequency-sensitive applications like millimeter-wave radar.
Sunsoar’s Take
At Sunsoar PCB, we work with both PTFE-based laminates (such as Rogers RT/duroid 5880) and ceramic-filled options. Our engineering team helps customers choose based on specific electrical specs, budget, and assembly needs. Whether you're building a low-loss radar transceiver or a high-yield IoT module, we’ll match you with the right material stack-up and ensure smooth processing from prototyping to volume production.
👉 For a quote or technical guidance, contact us at sales03@sunsoartech.com or call +86 13632793113.
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