PCB Substrates Ceramic or Organic? Printed Circuit Board Manufacturer ACDi Has the Answer

The military electronics sector, and its defense contracting partners rely heavily on  high quality, reliable printed circuit boards (PCBs) to support security and counter-terror measures around the globe. And so it is critical that they, and we as the leading PCB layout and manufacturing firm utilize the most advanced technology on the market.

ACDi recommends the use of ceramic printed circuit boards for high pressure, high insulation, high frequency, high temperature, highly reliable and low-volume electronic products.

Ceramic PCBs boast better overall quality, higher resolution, and excellent bonding properties over organic, rendering the substrate more conducive to producing precision patterns, and providing better protection from moisture ingress.

Though the benefits of ceramic printed circuit boards are many, the drawbacks should be considered:

• The cost difference is substantial. The decision to print on a ceramic substrate will require an initial investment up to 10 times higher than to print on an organic one.
• The technology is still relatively new, and so few printed circuit board manufacturers are offering the capability to build on and with the ceramic substrate.

Decided an organic printed circuit board is right for your application?

Where the manufacturing of a ceramic PCB requires a punching process, an organic substrate is manipulated using an organic solderability preservative (OSP), a method for coating of printed circuit boards. This water-based organic compound selectively bonds to copper and protects the copper until soldering.

An organic substrate enables the printed circuit board manufacturer to employ an additive screen process instead of an edge-removal, etched process—the end result, a PCB design that is nearly entirely organic.

Whether an organic or a ceramic substrate is the best choice will depend on your application requirements and your budget.

Contact ACDi to learn more about designing and manufacturing the printed circuit board that is right for your application.