PCB Laminates (FR4 & Polyimide)
Glass-fibre reinforced polymer laminates used as the substrate for printed circuit boards in automotive electronic control units and high-temperature applications.
Overview
Automotive PCB laminates provide the rigid or flexible substrate on which electronic circuits are etched and components mounted. FR4 (Flame Retardant grade 4) is the most widely used automotive PCB substrate — a woven E-glass fibre reinforced epoxy laminate with good electrical insulation, mechanical stiffness, and moisture resistance, suitable for most automotive ECU applications up to ~130°C. For higher-temperature applications (engine bay, exhaust-adjacent, power electronics), polyimide-based laminates (e.g. Kapton™-based flex circuits) offer continuous service to 260°C+. High-frequency ADAS and radar applications use specialist PTFE-based or ceramic-filled laminates (e.g. Rogers RO4000 series) for low dielectric loss at GHz frequencies.
Automotive Applications
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Properties
Category
Type
Electronic Substrate
Available Colors
Available Forms
Key Properties
- Electrical insulation
- Dimensional stability
- Flame retardant (FR4)
- High-temperature resistance (polyimide)
- Low dielectric loss (specialist grades)
- Mechanically stiff substrate
Technical Specifications
Density
1.85 g/cm³ (FR4)
Temperature Resistance
Up to 130°C (FR4 Tg); up to 260°C (polyimide)
Sustainability
Sustainability Rating
FR4 laminates are thermosets and cannot be easily recycled. Research into recyclable bio-based PCB substrates is ongoing. Copper recovery from PCB recycling is commercially established.