Know the different copper thicknesses used in PCB board

 

In a PCB board, its copper thickness is easily measurable. It is usually specified as the weight of copper in terms of an ounce per square foot for each area. The standard thickness of copper used is 34 micrometers or 1.344 mils. Some electronic circuit boards will be designed with heavy copper layers that go beyond three ounces of copper per square foot.

A PCB that is designed with heavy copper layers is mostly designed for applications where a PCB board needs a high current to function properly. These electronic boards also play a crucial role in dissipating heat. The standard thickness of copper for FR-4 substrates is one ounce copper per square foot.

A printed circuit board may be designed with varying copper thicknesses, as well, according to the specifications of users. However, the two most common options for copper thickness used in the industry are 0.5 ounces per square foot and 2 ounces per square foot. Electronic circuit boards with high copper thickness can be effectively used for high-power electronic devices.

In most global countries, the thickness of copper foil of a circuit board is specified in oz/ft2 or ounces per square foot. Some countries mention copper thickness as just an ounce. The most commonly used copper thickness used in the PCB industry includes:

·         0.5 ounce per square foot

·         1 ounce per square foot

·         2 ounces per square foot

·         3 ounces per square foot

The less commonly used copper thickness in PCB manufacturing is 0.5 ounces per square foot. However, manufacturers use this copper thickness for external layers of a PCB board while plating through holes to increase the copper weight of the finished board.

 Some printed circuit board manufacturers refer to 1 ounce per square foot of copper foil as having 35 μm as the copper thickness. Some other manufacturers refer to this copper thickness as 35 μ, 35 mics, or 35 microns.

Usually, the PCB printing process mainly counts on the thickness of the copper used in a PCB board. Thus,

·         1/0  refers to 1 ounce of copper on one side of the board and without copper on the other side.

·         1/1 refers to 1 ounce of copper on both sides. Of the board

·         H/0  denotes 0.5 ounces of copper per square foot on one side of the board.

·         H/H indicates 0.5 ounces of copper per square foot on both sides of a board, including a PCB prototype board.

·         2/0 refers to the copper thickness of 2 ounces per square foot on one side of the board, which may be an LCD PCB or other types of circuit boards, as well.

2/2 refers to a printed circuit board that is designed with a copper thickness of 2 ounces per square foot on both sides of the board.

A Rigid Flex PCB can be effectively utilized in a different array of applications. This type of PCB board is being increasingly used because of its weight as well as space reduction capabilities. It is also the most economical way of completing a project, as these PCBs carry the beneficial features of a rigid circuit board and flexible electronic circuit board.