We are your go-to PCB partner and supplier if you are looking for a trusted PCB manufacturer. At JHYPCB, we offer metal core PCB prototype manufacturing and MCPCB fabrication quantities for aluminum core and heavy copper PCBs.
A metal core PCB, or MCPCB, is a printed circuit board with a metal core, typically aluminum, as its base material. The metal core provides improved thermal conductivity compared to traditional PCBs, which makes MCPCBs well-suited for high-power applications that generate a lot of heat.
MCPCBs are commonly used in applications such as LED lighting, power converters, motor control, and automotive electronics. The improved thermal performance of MCPCBs allows for higher power densities and increased reliability, which is especially important in harsh environments or applications that require long lifetimes.
One of the main advantages of MCPCBs is their ability to efficiently dissipate heat, which helps prevent overheating and prolongs the lifespan of the components on the board. Additionally, MCPCBs are often smaller and lighter than traditional ones, which can be beneficial in applications with limited space. They also provide good electromagnetic shielding and can reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).
Excellent thermal management: MCPCBs have superior thermal conductivity, making them suitable for high-power applications that generate significant heat. They dissipate heat more efficiently, resulting in enhanced reliability and longer lifetimes for electronic devices.
Metal core PCBs are used in a wide range of applications that require high-power and/or reliable performance, particularly those that generate significant heat. Some common applications of MCPCBs include:
Aluminum and copper are commonly used in metal core PCBs due to their excellent thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity properties, respectively. The use of these materials helps to dissipate heat generated by high-power components on the PCB, leading to improved performance and reliability.
Aluminum Core PCBs: Aluminum has a thermal conductivity of approximately 200 W/mK, which is much higher than that of traditional FR4 PCBs (approximately 0.2-0.3 W/mK). This high thermal conductivity allows heat to be efficiently transferred away from the high-power components on the PCB, preventing overheating and potential damage to the components. Aluminum is also lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to manufacture, making it a popular choice for MCPCBs.
The characteristics of aluminum core PCB are:
Copper Core PCBs: Copper, on the other hand, has excellent electrical conductivity, with a resistivity of approximately 1.7 x 10^-8 ohm-m at room temperature. This makes copper an ideal choice for power electronics and motor control applications, where high currents and low resistances are required. Copper also has good thermal conductivity, with a value of approximately 400 W/mK, which makes it suitable for applications that require both good electrical and thermal performance.
In addition to aluminum and copper, steel, stainless steel or nickel are also one of the materials used for metal core PCBs, but aluminum and copper become the first choice due to their special performance and cost performance.
Various base metals and their properties
| Material | Thermal Conductivity (W/mK) | Electrical Conductivity (MS/m) | Density (g/cm3) | Cost ($) per kg |
| Aluminum | 200 | 37 | 2.7 | 2.25 |
| Copper | 400 | 100 | 8.96 | 9.35 |
| Steel | 15 | 7 | 7.85 | 1.50 |
| Nickel | 91 | 14.3 | 8.91 | 13.50 |
The stack-up of a metal core PCB typically consists of three main layers:
In addition to these three main layers, MCPCBs may also include additional layers such as solder mask, silkscreen, and surface finish layers. These additional layers help to protect and enhance the functionality of the PCB.
It consists of a single copper conductive layer on the top, a metal layer as a base plate and a thermal conductive dielectric working as the insulator.
It has two copper layers and the metal core is between the copper layers. The copper layers are interconnected via Plated Through Holes (PTH).
It has more than two conductive layers separated by thermal dielectric. The structure of the metal base is at the bottom. SMT components can only be placed on one side. THT components are not allowed, but it provides the possibility to make blind and buried vias.
We, at JHYPCB, are a reliable manufacturer of Metal Core PCBs catering to a wide range of industries. Our use of cutting-edge technology enables us to meet the custom requirements of our clients. With over four decades of experience in manufacturing state-of-the-art metal core printed circuit boards and a vast body of industry knowledge, we are the go-to PCB partner for our clients. Our team of PCB experts, equipped with industry best practices, provides great support in manufacturing custom metal printed circuit boards to exact requirements.
Our metal PCBs undergo stringent quality checks, ensuring that our clients receive products of the finest quality that comply with the highest industry standards. Our quick turnaround times give a boost to your go-to-market plan, offering you a competitive advantage. Additionally, our vast network of component suppliers enables us to offer cost-effective prices.
Whether you need Metal Core PCB prototypes or large production runs, you can count on our metal core circuit board services, without compromising on quality. We also provide turnkey Metal Core PCB manufacturing services, allowing you to focus on your core business while we take care of the entire end-to-end process.
Contact us with your bespoke requirements and allow us to offer you custom quotes.
Manufacturing Capability | Description |
Layer Count | Typically 1-8 layers |
Board Thickness | 0.4mm – 3.2mm |
Copper Thickness | 0.5oz – 10oz |
Minimum Trace/Spacing | 0.1mm |
Minimum Hole Size | 0.2mm |
Minimum Mechanical Drill Size | 0.3mm |
Surface Finish | HASL, ENIG, OSP, Immersion Tin/Silver/Gold, Hard Gold |
Solder Mask Color | Green, Blue, Black, White, Yellow, Red |
Silkscreen Color | White, Black, Yellow |
Material Options | Aluminum, Copper, Stainless Steel, Nickel |
Maximum Board Size | Up to 600mm x 1200mm |
Special Features | Blind/Buried Vias, Counter Sinks, Controlled Impedance, Edge Plating, Via Plugging |
To further enhance the thermal management capabilities of MCPCBs, additional techniques can be employed, such as thermal vias and thermal pads. Thermal vias are small holes drilled through the PCB that allow heat to be transferred to the metal core layer more efficiently. Thermal pads are areas on the PCB where the metal core layer is exposed, allowing heat to be dissipated directly to the heat sink.
Yes, metal core PCBs can be customized according to the specific needs of the application. Customization options include material selection, thickness, size, and shape.
Metal core PCBs are manufactured using similar processes as traditional FR-4 PCBs, including etching, drilling, plating, and soldering. However, extra care must be taken in the design and manufacturing process to ensure proper heat dissipation and thermal management.
Design considerations for metal core PCBs include thermal management, proper grounding, material selection, trace routing, and component placement.
Performance testing of metal core PCBs can be done using thermal imaging, power cycling, and other tests to measure thermal conductivity, electrical performance, and reliability.
Metal core PCBs can be ordered from a variety of PCB manufacturers and suppliers. It's important to choose a reputable supplier with experience in manufacturing metal core PCBs and a good track record of quality and reliability. JHYPCB is a professional PCB manufacturer and supplier in China, offering high-quality metal core PCB prototyping to mass production; you can send the Gerber files to sales@pcbjhy.com for a quick and free quote.
The thickness of metal cores PCB substrate is typically 30 mil - 125 mil, but thicker and thinner are possible.
MCPCB copper foil thickness can be 1 - 10 oz.
A metal core PCB, also known as a thermal PCB, is a printed circuit board that has a metal core layer instead of the traditional FR-4 (fiberglass) material. The metal core layer helps to dissipate heat more efficiently, making it suitable for high-power LED lighting, power electronics, and other applications that require effective heat dissipation.
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