Metal Backed Copper Printed Circuit Boards

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Superior Heat Transfer with Metal Backed Copper Boards

Metal backed copper boards have a base layer made of a metal substrate. This substrate is bonded to the circuit and dielectric layers of a board. We use aluminum oxide epoxy, this gives superior heat transfer than prepreg style which is used in a conventional process.

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Advantages of Metal-Backed Copper Boards

Metal core and metal-backed copper boards and PCBs offer benefits beyond traditional circuit boards. Copper provides robust performance improvements, such as higher thermal conductivity, better durability, environmentally friendly solutions, and more.

Copper has the highest level of thermal conductivity, with better heat transfer and dissipation. When copper boards are metal-backed, they can be placed in high-temperature environments where other PCBs would not withstand the heat. Metal-backed copper boards can redirect the heat away from critical circuits, preventing performance issues.

Because copper is recyclable, it’s an environmentally friendly material with drastically reduced waste. Copper core and metal-backed PCBs are less likely to corrode or distort over time, making them the clear option over fiberglass or ceramic boards. They can withstand the manufacturing process better, resulting in reduced breaks and less damage during development.

With a backing of aluminum oxide epoxy, these boards have superior heat transfer ability, making them better suited for electric drives, automotive electronics, LEDs, and other high heat transfer designs. Candor metal-backed boards ensure that your design is getting the heat levels required for superior-quality products.

Applications of Metal Backed Copper Boards

Because of its high thermal conductivity and superior heat dissipation, copper core and metal-backed PCBs are ideal for high-power applications, such as street lights and power supplies. When working with high-temperature products, Candor ensures that your PCB survives severe conditions without damage to critical components by designing boards that offer the best thermal conductivity possible.

Metal core and metal-backed PCBs have significant application advantages, such as:

Interior lighting, lanterns, and street lights
Headlights and power controllers
High-frequency amplifiers and appliances
CPU boards and power devices
Bridges, converters, and solid-state relays
Operating room tools, surgical lighting, and high-powered scanning technologies

Our Solutions for Metal Backed Copper Boards

Candor is the leading supplier of PCBs, copper circuit boards, and other advanced circuit technology. It is important to us that we meet or exceed your expectations and design every board to your strict specifications. If your product requires circuit boards with specific heat tolerances, we can handle any build requirements to deliver the best possible PCB.

Candor provides comprehensive, customized solutions for metal-backed copper boards. There are serious advantages to high thermal conductivity, and specially designed copper core PCBs might be exactly what your device or product needs. By working with the Candor engineering team, you can ensure that your project parameters are met. We run comprehensive design checks, perform exhaustive testing, and provide unparalleled solutions for ease of manufacturability and quick turnaround and delivery. Paired with our environmentally friendly solutions, Candor can ensure the cost-effectiveness, compliance, safety, and optimization you’ve come to expect.

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We’ve worked with Candor for over twenty years, and continue to be happy working with them. They are our first choice for PCB’s and provide a reliable and quality product. Candor has helped us create a number of special boards for our products with environmental issues such as dielectric, thermal and humidity requirements. They always provide on time service and good feedback whenever questions are raised. Candor always adapts to our needs and requirements making it easy to work with them.

Dana L.,

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I have been using Candor for over a decade and there are always there for customers. The customer service and engineering group it up there with the TOP GUNS. If the customers have any issues Candor is there for you to make it right. The board quality and manufacturability ability is top notch and have solutions to your needs.

T.O.,

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is copper used in PCBs?

Copper is integral to all Printed Circuit Board designs—it has extraordinary electrical and thermal characteristics, signal transmission, and heat dissipation.

Copper transfers heat across the board, decreases damage caused by irregular heating, and is used as a heat sink layer to reduce manufacturing costs. It’s also used as a plating in PCBs to increase the conductor and surface pad thickness.

What Role Does PCB Copper Balance Play in PCB Fabrication?

Copper balance provides many benefits, such as reducing board warpage, ensuring uniform plating across layers, and creating consistent conductor thickness on all plated surfaces. This improves signal transmission and overall circuit performance, plus copper balance results in a more balanced board during lamination.

What is copper base PCB?

Copper-based PCB has great thermal conductivity that is superior to aluminum and iron-based PCBs. Copper-base PCB applies high-frequency circuit design to areas that might be affected by consistent changes in temperature. It also improves communication and architectural design in boards.

What is the metal core of a PCB?

The metal core of a PCB can be copper, aluminum, iron, and other metals, and works to spread heat throughout the board and make it more stable in various environments. It can also be called a thermal or metal-backed PCB.

What is copper clad in PCB?

Copper-clad laminate, or CCL, is a PCB base material. Copper-clad boards are a type of lamination where copper is on one or both sides of the board. By laminating copper foil onto the board with resin and glass fabric sheets, small, light, thin, and multi-functional boards can be created for products such as televisions, cell phones, and computers.

How long have you been in business?

Twenty-five years! We opened our doors in 1999 to fill a gap in the industry. Candor’s president, Yogen Patel, observed many of the limitations in PCB manufacturing at the time—he and the team invented brand-new technologies that have streamlined the PCB process we utilize today.

How can you manufacture PCBs at such a low price?

We don’t waste time or energy. Our PCB manufacturing processes are the most efficient in the industry, and our rapid turnaround time means we can produce new PCBs without delays. This means saving money for the customer, with quick shipping that makes everyone happy and keeps our production schedule full.

What if I am not satisfied with your PCBs and service?

Pleasing our customers is our number one priority, and we have a 99% success rate for on-time shipping results. If you notice a defect or issue, or you aren’t pleased with our customer service, we will work with you until you are completely satisfied.

Do you have cancellation fees?

It depends on the status of your order. If we’ve already started production there might be a cancellation fee—you should contact your salesperson or customer service as soon as possible if you want to confirm a cancellation.

How can I get a quote?

Please request a quote online to recieve a prompt response from our customer service team. Provide detailed information and we’ll compile a free quote and get back to you as soon as possible.

Can I track the status and shipping of my order?

Quick turnaround times are one of the major facets of our business. Candor prints most prototypes in 24 hours or less—more complex designs only take up to 3 days. After a ten-day production period, we ship the PCBs directly to your address. We provide you with consistent information that allows you to track your order, including a tracking number to check your order status.

Can I change my shipping method or address?

Please contact customer service immediately if you need to change your address. We don’t want to ship your products to the wrong location—feel free to change the shipping method after placing an order if you update before production finishes and we prepare your package. Contact customer service immediately to correct shipping information.

What if the courier company fails to deliver my PCBs as scheduled?

Candor strives to be as quick and efficient as possible with your orders, and that means a speedy turnaround time and delivery. Courier companies sometimes experience delays, and sadly we cannot guarantee on-time delivery once a courier has your package.

What are your capabilities in PCB fabrication?

Rigid, rigid-flex, and flex PCBs share the same design limits, meaning you can mix/match specifications to get exactly what you need. Speak with a customer service representative or salesperson to see other capabilities and ensure your desired product meets your standards.

Do you offer RoHS-compliant assemblies?

We are proud to say that we are fully RoHS-compliant and environmentally friendly. Candor strives to reduce waste and be as green as possible. We follow the Restriction of Hazardous Substances guidelines to eliminate toxic chemicals in our products and throughout the manufacturing process.

Do you offer testing and inspection services?

Understandably, many customers want to be hands-on with their orders. This is why Candor offers approval in pre-production, plus our quality control department verifies the status of all products. Speak with customer service to learn more about testing, inspection, and quality control of your PCB.

What standards and certifications do you follow?

High standards are very important to us. Candor pledges to provide customers with the highest-quality PCBs possible while also protecting the environment. We boast professional standards and certifications such as ISO 9001:2015, CGRP, and IPC.

What is a turnkey order?

A “turnkey order” is when you send us documentation and files regarding your PCB, and we build the order to your specifications. We manage the turnkey assembly for you, taking the complications from your hands and picking the assembler. We use local assembly partners, and as the customer, you can allow us to handle everything and deliver a quality product.

Can I send you some components for assembly orders?

Yes! Customers can send us components directly, for inclusion in Candor’s PCB manufacturing. Contact customer service before you ship them—they will help you with shipping information and part numbers.

Can you ensure the quality of the parts you use?

Candor uses only the highest-quality materials in our PCB manufacturing process. We maintain relationships with reputable suppliers to ensure constant access to world-class parts at the best prices. Our quality control department checks products and oversees development before pre-production.

What files and documents do you request for my PCBA orders?

Please include these files when placing a PCBA order:

Gerber files of the top and bottom silkscreen and solder paste layers
Centroid data of rotations and component locations
Bill of materials as an Excel file with vendor names, quantities, and part descriptions
Types of components, such as BGA, fine pitch, thru-hole, or SMT
Any additional information needed for your order

Can you source some parts for my assembly?

Our orders are partial turnkey projects because you can send in supplies for assembly and we’ll acquire the rest. With every part we source, we check in so that you can approve the steps in the process. We ask you to submit final approval before beginning your project’s production.

How do you handle the excessive and unused parts?

We are an environmentally friendly company, meaning we will never use formaldehyde, EDTA, ammonia-based processes, or other chemical byproducts during manufacturing. We strive to use all parts in our builds and reduce waste. We can return any unused items to you, or hold them for your next order.

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Copper Core PCBs