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PCB core and its types:

A PCB's core is a robust foundation material with copper bonded on one or both sides. A CORE is used
to make single-sided and double-sided boards, as well as multilayer PCBs. 0.005", 0.008", 0.014", 0.021,
0.028", and 0.039" are the most frequent core thicknesses utilised in the manufacture of 0.062" thick
multilayers. 0.047" is also reasonably prevalent in stock because it is commonly used to construct 2-layer
boards. The 0.059" core will always be available because it is utilised to make 0.062" thick 2-layer
boards, but it will only be used in thicker multilayers, such as 0.093".

The Difference between PCB Core vs. Prepreg

PCB cores and laminates are both identical and distinct in certain respects. The core is made up of one
or more prepreg laminates that have been pressed, hardened, and cured with heat, as well as copper foil
coated on both sides. A resin is infused into the prepreg material, which is then toughened but not cured.
When two cores are layered on each side of a prepreg laminate, the resin begins to attach to the
neighbouring layers when the stack is exposed to heat. Through crosslinking, the hardened resin slowly
cures, and its material properties begin to resemble those of the core layers.

The glass weave is encased in resin, and the manufacturing procedure for this glass weave is quite
similar to that for yarns. The glass weave can be very tight (e.g., 7628 prepreg) or very loose (e.g., 1080
prepreg), and it's all adjusted with a loom throughout production. The electromagnetic properties of the
yarn are determined by any gaps and the overall homogeneity of the yarn, which are then responsible for
dispersion, losses, and any fibre weave effects seen by signals on the board.

Figure 1: FR4 PCB core/prepreg weaves and their properties

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The dielectric constants of PCB core and prepreg materials can differ based on the resin content, kind of
resin, and glass weave. Because the effective dielectric constant observed by a signal on a track is
dependent on the dielectric constants of the surrounding materials, this can be a difficulty for designing
boards that require highly exact impedance matching. Not all prepreg and core materials are compatible,
and core/prepreg stacks with vastly differing dielectric values make predicting accurate dielectric
constants and losses in a connection problematic.
At high voltage, creepage and leakage current are an issue with any PCB core or prepreg material. One
reason for creepage specifications for FR4 materials is copper electromigration and consequent
formation of conductive filaments. Switching to non-dicyandiamide (non-DICY) resins in FR4 cores
and laminates was motivated by this challenge, as well as a desire to raise glass transition and
decomposition temperatures. In comparison to DICY resins, phenolic resins have higher breakdown and
glass transition temperatures, as well as stronger insulating resistance after full curing.

Metal Core PCB and its types:

A Metal Core Printed Circuit Board (MCPCB), also known as a thermal PCB or metal backed PCB, is a
form of PCB in which the heat spreader section of the board is made of metal. One side of the PCB is
covered by a thick metal (usually always aluminium or copper). Metal core can refer to the metal, which
can be found in the middle or on the back of the board. The core of an MCPCB's goal is to transfer heat
away from vital board components and into less important parts like the metal heatsink backing or
metallic core. In the MCPCB, base metals are employed instead of FR4 or CEM3 boards.

Metal Core PCB types:

The main types of this board are explained here:
o Single Layer Metal Core PCB
 One layer of dielectric sheet copper conductor and metallic sheet at the base are
employed in the building of this PCB board.
 The initial function of the dielectric utilised in this board is to allow heat transfer
between the various parts on the board, thereby protecting the system from
electric shocks.
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o COB Metal Core PCB
 Chip-on-board PCB is the complete form of COB. In comparison to other
boards, this one employs a unique method.
 This board makes use of a microprocessor to ensure proper heat
dissipation. The use of metal creates a physical link between the
conducting layer and the base. As a result, no dielectric substance is used
in this board.

o Double-Sided Metal Core

 Two sheets of copper material are utilised in this board. These two sheets are
attached to a single metallic component.
 It required an additional posture to allow assembly between the board's layers.

o Multiple Layer Metal Core PCB

 This board contains more than two sheets of copper material. The construction of
this board becomes more complicated as the number of layers is increased.
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References:

What is the core of a PCB? - Technical Terms by Eurocircuits. (2020, June 8). Eurocircuits;
www.eurocircuits.com. https://www.eurocircuits.com/core-core-or-rigid-copper-laminated-base-
material/

What is the core of a PCB? - Technical Terms by Eurocircuits. (2020, June 8). Eurocircuits;
www.eurocircuits.com. https://www.eurocircuits.com/core-core-or-rigid-copper-laminated-base-
material/

PCB Core vs. Prepreg Materials: What Designers Need to Know | PCB Design Blog | Altium. (2020,
January 17). Altium; resources.altium.com. https://resources.altium.com/p/pcb-core-vs-prepreg-
material-what-designers-need-to-know

Difference between PCB Core and Prepreg Materials - Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing & PCB
Assembly - RayMing. (2021, June 7). Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing & PCB Assembly -
RayMing; www.raypcb.com. https://www.raypcb.com/prepreg-pcb/

Metal Core PCB | MCPCB | Copper & Aluminum Core Boards. (n.d.). Metal Core PCB | MCPCB |
Copper & Aluminum Core Boards; www.sfcircuits.com. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from
https://www.sfcircuits.com/pcb-production-capabilities/metal-core-pcb

Henry, B., & http://www.theengineeringknowledge.com. (2021, May 12). What is Metal Core PCB,
Construction, Types & Applications - The Engineering Knowledge. The Engineering Knowledge;
www.theengineeringknowledge.com. https://www.theengineeringknowledge.com/what-is-metal-core-
pcb-construction-types-applications/