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What is Rogers RT Duroid 5870 Laminate for PCB ?

Introduction

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) provide the foundation for mounting and
interconnecting electronic components using conductive copper traces on an
insulating base material. The properties of this insulating laminate substrate are
critical in determining the performance limits of the PCB. Rogers RT/Duroid 5870 is
a specialized microwave laminate designed for high frequency applications
demanding tight electrical tolerances.

This article provides an in-depth look at Rogers 5870 covering its characteristics,
properties, applications and usage considerations for PCB designers.

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What is Rogers RT/duroid 5870?

Rogers RT/duroid 5870 is a glass microfiber reinforced fluoropolymer composite

laminate material tailored for exacting radio frequency (RF) and microwave circuit
designs. Some key features include:

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 Extremely tight dielectric constant tolerance of ±0.40%

 Low dissipation factor (loss tangent) of 0.0019
 Z-axis coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 16.5 ppm/°C
 Thermoset polymer system requiring no fusion during lamination
 Woven E-glass reinforcement for dimensional stability
 Halogen-free material for reduced environmental impact
 RoHS compliant and UL 94V-0 rated

These electrical and mechanical characteristics make 5870 well-suited for demanding
high frequency applications up to mmWave bands.

Dielectric Properties

Rogers 5870 possesses very stable dielectric properties across a wide frequency range
along with low loss, which are desirable traits for microwave PCBs:

Dielectric Constant (Dk)

 Dk of 2.33 ±0.0040 at 10 GHz

 Nearly constant Dk over 1-40 GHz
 Extremely tight tolerance of ±0.40%

Loss Tangent (Df)

 Low loss tangent of 0.0019 at 10 GHz

 Df less than 0.002 up to 20 GHz
 Enables higher Q factors for RF circuits

Temperature Coefficient

 Dielectric constant variation of -17 ppm/°C

 Excellent thermal stability of electrical properties

These attributes allow achieving target impedances accurately during RF circuit

design and simulations using 5870 material.

Mechanical Properties

In addition to electrical performance, Rogers 5870 also possesses good mechanical

characteristics:

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Density

 Uniform density of 1.79 g/cm3

 Provides good thickness consistency

Glass Transition Temperature

 High Tg of 280°C

Decomposition Temperature

 Extremely high 405°C decomposition point

Moisture Absorption

 Low moisture absorption of 0.02% (immersion, 24 hours)

Z-axis CTE

 16.5 ppm/°C coefficient of thermal expansion

The woven glass reinforcement results in lower Z-axis CTE for reliability under
temperature changes. The high Tg and decomposition temperature
enable soldering steps required in PCB fabrication.

Available Thicknesses

Rogers 5870 laminate can be obtained in a range of standard thicknesses from as low
as 0.127mm to as high as 6.35mm.

Some commonly used thicknesses include:

 0.127 mm (5 mils)
 0.2 mm (8 mils)
 0.25 mm (10 mils)
 0.5 mm (20 mils)
 1.0 mm (40 mils)

The thin flexible laminates are useful for flex PCB applications, while thicker sheets
provide rigidity and dimensional stability required in rigid boards.

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Common Designations

Rogers 5870 material is available under variants like:

 RT/duroid 5870
 RT/duroid 5870LM
 RT/duroid 6002
 RO4003C

Where:

 RT/duroid is the Rogers brand name

 5870 denotes the dielectric constant value
 LM signifies low moisture absorption version

These all refer to the same base microwave laminate with minor modifications. The
differing nomenclatures indicate process variations or compliance levels.

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Lead-Free Compatibility

Rogers 5870 laminate is compatible with lead-free fabrication which is mandatory for
RoHS compliance:

 Glass transition temperature exceeds Pb-free soldering temperatures

 Withstands multiple reflow cycles with peak temperatures up to 280°C
 Near zero Z-axis CTE minimizes stresses from temperature excursions

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 Low moisture absorption reduces risk of delamination or blistering

PCBs made using 5870 can be reliably assembled using standard lead-free soldering
processes.

Typical Applications

Rogers 5870 is used in demanding RF and high speed digital designs including:

 Satellite communication systems

 5G equipment – MIMO antennas, splitters
 Military and aerospace avionics
 Automotive driver assistance radar
 High speed data acquisition
 Low noise amplifiers and power amplifiers
 Broadband transformers
 Medical imaging
 Test and measurement equipment
 Microwave components

The tight and stable electrical tolerances provided by 5870 laminate are critical for
achieving optimized impedance control and signal integrity in such applications.

Benefits of Using Rogers 5870

Here are some of the key benefits offered by Rogers 5870 laminates for PCB
fabrication:

 Extremely consistent dielectric constant for impedance control

 Low loss tangent for high frequency and Q factor
 Tight thickness tolerance for etch consistency
 Excellent dimensional stability under temperature fluctuations
 High Tg and decomposition rating for lead-free assembly compatibility
 Reduced EMI/RFI interference due to woven glass reinforcement
 Halogen-free and RoHS compliant for environmental needs
 Cost effective compared to PTFE substrates
 Good availability due to widespread usage in RF industry

For designs requiring precision electrical performance under 10+ GHz along with
robust mechanical characteristics, Rogers 5870 provides an optimal microwave PCB
substrate solution.

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Design and Fabrication Guidelines

Here are some guidelines to follow when designing PCBs using Rogers 5870
material:

 Allow ±0.2mm thickness tolerance in layouts

 Use teardrop pads at junctions to reduce potential cracks
 Limit unsupported copper spans to under 0.25mm to prevent lifting
 Watch for acid entrapment under traces causing potential leakage
 Remove residues after wet processing steps
 Allow for 0.1% shrinkage during lamination stage
 Use two-stage lamination for boards over 3mm thick
 Select compatible FR4 and prepreg materials if designing
hybrid multilayer boards

Rogers provides detailed design manuals that cover additional fabrication and
assembly recommendations when working with their microwave laminates.

Comparing Rogers 5870 to Other Materials

Rogers 5870 has some advantages compared to other common PCB substrate
materials:

Parameter Rogers 5870 FR4 Polyimide PTFE

Dielectric Constant Stable Fair Good Excellent
Loss Tangent Excellent Fair Good Excellent
Lead-free Process Compatibility Good Good Fair Poor
Moisture Resistance Good Fair Excellent Excellent
Thermal Conductivity Fair Fair Poor Good
Cost Moderate Low High Very high
So Rogers 5870 provides a good balance of electrical, thermal, mechanical and cost
characteristics for optimal RF PCB performance.

Conclusion

Rogers RT/duroid 5870 is a specialized glass microfiber reinforced fluoropolymer

laminate engineered specifically to meet the tight tolerances and low loss required
in high frequency PCBs. It enables accurate impedance control and signal integrity up
to mmWave bands. The stable dielectric properties, lead-free soldering compatibility,
low moisture absorption and moderate cost make 5870 a popular choice for

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fabricating microwave circuits used in radar, communication, aerospace and other

demanding RF applications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Rogers 5880 PCB

Can Rogers 5870 be used for common FR4 processing?

Yes, Rogers 5870 can be processed using standard FR4 PCB fabrication methods. It is
compatible with typical PCB manufacturing processes involving etching, drilling,
plating, lamination etc.

Does Rogers 5870 require special handling or storage?

No special storage conditions are needed. It has an indefinite shelf life at room
temperature before lamination. Low moisture absorption also avoids special drying
requirements before processing.

Can I use 5870 with different dielectric constant materials in one

PCB?

Rogers 5870 can be combined with properly selected FR4 prepregs to produce hybrid
multilayer boards. But significant Dk mismatches could cause issues and is not
recommended.

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What is the typical copper thickness used with Rogers 5870?

1/2 oz to 3 oz copper foils are commonly used. 1 oz provides a good balance for
moderate thickness and current capacity for most RF designs. 2 oz may be preferred
for high power applications.

Is Rogers 5870 material expensive?

5870 is costlier than FR4 but less expensive than PTFE or ceramic substrates. The
tight tolerances and specialization for RF applications lead to higher cost than
standard glass epoxy PCB laminates.

Related Posts:

1. Where to Buy Rogers RT Duroid 5880 Laminate

2. What is Rogers RT Duroid 6002 for PCB

3. What is Rogers RT/Duroid 5880LZ Material?

4. What Everyone Ought to Know About Rogers RT/DUROID 6202PR

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