Different Types of PCBs

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PCBsIf you open up any device in your house whether it’s the computer, the phone or even a complex toy, you are sure to find a printed circuit board (PCB) inside. And though some of them might look similar, they hardly ever are. There are probably as many types of PCBs as the devices they are used in. Here is a list that contains some of the types of PCBs you might have heard of and some that you might not have.

Rigid PCBs

  • Single Side Rigid PCBs

Single sided PCBs are probably the simplest, the least complex, and the cheapest printed circuit boards available. They are used in devices that require low complexity. What makes the single sided circuit board so simple and easy to manufacture is that it only has a single layer of copper on a rigid base material. Later on in the manufacturing process, indents and solder resists could be added, as per the requirement of the application. The single sided PCBs can be used with both surface mount components and through hole.

  • Double Sided Rigid PCBs

Whereas single sided PCBs are regarded as the simplest to manufacture, the double sided PCBs are the most commonly used. This is because both sides of the PCB are used to attach components and parts. This type of PCB consists of two copper layers on a rigid base material; however, both copper layers are not connected. Platted through holes of the double sided PCBs have two copper layers. Just like single sided PCB, the indents and solder resists could be also be added afterwards and these type of PCBs can be used with both surface mount components and through hole.

  • Multi Layer Rigid PCBs

Multi layer PCBs are boards that have more than three copper layers separated by insulations. The multi layered PCBs are created by layering double sided PCBs (also called inner layers) together, and securing them through the bonding process that requires specialized glue. This is done until the required number is achieved and the board is made complete. Commonly, the multi layered PCBs consist of 4, 6, 8, or 10 layers. Up till now, the maximum number of layers that have been for a multilayered PCB is fifty. But there are certain prerequisites for the manufacturing of these boards and they are only made for very complex devices.

Flexible PCBs

  • Single Sided Flexible PCBs

Just like their rigid counterpart, the single sided flexible PCBs are the simplest – not so complex – and cheapest to manufacture. This type of PCB consists of a solitary conductor layer on top of a flexible dielectric film. With singles sided flexible PCBs, you have the option of a semi flexible LPI (Liquid Photo Imagable) solder resist or a coverlay. To make some parts of this PCB slightly rigid, additional stiffeners are used.

  • Double Sided Flexible PCBs

Double sided flexible circuits have two copper layers. Both layers consist of dielectric layer between them. This type of PCB also gives you the option of a semi flexible LPI (Liquid Photo Imagable) solder resist or a coverlay, but is normally connected with plated through holes. And just like its single sided counterpart, some part of this PCB can also be made more rigid with the use of additional stiffeners.

  • Multi Layer Flexible PCBs

Multilayer flexible PCBs consist of three or more copper layers.  All copper layers have a dielectric layer in between them and are usually connected through plated through holes. But just like all other flexible PCBs, you have the option of semi flexible LPI (Liquid Photo Imagable) solder resist or a coverlay and parts of it can be made more rigid with stiffeners.

Flexi-Rigid PCBs

The flexi-rigid PCBs are manufactured by permanently combining parts of a rigid and flexible board together. This type of PCB is used for limited space conditions.

Super PCB is the leading manufacturer of both rigid and flexible PCBs. Through us, you can avail custom printed circuit boards and PCB prototypes. To get a PCB quote, contact us at your earliest convenience.