Glass Transition Temperature: Tg is the abbreviation of "Glass transition Temperature". It is not the melting point of the material, but rather the critical temperature point at which a resin substrate (such as epoxy resin) transforms from a hard "glassy state" to a soft and elastic "rubber-like state". Below this temperature, the material maintains dimensional stability and mechanical strength. Above this temperature, the material begins to soften and its mechanical and electrical properties decline sharply.
High Tg PCB: Generally, PCB substrates with a Tg value of ≥ 150°C are defined as high Tg materials. The Tg of a conventional FR-4 is generally around 130-140℃.
It can withstand the high temperature of lead-free welding (usually over 260℃), and the underlayment structure remains stable in high-temperature environments without problems such as delamination or deformation. For instance, in the soldering process, ordinary PCBS may soften and fail due to high temperatures, while high Tg PCBS can pass the 288℃ tin furnace test without any issues such as board explosion or copper foil peeling.
The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is lower than that of conventional plates, which can reduce warping caused by temperature changes and prevent the copper layer at the through holes from cracking. This feature is particularly crucial in multi-layer boards of 8 layers or more, ensuring the reliability of the connection of the plated through holes.
Most high Tg plates have a low dielectric constant (such as 3.5±0.05@1GHz for some high-end models) and low dielectric loss (as low as 0.002), which can reduce high-frequency signal attenuation and crosstalk, and are suitable for high-speed signal transmission. At the same time, it has strong chemical resistance. Its performance remains intact even after wet treatment and immersion in chemical solutions. It can also withstand humid environments and is suitable for complex working conditions.
The boards of high Tg PCBS are mostly high-performance resin substrates. The Tg values of different materials vary greatly, adapting to the requirements of different scenarios. The common types are as follows:
| Material | TG Value |
|---|---|
| Rogers RO4350B | 280℃ |
| Rogers RO4003C | 280℃ |
| Alon 85N | 250℃ |
| Isola FR408HR | 180℃ |
| Weichuang6 | 185℃ |
The BMS system of new energy vehicles, the ECU in the engine compartment, etc., tend to generate a large amount of heat during operation. High Tg PCBS can operate stably in this high-temperature environment, ensuring driving safety.
5G base station antennas, optical modules, as well as servers, switches and other equipment have extremely high requirements for high-frequency signal transmission. The low loss characteristic of high Tg boards can ensure signal integrity and improve data transmission efficiency.
Equipment such as satellite communication boards and polar environment radar control boards need to withstand extreme temperature differences ranging from -40 ℃ to 125℃. PCBS using substrates like TG180 can enhance thermal cycling tolerance and reduce failure rates.
Ultrasound imaging devices, high-temperature disinfected related medical equipment, rely on the stability of high Tg PCBS under high-temperature and long-term operation to avoid the impact of equipment failure on diagnosis and treatment.
By using a precise temperature-pressure curve in combination with vacuum lamination technology, the board is bonded at a high temperature of around 180℃ and under a specific pressure to eliminate air bubbles, enhance Z-axis stability, and ensure the bonding strength between layers.
Laser drilling technology is widely used, with a hole diameter accuracy of ±25μm, suitable for micro-hole interconnection of multi-layer HDI boards. At the same time, impedance must be strictly controlled, with tolerances usually kept within ±5% to ensure high-speed signal transmission.
To prevent oxidation on the surface of high Tg plates, surface treatment methods such as tin plating and nickel-gold plating are preferred. In addition, a large solder mask window should be opened in the pad area to enhance the adhesion between the solder and the copper layer.
Tg stands for Glass Transition Temperature. It marks the temperature boundary at which the base material shifts from a rigid, glassy state to a deformable, rubber-like structure, directly impacting mechanical stability.
Standard FR-4 typically features a Tg threshold between 130°C and 140°C, whereas High Tg substrates offer thermal resistance starting from 150°C and extending above 180°C, providing superior durability under high thermal loads.
Lead-free assembly typically requires processing temperatures exceeding 260°C. Standard boards can suffer from board explosion, delamination, or warpage, whereas High Tg PCBs reliably endure these rigorous conditions.
High Tg boards have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), especially along the Z-axis, which protects plated through-holes (PTH) from fracturing under heat in boards with 8 or more layers.
Key industries include automotive systems (BMS and ECUs), 5G telecommunications, aerospace and military applications, high-performance computing centers, and medical diagnostic equipment.