Detailed Explanation of The Difference Between Rogers 4350B and RO4003C

Rogers RO4350B and RO4003C are both high-performance high-frequency circuit board materials produced by Rogers Company. They each have unique characteristics and application advantages. Here are the main differences between the two materials:

Dielectric Constant (Dk):

RO4003C has a dielectric constant of 3.38 and a tolerance of ±0.05.

RO4350B has a dielectric constant of 3.48 and a tolerance of ±0.05.

Loss Tangent (Df):

The RO4003C has a loss tangent of 0.0027 at 10 GHz.

The RO4350B has a loss tangent of 0.0037 at 10 GHz.

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE):

RO4003C has a Z-axis thermal expansion coefficient of 46 ppm/°C.

RO4350B has a Z-axis thermal expansion coefficient of 32 ppm/°C.

Flammability Rating:

RO4003C material is not brominated and therefore cannot meet the UL 94V-0 flame retardant rating standard.

RO4350B uses flame retardant technology that complies with RoHS standards and can meet the requirements of UL 94V-0 flame retardant grade.

Processing Compatibility:

Both RO4003C and RO4350B are compatible with traditional PCB manufacturing technology and do not require special pre-treatment processes, such as plasma treatment of PTFE sheets.

Cost:

RO4003C may be less expensive than traditional microwave laminates because it uses standard epoxy/glass cloth processing.

Application:

Although both are suitable for high-performance RF applications, RO4350B may be more suitable for applications with special requirements for flame retardant performance due to its flame retardant properties.

Material Composition:

RO4003C is a proprietary glass cloth-reinforced, ceramic-filled hydrocarbon composite material that combines the electrical properties of PTFE/glass cloth with the processability of epoxy resin/glass cloth.

The specific material composition of RO4350B is not specified in the search results, but typically it is also a glass cloth reinforced ceramic/hydrocarbon laminate.

Environmental Impact:

Prolonged exposure to oxidizing environments may alter the dielectric properties of hydrocarbon-based materials, although this is very rare.

Standard Thickness and Dimensions:

Both are available in a variety of standard thicknesses and panel sizes to accommodate different design and manufacturing needs.

Design Specifications:

RO4003C is designed to have a dielectric constant of 3.55, while RO4350B is 3.66 (at Z-axis FSR/23°C).

Material Properties:

RO4350B is a laminate using RoHS compliant flame retardant technology for applications requiring flame retardant properties.

RO4003C does not have a UL 94 V-0 flame retardant rating and may be a more cost-effective option for applications that do not require flame retardant properties.

Electrical Properties:

The design specification dielectric constant (ε) of RO4003C is 3.55, while RO4350B is 3.66, which means that RO4003C can be designed to provide a slightly lower dielectric constant, helping to achieve more precise impedance control.

Loss Factor:

At a frequency of 10GHz, the loss factor (tan delta) of RO4003C is 0.0027, while that of RO4350B is 0.0037. This shows that RO4003C has lower signal loss during high-frequency transmission.

Heat Resistance:

Both have high glass transition temperatures (Tg), with RO4000 series materials having a Tg greater than 280°C, which helps maintain dimensional stability in thermal shock environments.

Environmentally Friendly Features:

RO4003C is a non-brominated material and may be a better choice for applications seeking environmentally friendly material solutions.

Application Areas:

Both are suitable for high-performance electronic applications, including global communications systems, high-reliability and complex multi-layer circuits, wireless communications equipment, and more.

Material Supply:

Rogers offers both materials in a variety of standard thicknesses and panel sizes to meet different design and manufacturing needs.

Processing and Design Guidelines:

Both materials can be processed using standard epoxy/glass (FR4) processes, but RO4003C may be more advantageous under certain environmental requirements due to its non-brominated nature.

Long Term Stability:

Because prolonged exposure to oxidizing environments may affect the dielectric properties of hydrocarbon-based materials, designers should evaluate the suitability of material and design combinations to determine their suitability throughout the product life cycle.

Environmental Adaptability:

Designers should consider the environmental conditions, including temperature changes, that the end product may encounter throughout its life cycle to ensure the long-term reliability of the selected materials.

RO4350B and RO4003C each have their own advantages. Which material to choose depends on specific application needs, cost considerations, processing technology and environmental protection requirements.