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Solderable Flexible 1 and 2-Sided Copper Laminate Flexible Circuit Substrate Materials

AIT patented (US patent#7,154,046; 6,717,819; 6,580,035; 6,581,276; 6,108,210; 6,297,564; 6,665,193; 6,973,716) molecularly flexible dielectric laminate with copper (COUPLERTM) as flexible circuit material differs from traditional polyimide copper laminates for flexible circuit applications in two fundamental aspects to give them the unparalleled reliability performance with cost effectiveness:

◊     Instead of high Tg polyimide or liquid crystal polymer (LCP) substrate materials that requires either the use of acrylic  
       adhesives or costly evaporated metal deposition, its uses AIT proprietary molecularly flexible dielectric to produce stress-free 

       and solderable flexible substrate material for flexible circuits and component interposers.

◊     Unparalleled high temperature stability to withstand soldering at 300°C when used as flexible circuit material.

◊     Multi-layer capability with the same flexible dielectric copper clad pre-preg flexible circuit material that can be laminated at low pressure of less than 14 psi and 125°C or higher.

◊    Thinner COUPLERTM flexible circuit substrate and pre-preg flexible circuit material are available in rolls of 24-inch width.

◊    Thicker COUPLERTM flexible circuit substrate and flexible circuit pre-preg material are available in sheets of 24-inch by 24-inch. 

◊    Ideal for higher costs polyimide-copper laminate flexible circuit material replacement with increase in circuit speed and reliability. 

 
 
FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT SUBSTRATE Material COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
 
Property
Polyimide (PI)
LCP
PET
COUPLER™-C
(PET & PI Replacement)
COUPLER™-CPI
(PI-Adhesive Replacement)
Tensile Strength
(kpsi)
40-50
15
30
5
50
Elongation
(%)
40-60
16
50
200
60
Young’s Modulus
(kpsi)
800
700
500
Elastomeric
(20)
800
Tear Strength
(gm)
18-26
15
>20
Elastomeric
(5)
26
Peel Strength (lb/in)
3-4
 
8
8
8
Heat Shrinkage (@200°C, %)
0.04-0.08
0.04
“Melted”
Average <0.1
Elastomeric
0.04
CTE
(ppm/°C)
13-14
18
60
Elastomeric
15
Moisture Absorption (%)
1.0-2.4
0.1
0.5
0.2
0.2 on circuit side
Dielectric Constant
3.1-3.3
3.0
3.3
3.0
3.0 on circuit side
Dielectric Loss
 
0.005
0.003
0.01
0.01
0.01 on circuit side
Dielectric Strength (kV/mil)
5.7-6.0
5.9
0.8
0.8
6.0 (overall)
Thermal Stress and Solderability
>600 sec @ 288°C
Marginal
NA
>600 sec @ 288°C
>600 sec @ 288°C
Thermal Stress and Solderability
>600 sec @ 300°C
NA
NA
>600 sec @ 300°C
>600 sec @ 300°C
Subtractive and Additive Process Applicability
Yes
Yes
NA
Yes
Yes
 
Additional Notes:
1.       Some data is extracted from Advanced Packaging March 2002
2.       Polyimide (PI) and LCP substrates are seeded and plated-up with copper layer. PI with acrylic adhesive has lower performance.
3.       Data for Polyester (PET) are typical values. Since PET substrate is not solderable, it can only be used for Polymer Thick Film applications only.
4.       COUPLER™-C is a laminate of standard electronic copper film with COUPLER™ substrate without adhesive.
5.       COUPER™-CPI is a laminate of standard electronic copper film with COUPLER™ substrate on Polyimide core.
6.       Typical thickness for COUPLER-C and COUPLER™-CPI are 3-mil COUPLER™ substrate and 2-mil COUPLER™ substrate on 1 mil PI.
7.       COUPLER™-C and COUPLER™-CPI are available with either single side or both side copper films (@1/4, 1/2 oz or 1 oz, other thickness is available on special order).
8.       “PRE-PREG” COUPLER™-CPI is available for multi-layer applications.
 

  

Single-Sided Copper-Clad Laminate Flexible Circuit Material Substrates  

AIT Product
Characteristics
Copper Thickness
(oz)
Thermal 
Resistance
(oC/W-in2)
Nominal Stack Thickness
(mils)
Dielectric
Strength of Insulating Layer
(Volt/mil)
Dielectric Constant of Insulating Layer  

COUPLERTM
CC-CU-SS-1.00

-Flexible Dielectric
-Copper Laminate
-Ease of Machining
-Withstand 300oC soldering

1.0

<1.5

88 

>1000

3.1

COUPLERTM
CC-CU-SS-0.50

-Flexible Dielectric
-Copper Laminate
-Ease of Machining
-Withstand 300oC soldering

0.5

<1.5

75 

>1000

3.1

COUPLERTM
CC-CU-SS-0.25

-Flexible Dielectric
-Copper Laminate
-Ease of Machining
-Withstand 300oC soldering

0.25

<1.5

60 

>1000

3.1

COUPLERTM
CC-CU-SS-X

-Flexible Dielectric
-Copper Laminate
-Ease of Machining
-Withstand 300oC soldering

Custom

<1.5

Custom

>1000

3.1

 
Double-Sided Copper Laminates Flexible Circuit Mateirals for Flexible Circuits, Interposers, and Modules
 
AIT Produt
Characteristics
Copper Thickness
(oz)
Thermal 
Resistance
(oC/W-in2)
Nominal Stack Thickness
(mils)
Dielectric
Strength of Insulating Layer
(Volt/mil)
Dielectric Constant of Insulating Layer  
COUPLERTM
CC-CU-DS-
(0.25/0.25)
-Flexible thermal dielectric
-Copper Base Plate 
-Ease of Machining
-Withstand 300oC soldering

0.25/0.25

<1.1

66 

>1000

3.1

COUPLERTM
CC-CU-DS-
(0.50/0.50)
-Flexible thermal dielectric
-Copper Base Plate 
-Ease of Machining
-Withstand 300oC soldering

0.50/0.50

<1.1

88 

>1000

3.1

COUPLERTM
CC-CU-DS-
(1.0/1.0)
-Flexible thermal dielectric
-Copper Base Plate 
-Ease of Machining
-Withstand 300oC soldering

1.0/1.0

<1.1

125 

>1000

3.1

COUPLERTM
CC-CU-DS-
(1.0/X)
-Flexible thermal dielectric
-Copper Base Plate
-Ease of Machining
-Withstand 300oC soldering

Custom

<1.1

Custom

>1000

3.1

 

 

Flexible Pre-Preg Flexible Circuit Material for Multi-layer Flexible Circuits and Interposers

 

18/01/2012 03:50

EPAK
Latest  News:
 

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Lighter, brighter, cleaner and quieter.

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We had an unusual request for blasting the back of flex circuits to improve the laser solderability of the parts. The backing was too reflective and meant that the laser welds were not always consistent. A custom machine was built to create a uniform area over the back of the area that is soldered. This means that the area would not reflect the laser and improve the efficiency of the weld.

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SA150 Video of our Surface Abrader added to our YouTube channel

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03.08.2010

Comco Celebrate 45th Year Anniversary

Started in 1965 Comco Inc have been in business selling microblasters for 45 years. Epak Electronics Ltd have been Comco's UK representative since 1970 - and have built up a wealth of information and experience in micro abrasive blasting over the last 40 years.

21.07.2010

RPS ANTHEM lead dipping, twin solder bath solderability system now shipping. With dynamic solder bath or wave nozzles, single or double static or dynamic flux baths and available with optional rotary head for QFP packages. Epak have already shipped and installed the first Anthem in the UK.

   

 

09.07.2010

NEW UV-C Intensity Labels Available. Now a label is available specifically to target UV-C intensity measurement. Available now.

MORE DETAILS

09.03.2010 

Read Our Technical Article on Micro-Abrasive Applications in Micromachining in the latest Commercial Micro Manufacturing Magazine.

21.10.09 Epak Custom Large Fossil Blast Cleaning Cabinet

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Our latest custom project to build a larger scale Wafer beveller based around the Comco BV8003 has been delivered and installed.

Designed to take from 30mm to 150mm (6") wafers. 

       27.10.08       SPT RTR-D2/D3 series  Special Pickup Tips for thin or fragile components
14.10.08 Safe-T-Stain : We are able to source all the Safe-T-Stains again in 8oz bottles. 
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