There are several benefits of the Bergquist thermal clad. These benefits include:
Increased performance and durability Bergquist PCB feature low thermal impedance which outperforms other insulators. This allows cooler operation. These thermal clad PCBs increase the level of durability. This is because the designs are simple and components are cool.
The thermal clad removes the thermal interface and uses thermal solder joints. This makes the assemblies cool. These thermal clad PCBs allow automated pick-and-place for SMD’s which minimize production costs.
Board size reduction and hardware replacement Bergquist thermal clad minimizes board space and replaces other components like heat sinks. It also helps to get rid of rubber or mica insulators under power devices. Heat transfer becomes better when it removes this hardware.
With the use of etched traces on the board, interconnects can be removed. This thermal clad helps to replace discrete devices at the board level.
Increased power density: The use of Bergquist PCBs allows more efficient electricity conduction. This means that these PCBs can conduct more efficient power.
Long term reliability In the PCB world, new materials often go through a thorough qualification program. After this program, these materials can be launched in the market. Bergquist Company features state-of-the-art test facilities. It ensures that all their materials go through extensive testing. This is to verify their electrical integrity. Bergquist makes use of strict development procedures.
This U-L-approved company has ISO 9001:2000 certified production facilities. Qualification testing includes temperature recycling, electrical and thermal stress. It also involves adhesion and mechanical property validation. Bergquist combines up-front qualification tests with audits. This helps to ensure the materials offer consistent performance. Electrical testing takes place at selected intervals.
Extends dies life: One great thing about Bergquist PCB is that it prolongs dies shelf life. These PCBs guarantee you the components’ life extension. This company ensures the fragile components are replaced. This is with more durable and stronger parts.
Bergquist Thermal Clad PCB Applications Bergquist thermal clad are useful in several applications. This is because of their thermal and mechanical properties.
Motor drives: Bergquist thermal clad are ideal for use in motor drive applications. These thermal clad are good dielectric material and feature high watt density. With these materials, you can fabricate and install form factors into motor drives. The compact motor drives on these thermal clad ensure high watt density. Bergquist PCBs are ideal for high-temperature applications.
Power Conversion: Bergquist thermal clad is a preferred choice for engineers. This is because of its watt-density and size. This material features various thermal performances and is highly reliable. You can utilize this thermal clad in most form factors. Engineers also fabricate it in various substrate metals and copper foil weights. Bergquist sil pad is another material useful in this application.
LEDs: Thermal clad has been useful in LED applications for a long time. It is without a doubt that this material features great thermal properties. It is an ideal solution for designers who are considering reliability and quality. Bergquist thermal clad can be used for special bends and shapes. This enables the designer to make use of LED light engines in any application.
Heat-rail and forming: Thermal clad has become popular in heat-rail and forming. The use of this material has increased. It is used in other applications like automotive. Fabricators can remove the dielectric and form the metal with three-dimensional substrate. This material provides surface mount assemblies. It also gives attachment abilities in heat rails and forming applications.
What Does a Thermal Clad Comprise of? This material is a dielectric metal base that features a bonded copper. Bergquist thermal clad consists of three different layers.
Dielectric layer: Bergquist thermal clad consists of a dielectric layer. This layer is at the middle of the clad and it ensures electrical isolation. Furthermore, this dielectric layer helps to minimize thermal resistance. This layer also provides electrical isolation. Any dielectric layer should be glass-free. This helps the thermal performance of the thermal clad.
This layer is the major element of Bergquist thermal clad. It bonds the circuit metal with the base metal together. Dielectric layers of a thermal clad sets the foundation. One great benefit of this layer is that it is U.L-certified.
Circuit layer: During the fabrication of a thermal clad, the circuit layer is the top layer. The circuit layer allows heat transfer and electric current conduction. For a thermal clad, there are various sizes of circuit layers. This size is between 0.5 oz and 10 oz. Furthermore, you can request a specific size that suits the intended application.
Base layer: The base layer is often made of aluminum. But, copper can also be used. The thickness of the material also varies. 1.57mm is the most common base material thickness. Designers are free to decide the thickness of this base layer. Ensure you select a base layer thickness that is ideal for your applications. Some applications don’t need base layer materials.
What to Consider When Choosing Dielectric Materials When choosing dielectric materials, you have to consider some factors. You will need to evaluate your options and consider the application requirements. We will be discussing the primary factors you should consider.
Thermal conductivity: This is an important factor you should not overlook. The Bergquist thermal clad’s thermal conductivity clad determines thermal performance. This is important especially when interfacial area and resistance are considered.
Thermal Impedance: This helps to determine the watt density of any application. This is because thermal impedance measures how temperature declines. This decline is checked across each watt’s stack-up. Lower thermal impedance indicates that more heat moves out of the components.
Dielectric layer type: It is no doubt that a dielectric layer is very important in a thermal clad. This dielectric layer helps to increase an application’s performance. This layer is a ceramic/polymer combination. It makes thermal clad have great properties of electrical isolation.
Polymers are great materials that can withstand high bond strengths and thermal aging. The ceramic filler helps to boost thermal conductivity. High-frequency applications need the best dielectric material.
Electric isolation: The thickness of dielectric material falls within a range. This is from 0.003 inches to 0.009 inches. Your isolation requirement will determine the thickness of your dielectrics. It is important you choose the right thickness for your dielectric material.
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