PCBs or printed circuit boards play an important role in all electronic equipment. Be it in the industry or at home, be it a small appliance or a large piece of equipment, the PCB is a crucial component. There are different types of PCBs found in the market because different types of PCBs have different functions. In this article, we will explore a special type of board, the black core PCB. Its versatility, the level of feasibility it provides, and its importance in many applications are good reasons it is worth studying in detail.
Black Core PCB Technology
Although black core PCBs possess features similar to other commonly available FR4 PCBs, their structure is different. As its name suggests, the black core PCB has a black thermoset resin that acts as its core between two layers of copper foil. The black core of the PCB helps in consistent heat dissipation for high-power generating electronic applications.
However, one must not confuse black core PCBs with black PCBs. The black PCB is a regular rigid FR4 board with a black solder mask rather than the common green one. With dark color, the board can have better light shielding properties.
Characteristics of Black Core PCBs
The special core directly impacts the board’s functioning. To avoid complications later down the line, designers must take into account these factors. Major factors include:
Material Compatibility
This is a special property that makes these boards important for applications that generate heat. The CTE or coefficient of thermal expansion of the black core is similar to that of copper, allowing the board to expand or contract in step with the copper traces.
Power Distribution
The thermal characteristic of the black core allows uniform power distribution, thereby preventing thermal hotspots.
Signal Transmission
The electrical characteristics of the black core are stable enough to allow consistent signal transmission unaffected by heat.
Effective Thermal Management
The good thermal conductivity of the black core ensures effective thermal management such that the PCB continues to operate within safe temperature limits.
Composition of Black Core PCBs
The black core is commonly made from phenolic resin or epoxy resin. It has very good insulation properties, high heat conductivity, and stability. While fabricating, the manufacturer applies a layer of copper foil to the black base material. The manufacturer forms the conducting circuits through a series of chemical treatment and electroplating processes. The final board has a deep appearance and a rigid texture while exhibiting good corrosion resistance along with excellent wear resistance.
Advantages of Black Core PCBs
Because of their special advantages over standard and traditional FR4 boards, black core PCBs are gaining substantial popularity in the electronics industry. The dielectric layer in these boards is made of special material as compared to the fiberglass epoxy material that other boards typically use. Black core PCBs offer significant advantages over regular boards, such as:
Excellent Heat Dissipation
Thanks to the high thermal conductivity of the substrate, black core PCBs are great heat dissipaters. This makes them suitable for applications dealing with high power and the production of high amounts of heat. Good tolerance to heat allows for better reliability and greater stability for the PCB.
Long-Lasting and Durable
Black core PCBs are generally highly reliable and sturdy, which makes them highly durable as well as long-lasting than regular boards. The overall structure is stronger so that even when the board receives high heat, the chances of crack development are lower. Thus, black core PCBs can outperform well under harsh conditions, where they are subjected to a negative environment.
Superior Signal Transmission Properties
The low dielectric constant of the black core allows it to exhibit superior transmission properties. The dielectric constant can change with temperature in regular boards and it affects signal transmission. Not so with black core PCBs. In addition to having a low value, the dielectric constant is highly stable with temperature. This feature allows the signal transmission to remain consistent despite the temperature rise.
Good Aesthetics
PCBs with a black core are stylish in comparison with regular boards. Black core PCBs can blend in with any other electronic application, thus enhancing their appearance. It gets even more appealing because by covering the PCB with a black solder mask, all copper traces are completely hidden. The overall effect is that the board blends in with the electronic components on it, establishing a completely different appearance for the PCB assembly.
Applications of Black Core PCBs
Black core PCBs have aesthetic appeal and functional benefits, and they can be applied in specialty applications. Examples of such applications include:
Automotive Electronics
The excellent thermal properties of effective heat dissipation of black core PCBs make them an optimum choice for use in automotive electronics. Such systems are used in vehicular infotainment systems, advanced driver assistance systems, and dashboard controls. The black of the boards adds to their aesthetic value and makes them look pretty alluring, along with the other vehicle’s interior designs.
Consumer Electronics
Black core PCBs are widely used in consumer electronic devices, courtesy of their visual appeal, and the addition of a black substrate simply adds a touch of elegance to the design. They find applications in wearable devices, tablets, smartphones as well as other high-end audio equipment.
Lighting Equipment
LED lighting equipment extensively use black core PCBs. These boards serve the lighting equipment in two ways. The high thermal conductivity makes for good heat dissipation at the LEDs. The black appearance of the substrate improves contrast, preventing light reflections and enhancing the overall effects of lighting. Aesthetics are important in most lighting applications, and they use black-core PCBs. Some of them include signage and decorative lighting features.
Gaming and Entertainment
Black core PCBs are heavily used on entertainment systems such as arcade machines and gaming consoles. Not only does the black exterior look and feel fashionable, but it is also a tad sophisticated. Adding black colour to the gaming equipment gives it a better look.
Why Use Black Core PCBs?
Apart from exhibiting a stylish appearance, black core PCBs offer several advantages. For instance, black color can shade light away from sensitive optical components, especially some types of sensors. Although a PCB with a black solder mask may offer a similar result, small amounts of light can pass through because of gaps in the mask. A black core, however, is completely non-transparent; it lets no light through. In applications that are sensitive to stray light, and cannot tolerate any amount of light interference, black core PCBs can ensure reliability and optimal performance.
FAQs
Q. Is black core PCB the same as black PCB?
A. No. A black PCB looks black because the manufacturer has applied a black solder mask on a regular yellow FR4 board. The black core PCB has a substrate that is entirely made of black material. It is black even without the application of any type of solder mask on it.
Q. Any advantages of using black core PCBs?
A. Two main advantages. The first is the aesthetic, black looks sleek, stylish, and unique. The second is functional, the black core being highly conductive thermally, helps to dissipate heat more effectively, thereby keeping the electronics cool.
Q. Any disadvantages of using black core PCBs?
A. Any imperfection of the board is hard to visually notice due to its black color.
Q. Is there any additional cost in using a black core PCB?
A. The cost of a black core PCB is comparable to any general PCB. However, it depends on the manufacturer, a some may charge more for the uncommon black color.
Q. Must I specify black core when ordering?
A. Sure, you need to specify if you want a black solder mask, black core PCB, or black solder mask over black core PCB.
