Fresh PCB Concepts: Key Considerations for Reliability, Performance, and Compliance in PCBs
Elementary Mr. Watson: Navigating RF—A Glide Path Approach to Design Success
Designers Notebook: Layer Stackup Planning for RF Circuit Boards
Book Excerpt: ‘Thermal Management: A Fabricator's Perspective,' Chapter 3
January 26, 2021 | Anaya Vardya, American Standard CircuitsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Chapter 3: Metal-Core Boards
Conceptually, a metal-core board is exactly like it sounds—the metal is in the middle of the PCB sandwiched between layers on both sides. Just about any PCBA that will contain active heat-generating components can benefit when designed on a metal-core PCB. On a conventional PCB, the standard FR-4 layers are relatively poor thermal conductors, and heat is normally dissipated from active components using vias and thermal pads, as discussed earlier. A metal core has much greater thermal conductivity, allowing it to easily dissipate heat away from active components. This prevents hot spots that can form in PCBs by dissipating heat evenly across the PCB and increasing performance and lifetime.
One example would be in the LED lighting industry, where LEDs produce a significant amount of energy and heat. A metal-core PCB has two benefits in this application: it provides some natural reflectivity for any light that travels toward the substrate, increasing the device brightness; and the other is extending the life of the product by quickly transferring heat away from the LEDs.
To download The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to…Thermal Management: A Fabricator’s Perspective, click here. You can also view other titles in our full library. Check out other books from American Standard Circuits, including The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to… Fundamentals of RF/Microwave PCBs and Flex and Rigid-Flex Fundamentals.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Kasuo Electronics Launches Advanced Testing Laboratory to Strengthen Global Supply Chain Quality Assurance
04/29/2025 | BUSINESS WIREKasuo Electronics Co., Ltd, a globally recognized trader of electronic components, has officially operationalized its state-of-the-art testing laboratory.
QuantumScape, Murata Announce Framework for Ceramics Collaboration
04/25/2025 | BUSINESS WIREQuantumScape Corporation, a global leader in next-generation solid-state lithium-metal battery technology, and Murata Manufacturing Co. have entered into the first phase of an agreement to explore a collaboration for high-volume manufacturing of ceramic film for QS’s solid-state battery technology.
IPC Welcomes Exemptions to Reciprocal Tariffs
04/14/2025 | IPCIPC shared the following statement today on tariff exclusions and their implications on the global electronics industry. This statement can be attributed to Dr. John W. Mitchell, IPC president and CEO:
ASMPT Demonstrates Technology Leadership in SMT Assembly
04/09/2025 | ASMPTThe rapid development of artificial intelligence is driving the demand for high-performance processors and placing great demands on electronics manufacturing.
Tariff Uncertainty Weighs on Display Demand, Pricing, and the Supply of AMOLED Materials,
04/09/2025 | TrendForceTrendForce reports that the U.S. began implementing reciprocal tariffs on April 9th, based largely on trade deficits. Consequently, Asia—particularly Southeast Asia, a key hub for the consumer electronics supply chain—has been significantly impacted.