All About Flex: High-Temperature Performance Flexible Circuits
January 21, 2016 | Dave Becker, All FlexEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
The new set of high-temperature constructions pose few limitations; however, applications are unique and testing within a simulated end use environment is always a good discipline. A variety of constructions meeting UL flammability requirements are available, with many of the chemical and mechanical properties of these new constructions similar to the existing polyimide constructions used in military and commercial applications. While some of the many material constructions used for flexible circuit fabrication may have slightly different flexibility properties, the flex properties of the new materials are similar to traditional laminates.
With high-temperature applications continuing to grow in demand, materials and processes required to support these challenging applications are becoming available. Fabricators are stocking the materials required to provide quick-turn delivery and support adoption in high-performance applications. Be careful when you pick-up that flex circuit…you might get burned.
References
1. IPC TMM 2.4.13.1 solder float test for thermal stress of laminates.
Dave Becker is vice president of sales and marketing at All Flex Flexible Circuits LLC.
Page 2 of 2
Suggested Items
Driving Innovation: Direct Imaging vs. Conventional Exposure
07/01/2025 | Simon Khesin -- Column: Driving InnovationMy first camera used Kodak film. I even experimented with developing photos in the bathroom, though I usually dropped the film off at a Kodak center and received the prints two weeks later, only to discover that some images were out of focus or poorly framed. Today, every smartphone contains a high-quality camera capable of producing stunning images instantly.
Hands-On Demos Now Available for Apollo Seiko’s EF and AF Selective Soldering Lines
06/30/2025 | Apollo SeikoApollo Seiko, a leading innovator in soldering technology, is excited to spotlight its expanded lineup of EF and AF Series Selective Soldering Systems, now available for live demonstrations in its newly dedicated demo room.
Indium Corporation Expert to Present on Automotive and Industrial Solder Bonding Solutions at Global Electronics Association Workshop
06/26/2025 | IndiumIndium Corporation Principal Engineer, Advanced Materials, Andy Mackie, Ph.D., MSc, will deliver a technical presentation on innovative solder bonding solutions for automotive and industrial applications at the Global Electronics A
Fresh PCB Concepts: Assembly Challenges with Micro Components and Standard Solder Mask Practices
06/26/2025 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsMicro components have redefined what is possible in PCB design. With package sizes like 01005 and 0201 becoming more common in high-density layouts, designers are now expected to pack more performance into smaller spaces than ever before. While these advancements support miniaturization and functionality, they introduce new assembly challenges, particularly with traditional solder mask and legend application processes.
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Tin Whisker Mitigation in Aerospace Applications, Part 3
06/25/2025 | Nash Bell -- Column: Knocking Down the Bone PileTin whiskers are slender, hair-like metallic growths that can develop on the surface of tin-plated electronic components. Typically measuring a few micrometers in diameter and growing several millimeters in length, they form through an electrochemical process influenced by environmental factors such as temperature variations, mechanical or compressive stress, and the aging of solder alloys.