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DiClad Laminates by Arlon

DiClad laminates are woven fiberglass/PTFE composite materials for use as printed circuit board substrates. Using precise control of the fiberglass/PTFE ratio, DiClad laminates offer a range of choices from the lowest dielectric constant and dissipation factor to a more highly reinforced laminate with better dimensional stability.

The woven fiberglass reinforcement in DiClad products provides greater dimensional stability than nonwoven fiberglass reinforced PTFE based laminates of similar dielectric constants. The consistency and control of the PTFE coated fiberglass cloth allows Arlon to offer a greater variety of dielectric constants and produces a laminate with better dielectric constant uniformity than comparable non-woven fiberglass reinforced laminates. The coated fiberglass plies in DiClad materials are aligned in the same direction. Cross-plied versions of many of these materials are available as Arlon CuClad materials.

DiClad laminates are frequently used in filter, coupler and low noise amplifier applications, where dielectric constant uniformity is critical. They are also used in power dividers and combiners, where low loss is important.

DiClad 522 and DiClad 527 (Er=2.40−2.65) use a higher fiberglass/PTFE ratio to provide mechanical properties approaching conventional substrates. Other advantages include better dimensional stability and lower thermal expansion in all directions. The electrical properties of DiClad 522 and 527 are tested at 1 MHz and 10 GHz, respectively.

Features of DiClad

• Extremely Low Loss Tangent
• Excellent Dimensional Stability
• Product Performance Uniformity

Benefits of DiClad

• Electrical Properties are Highly Uniform Across Frequency
• Consistent Mechanical Performance
• Excellent Chemical Resistance

Typical Applications of DiClad

• Military Radar Feed Networks
• Commercial Phased Array Networks
• Low Loss Base Station Antennas
• Missile Guidance Systems
• Digital Radio Antennas
• Filters, Couplers, LNAs

Links for DiClad

Arlon's Datasheet for DiClad

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CuClad Laminates by Arlon

CuClad® laminates are woven fiberglass/PTFE composite materials for use as printed circuit board substrates. Using precision control of the fiberglass/PTFE ratio, CuClad laminates offer a range of choices from the lowest dielectric constant and loss tangent to a more highly reinforced laminate with better dimensional stability.

The woven fiberglass reinforcement in CuClad products provides greater dimensional stability than non-woven fiberglass reinforced PTFE based laminates of similar dielectric constants. The consistency and control of the PTFE coated fiberglass cloth allows Arlon to offer a greater variety of dielectric constants and produces a laminate with better dielectric constant uniformity than comparable non-woven fiberglass reinforced laminates. These properties make CuClad an attractive choice for filters, couplers and low noise amplifiers.

CuClad laminates are crossplied (alternating layers of coated fiberglass plies are oriented 90' to each other). This provides true electrical and mechanical isotropy in the XY plane, a feature unique to CuClad. No other woven or nonwoven fiberglass reinforced PTFE based laminates make this claim. Designers have found this degree of isotropy critical in some phased array antenna applications.

CuClad 217 (Er=2.17, 2.20) uses a low fiberglass/PTFE ratio to provide the lowest dielectric constant and dissipation factor available in fiberglass reinforced PTFE based laminates. Together, these properties offer faster signal propagation and higher signal/noise ratios.

CuClad 233 (Er=2.33) uses a medium fiberglass/PTFE ratio to balance lower dielectric constant and improved dissipation factor without sacrificing mechanical properties.

CuClad 250 (Er=2.40–2.60) uses a higher fiberglass/PTFE ratio to provide mechanical properties approaching those of conventional substrates. Better dimensional stability and lower thermal expansion in all directions are other significant benefits. The electrical properties of CuClad 250GT and CuClad 250GX are tested at 1 MHz and 10 GHz respectively. For critical performance applications, CuClad products may be specified with an “LX” testing grade; this designates that each sheet will be tested individually, and a test report will be issued with the order.

Features of CuClad

• Cross Piled Woven Fiberglass, alternating piles are oriented 90° to each other
• High PTFE to Glass Ratio
• Better dielectric constant uniformity than comparable non-woven fiberglass reinforced laminates

Benefits of CuClad

• Electrical and Mechanical Isotropy in the X-Y Plane
• Extremely Low Loss
• Well Suited for Er Sensitive Circuits

Typical Applications of CuClad

• Military Electronics (Radars, ECM, ESM)
• Microwave Components (LNAs, filters, couplers, etc)

Links for CuClad

Arlon's Data Sheet for CuClad

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IsoClad Laminates by Arlon

IsoClad laminates are nonwoven fiberglass/PTFE composites for use as printed circuit board substrates. The nonwoven reinforcement allows these laminates to be used more easily in applications where the final circuit will be bent to shape. Conformal or “wrap-around” antennas are a good example.

IsoClad products use longer random fibers and a proprietary process to provide greater dimensional stability and better dielectric constant uniformity than competitive nonwoven fiberglass/PTFE laminates of similar dielectric constants.

IsoClad 917 (Er=2.17, 2.20) uses a low ratio of fiberglass/PTFE to achieve the lowest dielectric constant and dissipation factor available in a combination of PTFE and fiberglass.

IsoClad 933 (Er=2.33) uses a higher fiberglass/PTFE ratio for a more highly reinforced combination that offers better dimensional stability and increased mechanical strength.

Features of IsoClad

• Nonwoven Fiberglass Reinforcement
• Low Dielectric Constant
• Extremely Low Loss

Benefits of IsoClad

• Less Rigid than Woven Fiberglass
• Highly isotropic in X, Y and Z Directions

Typical Applications of IsoClad

• Conformal Antennas
• Stripline and Microstrip Circuits
• Missile Guidance Systems
• Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems

Links for IsoClad

Arlon's Data Sheet for IsoClad

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CLTE from Arlon

CLTE is a ceramic powder-filled and woven micro fiberglass reinforced PTFE composite engineered to produce a stable, low water absorption laminate with a nominal Dielectric Constant of 2.98.

Arlon’s proprietary formulation for CLTE materials creates a reduced Z-direction thermal expansion (nearer to the expansion rate for copper metal), improving plated through hole reliability. It is stable during subsequent thermal cycling in process, assembly and use.

The formulation was chosen to minimize the change in εr caused by the 19°C second-order phase transition in the molecular structure. This temperature stable εr simplifies circuit design and optimizes circuit performance in applications such as phased array antennas.
CLTE also provides higher thermal conductivity that increases the rate of heat dissipation and thus permits use of higher power in an otherwise equivalent design.

CLTE retains the low loss tangent associated with PTFE. While once required only for microwave frequencies, low loss is also of great value in reducing cross talk in high-speed digital applications and minimizes the power of consumption of a circuit design.

Features of CLTE

• Ceramic/PTFE Composite
• Low Water Absorption
• High Thermal Conductivity
• Low Loss
• Tight Dk and Thickness Tolerance

Benefits of CLTE

• Thermally Stable DK and Df
• Dimensional Stability

Typical Applications for CTLE

• Radar Manifolds
• Phased Array Antennas
• Microwave Feed Networks
• Phase Sensitive Electronic Structures
• PAs, LNAs, LNBs
• Satellite & Space Electronics

Links for CTLE

Arlon's Data Sheet for CTLE
Arlon's Data Sheet for CTLE-XT
Arlon's Data Sheet for CTLE-AT

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AD255A Laminate from Arlon

Arlon’s AD255A is a woven fiberglass reinforced PTFE composite material designed as a low cost laminate with excellent low loss characteristics. Features of AD255A include lower loss through the use of optimizing the trade-off between thicker and thinner glass styles, strategic use of lower loss ceramics at the exclusion of lossier glass, as well as a tighter DK tolerance. The AD255A design offers a higher degree of performance over comparable legacy PTFE/glass laminates that have not contained ceramic. This results in lower loss, higher antenna efficiencies, lower thermal expansion properties and greater phase stability.

This material combines the excellent low loss electrical properties of PTFE resin with the thermal properties of ceramic and the enhanced value of cost effective fiberglass styles to provide low cost laminate materials suitable for high volume commercial wireless communication applications.

The electrical properties of AD255A are highly desired in applications where higher frequency and expectations for increased fidelity with broadband signals are beyond the performance capabilities offered by high temperature or low temperature ceramics and thermosets.

Stability of PTFE over a wide frequency range and its low loss properties, makes AD255A ideal for a variety of microwave and R/F applications in telecom infrastructure. The inclusion of micro-dispersed ceramic provides thermal stability to the laminate in the form of lower CTE values and greater Phase Stability across temperature. The X and Y CTE matches the CTE of copper.

AD255A is compatible with the processing used for standard PTFE based printed circuit board substrates. Its low Z-axis thermal expansion improves plated through hole reliability compared to typical PTFE based laminates. Low X-Y expansion improves BGA solder-joint reliability.

Features of AD255A

• Very Low Loss PTFE and Ceramic Filled Composite (0.0014 Loss Tangent at Base Station Frequencies)
• Dielectric Constant (2.55) with Tighter Tolerance
• Low Dielectric Loss (Loss Tangent)
• Low Profile Copper (lower conductive losses and lowest PM)
• Low Z-Direction CTE

Benefits of AD255A

• Higher Antenna Efficiencies
• Lower Insertion Loss
• Low PIM for Antenna Applications
• Excellent CTI for Phase Stability
• Ceramic provides higher degree of Dielectric Constant Stability as Temperatures Change or Cycle

Typical Applications of AD255A

• Base Station Antenna Applications
• Commercial Antennas
• Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) Antennas (Satellite Radio)

Links for AD255A

Arlon's Datasheet for AD255A

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AD260A Laminate from Arlon

Arlon’s AD260A is a woven fiberglass reinforced PTFE composite material designed as a low cost laminate with excellent low loss characteristics. Features of AD260A include lower loss through the use of optimizing the trade-off between thicker and thinner glass styles as well as a tighter DK tolerance.

This material combines the excellent low loss electrical properties of PTFE resin with the thermal properties of ceramic and the enhanced value of cost effective fiberglass styles to provide low cost laminate materials suitable for high volume commercial wireless communication applications.

The electrical properties of AD260A are highly desired in applications where higher frequency and expectations for increased fidelity with broadband signals are beyond the performance capabilities offered by high temperature or low temperature ceramics and thermosets.

The dielectric constant has been designed with a 2.60 dielectric constant. To maintain high yields with the end customer, Arlon uses the IPC TM-650 2.5.5.6 (FSR) Test Method on every panel to insure dielectric constant consistency. Stability of PTFE over a wide frequency range and its low loss properties, makes AD260A ideal for a variety of microwave and R/F applications in telecom infrastructure. The inclusion of micro-dispersed ceramic provides thermal stability to the laminate in the form of lower CTE values and greater Phase Stability across temperature.

AD260A is compatible with the processing used for standard PTFE based printed circuit board substrates. Its low Z-axis thermal expansion improves plated through hole reliability compared to typical PTFE based laminates. Low X-Y expansion improves BGA solder-joint reliability.

Features of AD260A

• Low Lost PTFE and Ceramic Filled Composite
• Dielectric Constant (2.60)
• Low Dielectric Loss (Loss Tangent)
• Low Profile Copper (lower conductive losses)
• Low Z-Direction CTE
• Low Thermal Coefficient of Er

Benefits of AD260A

• Low Insertion Loss
• Higher Antenna Efficiencies
• Multiple boards per panel (reduced edge trim waste)
• Large antenna formats

Typical Applications of AD260A

• Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) Antennas (Satellite Radio) 
• Base Station Antenna Applications
• GPS and RFID Reader Antennas
• Electronic Surveillance, SIG INT and other RF Applications

Links for AD260A

Arlon's Datasheet for AD260A

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AD300A Laminate from Arlon

AD300A is a woven fiberglass reinforced PTFE/Microfine Ceramic composite material and is a significant improvement in cost/performance over traditional fluoropolymer-glass laminates. This combination offers designers an advantage for improving electrical performance through the use of advanced material without the additional cost traditionally associated with higher performance.

AD300A offers the Tightest Commercial Dielectric Constant Tolerance in the industry, 3.00 ±0.04. In comparison, competitive offerings are currently at 3.00 ±0.05. This tighter performance provides designers with a higher degree of impedance control, critical for maximum power transfer (S21) and for minimal insertion loss (S11). Combined with AD300A’s low loss properties, these properties lead to higher antenna gain.

AD300A was specifically developed for Base Station Antennas and Base Station Power Amplifiers where low loss and low PIM is critical. Other key performance attributes include low moisture absorption, low thermal coefficient of the dielectric (CTEr), high copper peel strength and good dimensional and thermal stability. The 3.00 Dielectric Constant also provides a small degree of miniaturization that is critical to the size constraints of some antenna designs.

Features of AD300A

• Cost-Effective Construction using a PTFE and Microfine Ceramic Resin
• High Volume Manufacturing Design
• Tightest Commercial Dielectric Constant Tolerance (3.00 ±0.04 vs. Competitive Options at 3.00 ±0.05)
• Excellent PIM Performance
• Reduced Thermal Coefficient of Dielectric Constant (TCer)
• High Thermal Conductivity ideal for Higher Power Designs

Benefits of AD300A

• Low Dielectric Loss (Loss Tangent)
• Low Insertion Loss (S21)
• Excellent Copper Bond Strength
• Low Moisture Absorption

Typical Applications for AD300A

• Base Station Antennas
• Power Amplifiers (PA), Tower Mounted Amplifiers (TMA) and Tower Mounted Booster Amplifiers (TMB)
• Multimedia Transmission Systems

Links for AD300A

Arlon's Datasheet for AD300A

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AD320A Laminate from Arlon

AD320A is a woven fiberglass reinforced PTFE/Microfine Ceramic composite material and is a significant improvement in cost/performance over traditional fluoropolymer-glass laminates that do not use ceramics. This combination offers designers an advantage for improving electrical performance through the use of advanced material without the additional cost traditionally associated with higher performance.

AD320A was specifically developed for Base Station Antennas and Base Station Power Amplifiers where low loss and low PIM is critical. Other key performance attributes include low moisture absorption, low thermal coefficient of the dielectric (CTεr), high copper peel strength and good dimensional and thermal stability. The 3.20 Dielectric Constant also provides a small degree of miniaturization that is critical to the size constraints of some antenna designs.

AD320A is compatible with the processing used for standard PTFE based printed circuit board substrates. In addition, the low Z-axis thermal expansion provided by the ceramic loading, will improve plated through hole reliability compared to typical PTFE based laminates.

Features of AD320A

• Cost Effective Construction using PTFE and microdispersed ceramic
• High Volume Manufacturing Design
• Excellent PIM Performance
• Reduced Thermal Coefficient of Dielectric Constant (TCer)
• High Thermal Conductivity ideal for Higher Power Designs

Benefits of AD320A

• Low Dielectric Loss (Loss Tangent)
• Low Insertion Loss (S21)
• Excellent Copper Bond Strength
• Low Moisture Absorption

Typical Applications of AD320A

• Base Station Antennas
• Power Amplifiers (PA), Tower Mounted Amplifiers (TMA) and Tower Mounted Booster Amplifiers (TMB)
• Multimedia Transmission Systems

Links for AD320A

Arlon's Datasheet for AD320A

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