What is Epoxy

By Bester PCBA

Last Updated: 2023-12-04

Table of Contents

What is Epoxy

Epoxy is a type of resin commonly used in the PCB industry for its excellent mechanical and electrical characteristics. It is the most widely used material in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards due to its favorable properties. Epoxy resins are known for their low cost, ease of use, and ability to dissolve quickly and safely in inexpensive solvents.

Epoxy resins are thermosetting polymers that can be cross-linked with themselves or other co-reactants, such as polyfunctional amines, acids, phenols, alcohols, and thiols. This cross-linking process, also known as curing, results in the formation of a strong and durable material with exceptional mechanical strength, high thermal resistance, and chemical resistance.

In the PCB industry, epoxy resins are primarily used as a key component in the manufacturing of laminate materials. One common type of laminate material is the glass epoxy, which is a composite material consisting of glass fabric and epoxy resin. The glass fabric provides reinforcement to the epoxy resin, enhancing its mechanical strength and dimensional stability.

The most commonly used laminate material in PCBs is the FR-4 laminate, which stands for Flame Retardant 4. It is composed of glass fiber fabrics made from electronic fiberglass (E-Glass) filaments. The FR-4 laminate is cladded with copper foil on one or both sides, serving as the conductive layer in the PCB.

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