Rogers RO3730 laminates are high-frequency circuit materials that meet the requirements of high-speed and high-temperature applications. With a Dk of 3.0 and a 0.0013 dissipation factor, RO3730 allows designers of antennas to minimize signal loss.

Due to the mechanical and electrical properties of this material, it is needed in the fabrication of PCBs with high-frequency demands. RO3730 laminates can be transformed into PCBs with the use of the processing techniques of the PTFE circuit board. Rogers Corporation specifically designed Rogers RO3730 to meet the increasing demands of antenna designers. Using clad and woven fiberglass, they are reinforced with electrodeposited copper foil.

Properties of RO3730

Rogers RO3730 offers impressive signal transmissions and electrical qualities. These laminates also feature great thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties which include:

Low dielectric constants: Rogers RO3730 has a low dielectric constant measured at 3.0 at 10GHz at 23°C. This value shows that this material can retain its dielectric properties. An excellent dielectric constant is always measured between 2.4 and 4.6. With a dielectric constant of 3.0, this laminate is ideal for use in high-frequency pcb applications.

Low dielectric loss tangent: The dielectric loss tangent of a circuit material is also regarded as the material’s dissipation factor. With a loss of tangent measured at 0.0013 in 10GHz/23°C, this material will perform well over different frequencies. One of the commonest quality designers consider is a low dielectric loss tangent.

Low dimensional stability: The dimensional stability of Rogers RO3730 measured at both axis X and Y is 0.02 and 0.03mm/m.

Coefficient of thermal expansion: The CTE of Rogers Ro3730 can be measured at 12 and 13 ppm/°C in the X and Y direction. CTE measures how a material expands in response to a change in temperature.

Excellent thermal conductivity: This material has a thermal conductivity of 0.45 W/m/°K. The thermal conductivity of Rogers RO3730 is high. This means that thermal energy can be transferred by the material with ease. When a circuit material has high thermal conductivity, it helps in contributing to the better performance of multilayer boards.

Low moisture absorption: This material’s moisture absorption is 0.04%. It has a low rate of moisture absorption and as such, makes it withstand a humid environment.

Great peel strength: Rogers RO3730’s peel strength is measured at 1.8 N/mm at 10 sec. 550°F. The peel strength measures the strength of the bond between the substrate material and the conductive layer. The peel strength of RO3730 is excellent.

Benefits of Rogers RO3730

Rogers RO3730 pcb

Rogers RO3730 circuit materials are electrically and mechanically stable. With their great thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, these materials offer several benefits like;

Environmentally friendly: Rogers Ro3730 is lead-free process compatible and flame-retardant. This material does not only offer high-performance over a wide range of frequencies, but it also agrees with flammability standards.

Better rigidity for better handling: This laminate is made with woven glass. This ensures that users can handle them with ease. The rigidity of this material also ensures its flexibility.

RoHS compliant: This material is RoHS compliant. This directive ensures that hazardous substances are not used in electronic equipment. Rogers RO3730 has been tested and it surely complies with the RoHS standards.

Cost-effective option: Rogers RO3730 is sold at an affordable price compared to its counterparts. This is one of the major reasons it is a preferred option for most designers. This material offers great value.

Improved antenna gain: This material has great thermo-mechanical properties and electrical qualities that enable improved antenna gain. This enables antenna designers to get substantial gain values while reducing signal loss.

ISO 9002: Rogers RO3730 circuit materials are produced under ISO 9002 certification. These materials follow the standards of ISO. ISO 9002 provides guidelines for quality assurance in PCB production and installation.

Rogers RO3730 Applications

Rogers RO3730 circuit materials meet the requirements of antenna designers as a result of their electrical and mechanical performances. These materials are well suited for:

• Base station antennas
• RFID antennas
• WLAN antennas
• Satellite radio antennas

Base station antennas: Base station antennas are commonly used for mobile communications. Base station antennas of mobile communication help to minimize insertion loss for achieving mass production of the antenna. A printed circuit board is a core part of a base station antenna.

RFID antennas: RFID antennas get energy from an RFID reader and transport it in RF waves to RFID tags. Rogers RO3730 laminates are very important in designing RFID antennas as they possess the electrical and mechanical properties required for this application.

WLAN antennas: WLAN antennas boost signal strength when installed on wireless devices. Rogers RO3730 laminates have a low dielectric constant and loss tangent which make them ideal for this application.

Satellite radio antennas: Rogers RO3730 laminates are ideal in the production of satellite radio antennas since they offer electrical qualities and reduce signal loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I select a PCB material? When selecting a PCB material, you should consider the board application and design. The strength of your PCB substrate will be determined by the material you choose.  The type of conductive material you choose will also determine its conductivity levels.

Why is that the material always used in PCB for conductive layers is copper? Although you can make use of other materials such as gold and silver, copper materials are most usually utilized for this purpose. This is so, because copper functions as a great conductor of electrical signals. Asides from this, it is economical and readily available compared to gold and silver. It is also seen as a reliable thermal conductor.

Conclusion

Rogers RO3730 antenna grade laminates offer electrical and thermo-mechanical properties required by antenna designers. These laminates have a low PIM performance. With the use of PTFE circuit board processing procedures, these materials can be produced into printed circuit boards.  These low-loss materials offer several benefits.

Rogers RO3730 laminates are strengthened with woven fiberglass. These laminates feature plated-through-hole capability and improved antenna gain. These materials are clad with 1 ounce annealed copper. This laminate offers a cost-effective solution to antenna designers coupled with the fact that it can withstand varying environmental conditions.