Key Takeaways

  • High-Frequency Demands: RF circuits above 6 GHz face signal loss and impedance challenges that standard FR4 materials cannot address effectively.
  • RO4350B Properties: Features 3.48 ± 0.05 dielectric constant and 0.0037 loss tangent at 10 GHz for superior electrical stability.
  • Processing Benefits: Compatible with standard FR4 manufacturing unlike specialized PTFE materials, reducing costs and complexity.
  • Key Applications: Used in 5G infrastructure, automotive radar (24GHz/77GHz), aerospace communications, and high-speed digital systems.
  • Performance Edge: Outperforms FR4 with stable dielectric properties, low moisture absorption, and excellent thermal characteristics.
  • KINGBROTHER Advantage: 28+ years serving 18,000+ customers with 68-layer capabilities and Rogers partnership.

Introduction

With over 18,000 customers worldwide relying on high-frequency PCB solutions, engineers designing RF circuits for frequencies above 6 GHz face critical challenges: signal loss, impedance instability, and thermal management issues that standard FR4 materials simply cannot address effectively.

Rogers RO4350B emerges as the optimal solution, offering a unique balance of electrical performance and manufacturability. With its precisely controlled dielectric constant of 3.48 ± 0.05 and exceptionally low loss tangent of 0.0037 at 10 GHz, RO4350B enables engineers to achieve stringent performance requirements for 5G infrastructure, automotive radar systems, and aerospace applications while maintaining compatibility with standard PCB manufacturing processes.

Why Choose RO4350B PCB Material for High-Frequency Applications?

Modern high-frequency circuits demand materials that can maintain signal integrity under harsh conditions. RO4350B addresses the limitations of FR4 and provides an industry-standard balance of performance, manufacturability, and cost.

Critical Performance Requirements vs FR4 Limitations

Parameter RO4350B / High-Frequency Requirement Standard FR4 Limitation
Frequency Range Stable performance up to 40 GHz Severe degradation above 1 GHz
Dielectric Constant (Dk) 3.48 ± 0.05 (stable) Variation ±10–15% with temp/frequency
Loss Tangent @ 10 GHz 0.0037 0.015–0.025
Propagation Delay ≤0.2 ps/inch variation Highly inconsistent
Moisture Absorption Low, stable High, dielectric properties shift
Glass Weave Effect Minimal Causes impedance variation

 

What Makes Rogers RO4350B Material Superior?

RO4350B’s engineered composition addresses the critical performance gaps found in conventional PCB materials through precisely controlled dielectric properties and enhanced thermal characteristics.

RO4350B Dielectric, Thermal & Mechanical Properties

Below are properties of the RO4350B that directly address thermal stability and signal integrity challenges in telecom, radar, and aerospace.

Property Value Benefit
Dielectric Constant (Dk) 3.48 ± 0.05 Precise impedance control
Loss Tangent @ 10 GHz 0.0037 Low signal attenuation
Moisture Absorption 0.06% Stable electrical properties
Z-axis CTE 32 ppm/°C Copper-compatible, reduces via stress
Thermal Conductivity 0.69 W/m/K Effective heat dissipation
Operating Temp Range -55°C to +288°C Extreme environment reliability
Flexural Strength 275 MPa Mechanical robustness
Peel Strength 1.4 N/mm Strong copper adhesion

 

Processing and Manufacturing Advantages

Unlike PTFE-based materials that require specialized processing techniques, RO4350B can be fabricated using standard FR4 manufacturing processes. This compatibility reduces manufacturing costs and lead times while maintaining the electrical performance advantages of high-frequency materials.

The material’s excellent drill quality eliminates the need for specialized drill bits or modified drilling parameters. Via formation proceeds smoothly without delamination or resin smearing issues common with other high-frequency substrates.

RO4350B vs RO4003C: Which Rogers Material Should You Choose?

Choosing between RO4350B and RO4003C depends on balancing performance, cost, and processing needs. Each material excels in different high-frequency applications, and understanding these trade-offs guides the right selection.

Factor RO4350B RO4003C
Dielectric Constant (Dk) 3.48 3.38
Loss Tangent @ 10 GHz 0.0037 0.0027
Processing Standard FR4 compatible Requires specialized processing
Cost Lower Higher
Frequency Suitability Up to 40 GHz >40 GHz ultra-low loss
Applications Automotive radar, 5G, cost-sensitive production Satellite comms, ultra-high frequency

Use RO4350B when cost and manufacturability matter, while RO4003C is recommended for extreme low-loss needs at >40 GHz.

When Do You Need RO4350B PCB?

Specific applications across telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, and digital systems require RO4350B’s unique combination of electrical performance and environmental reliability.

Application Requirements Why RO4350B Fits
5G Infrastructure 24–43 GHz, beamforming, low-loss Stable Dk, low loss tangent
Automotive Radar 24/77 GHz, -40°C to +85°C Low CTE, thermal reliability
Aerospace Harsh environments, wide temperature range Mechanical strength, stable performance
High-Speed Digital Edge rates <100 ps, tight timing Stable Dk reduces skew, ensures timing

 

How Does RO4350B PCB Performance Compare to Alternatives?

Comprehensive performance analysis reveals significant advantages of RO4350B over standard materials while highlighting strategic trade-offs with other premium substrates.

Material Dielectric Constant (Dk) Loss Tangent @ 10 GHz Processing Cost Suitable Applications
FR4 4.2–4.8 (unstable) 0.015–0.025 Standard Low Consumer electronics (<1 GHz)
RO4350B 3.48 ± 0.05 0.0037 Standard FR4 compatible Medium 5G, automotive radar, aerospace
RO4003C 3.38 0.0027 Specialized Medium-high Satellite, >40 GHz
RO4533 3.0 0.0015 Specialized High Ultra-low loss RF
RO4835 3.33 ~0.003 Specialized High Specific impedance-critical designs

 

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Different Applications

For high-volume applications such as automotive radar and 5G infrastructure, RO4350B’s processing advantages and material cost benefits can result in substantial total cost reduction compared to speciality PTFE materials.

What Are the Manufacturing Considerations for RO4350B PCB?

RO4350B’s compatibility with standard PCB manufacturing processes eliminates many fabrication challenges while maintaining the performance advantages of high-frequency materials.

Drilling and Via Formation Challenges

RO4350B’s homogeneous construction eliminates the delamination issues common with PTFE-based materials during drilling operations. Standard carbide drill bits perform effectively without requiring specialized cutting tools or modified drilling parameters.

Lamination and Stack-up Design Requirements

RO4350B laminates easily with standard FR4 prepregs, enabling hybrid stack-ups that optimize cost and performance. The material’s CTE compatibility with copper ensures reliable via connections through temperature cycling.

Press cycles follow standard parameters (375°F, 400 psi, 90 minutes), eliminating the need for specialized lamination equipment.

Surface Finishing Options and Compatibility

All standard surface finishes are compatible with RO4350B, including HASL, ENIG, OSP, and immersion silver. The material’s thermal stability accommodates lead-free soldering temperatures without degradation of electrical properties.

How to Optimize Your RO4350B PCB Design for Maximum Performance?

Achieving optimal performance with RO4350B requires careful attention to impedance control, thermal management, and design for manufacturability principles.

Impedance Control and Signal Integrity Guidelines

Achieving precise impedance control with RO4350B requires careful attention to stack-up design and trace geometry. The material’s stable dielectric constant simplifies impedance calculations and reduces the need for test coupons to verify target values.

For differential pairs, maintain tight coupling by minimizing the separation between traces while ensuring adequate clearance to adjacent signals. Via transitions require careful design to minimize discontinuities. Back-drilling long vias removes unused via stubs that can cause reflections at high frequencies.

Thermal Management in RO4350B Designs

While RO4350B provides adequate thermal conductivity for most applications, high-power circuits may require additional thermal management techniques. Thermal vias connecting power components to ground planes improve heat dissipation and reduce component temperatures.

DFM Considerations for RO4350B Manufacturing

Design for manufacturability principles apply equally to RO4350B designs, but the material’s processing advantages simplify several aspects. Standard via sizes and spacing rules can be used without concern for drilling-related yield issues.

Why Choose KINGBROTHER for Your RO4350B PCB Manufacturing?

KINGBROTHER’s specialized expertise, Rogers partnership, and advanced manufacturing capabilities deliver reliable RO4350B solutions from prototype through high-volume production.

1. Advanced High-Frequency PCB Manufacturing Capabilities

KINGBROTHER’s 28 years of expertise in high-frequency PCB manufacturing provides the foundation for reliable RO4350B production. Serving over 18,000 customers worldwide through 5 design centers and 4 manufacturing bases, our advanced manufacturing capabilities include precision drilling systems capable of 0.06mm laser-drilled vias and impedance control tolerances of ±5% for prototyping and ±10% for production.

Our technical capabilities extend to complex multilayer constructions with up to 68 layers in prototyping and 32 layers in production. With over 1,000 customers maintaining 10+ year relationships, our temperature and humidity-controlled manufacturing environments ensure consistent material properties throughout the production process.

2. RO4350B Quality Control and Testing Procedures

Every RO4350B PCB undergoes comprehensive electrical testing, including impedance verification, continuity testing, and isolation measurements. Our quality control procedures include cross-sectional analysis to verify via formation quality and layer registration accuracy.

3. Rogers Material Certification and Partnership Benefits

As an authorized Rogers Corporation fabricator with 28+ years of experience, KINGBROTHER maintains direct access to technical support and material certifications required for critical applications. Our partnership ensures authentic material sourcing and access to the latest processing guidelines and design recommendations.

With no minimum order quantity (MOQ) requirements and a proven track record serving customers across communication, automotive, industrial control, AI, and medical equipment sectors, our global supply chain management ensures reliable RO4350B material availability even during supply constraints.

Conclusion

RO4350B PCB material delivers the optimal balance of high-frequency performance and manufacturability for 5G infrastructure, automotive radar, and aerospace applications. With its stable dielectric constant of 3.48 ± 0.05, low loss tangent of 0.0037 at 10 GHz, and compatibility with standard PCB processes, RO4350B enables predictable performance while reducing manufacturing costs compared to specialized PTFE materials. KINGBROTHER’s 28+ years of expertise, Rogers partnership, and advanced capabilities ensure reliable RO4350B manufacturing with comprehensive support from design optimization to production.

Contact KINGBROTHER today to discuss your RO4350B PCB requirements and accelerate your high-frequency design success.

FAQs

What’s the difference between RO4350B and RO4003C, and when should I choose each?

RO4350B (Dk 3.48, loss tangent 0.0037) offers standard FR4 processing compatibility, reducing costs and lead times. RO4003C (Dk 3.38, loss tangent 0.0027) provides slightly lower loss but requires specialized processing. Choose RO4350B for cost-sensitive applications up to 40 GHz; select RO4003C for ultra-low loss requirements above 40 GHz.

When should I consider RO4350B versus other Rogers materials like RO4533 or RO4835?

RO4350B balances performance and manufacturability for mainstream applications. RO4533 offers ultra-low loss (0.0015) but needs specialized processing. RO4835 provides a lower Dk (3.33) for specific impedance requirements. RO4350B remains optimal for standard high-frequency applications prioritizing processing ease.

How does KINGBROTHER’s RO4350B compare to standard FR4 for high-frequency applications?

RO4350B maintains ±2% dielectric stability versus FR4’s 15-20% variation. Loss tangent at 10 GHz is 0.0037 versus FR4’s 0.015-0.025, providing 4-7 times lower signal attenuation. RO4350B is essential for applications above 2 GHz requiring signal integrity.

What 5G applications benefit most from KINGBROTHER RO4350B PCBs?

RO4350B excels in 5G mmWave beamforming networks, power amplifiers, and antenna arrays for 24-29 GHz and 37-43 GHz bands. Base stations, small cells, and customer premise equipment benefit from its stable dielectric properties and thermal reliability in outdoor installations.

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