High Frequency CuClad233 RF PCB Substrate

CuClad 233 laminates are woven fiberglass-reinforced PTFE composite materials engineered specifically for deployment as printed circuit board (PCB) substrates. Leveraging precise regulation of the fiberglass-to-PTFE ratio, CuClad 233 laminates provide a versatile product range—encompassing grades with ultra-low dielectric constant (Dk) and loss tangent, as well as highly reinforced variants optimized for enhanced dimensional stability.

The woven fiberglass reinforcement integral to CuClad series materials delivers superior dimensional stability compared to nonwoven fiberglass-reinforced PTFE laminates of equivalent dielectric constant. Rogers’ stringent process control and consistency over PTFE-coated fiberglass cloth not only enables a broader spectrum of available Dk values, but also yields laminates with improved dielectric constant uniformity relative to comparable nonwoven fiberglass-reinforced alternatives. These performance attributes position CuClad laminates as a high-value solution for RF filters, couplers, and low-noise amplifiers (LNAs).

A defining characteristic of CuClad 233 laminates is their cross-plied architecture: alternating layers of PTFE-coated fiberglass plies are oriented at 90° to one another. This design achieves true electrical and mechanical isotropy in the XY plane—a proprietary feature exclusive to CuClad 233 laminates that no other woven or nonwoven fiberglass-reinforced PTFE laminates can match. This exceptional level of isotropy is critical for demanding applications such as phased array antennas.

With a dielectric constant (Er) of 2.33, CuClad 233 employs a balanced fiberglass-to-PTFE ratio that optimizes low dielectric constant and improved dissipation factor, without compromising core mechanical performance.

Features & Benefits

• Cross-plied woven fiberglass architecture with alternating plies oriented at 90°
• High PTFE-to-glass ratio
• Superior dielectric constant uniformity vs. comparable nonwoven fiberglass-reinforced laminates
• True electrical and mechanical isotropy in the XY plane
• Ultra-low signal loss
• Ideal for dielectric constant (Er)-sensitive circuit designs

Typical Applications

• Military electronics systems (radars, electronic countermeasures [ECM], electronic support measures [ESM])
• Microwave components (low-noise amplifiers [LNAs], filters, couplers, etc.)