1.6mm TLX-8 Immersion Gold PCB

Today, we’ll explore the TLX-8 PCB, a high-volume fiberglass-reinforced microwave circuit board known for its reliability across various RF applications. TLX-8 PCBs are particularly well-suited for radar systems, mobile communications, microwave test equipment, and microwave transmission devices.

Tipical values of TLX-8

The dielectric constant (Dk) of TLX-8, measured at 10 GHz, is 2.55, which is considered low. Its dissipation factor at 1.9 GHz is 0.0012, and while it increases slightly to 0.0017 at 10 GHz, it remains very low overall.

Additionally, TLX-8 features a dielectric breakdown strength exceeding 45 kilovolts. At higher frequencies, minimizing moisture absorption is crucial; TLX-8 achieves an impressive absorption rate of only 0.02%, well below the typical range of 0.1% to 0.2%.

Regarding peel strength, the data sheet outlines four scenarios: with 1 oz and 0.5 oz ED copper, 1 oz reverse-treated copper, and 1 oz rolled copper. All configurations demonstrate similar peel strengths, exceeding 10 lbs/linear inch.

Dimensional stability is another key factor. The data sheet reports stability measurements in both machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD) after thermal stress or baking, with all values below 0.1 mils/inch. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the X and Y axes closely matches that of copper, further indicating stable dimensions.

These features—higher peel strength and minimal dimensional expansion—equip TLX-8 PCBs to withstand harsh environmental conditions at sea and extreme temperature variations during flight.

TLX Family

The TLX family includes several variants: TLX-0, TLX-6, TLX-7, TLX-8, and TLX-9, all made from PTFE-based fiberglass laminates. These materials are versatile, with a Dk range of 2.45 to 2.65, and they come in various thicknesses and copper cladding options, making them suitable for low-layer count microwave designs.

Notably, TLX materials can be produced as very thin laminates for coupler-type applications, with TLX-9 being the thinnest at 2 mils and TLX-0 having the lowest Dk of 2.45.

TLX materials are essential in the RF microwave substrate landscape, as the fiberglass reinforcement enhances mechanical strength in demanding environments.

Our capabilities for TLX-8 PCB

For TLX-8 PCBs, we offer a range of configurations, including single-sided, double-sided, multi-layer, and hybrid boards. TLX-8 is available in various standard thicknesses, such as 10 mils, 20 mils, 30 mils, and 60 mils, with options as thin as 2.5 mils and as thick as 250 mils.

The finished copper can be either 1 oz or 2 oz, with the maximum PCB size for TLX-8 reaching 400mm by 500mm, accommodating both single designs and multiple layouts on a panel.

We also provide various solder mask options, including green, black, blue, and yellow, along with surface finishes such as immersion gold, HASL, immersion silver, immersion tin, bare copper, and OSP for pads.