Stage LED lights copper base PCB

What is a Metal Core PCB (MCPCB)?

A Metal Core Printed Circuit Board (MCPCB), also known as a thermal PCB or metal backed PCB, is a type of PCB that has a metal material as its base for the heat spreader portion of the board. The thick metal (almost always aluminum or copper) is covering 1 side of the PCB.

ADVANTAGES OF COPPER CORE PCBS

Metal core PCBs offer many benefits compared to traditional circuit boards. With copper, your circuit board will provide robust performance in several ways.

HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

Of all the metal core PCB options, copper has the highest level of thermal conductivity. With higher conductivity, the heat transfer and dissipation are much stronger. In environments where high temperatures are involved, standard PCBs, such as FR-4 boards, may not withstand the heat, causing extensive damage. A copper core PCB will redirect heat from critical circuits, preventing performance issues and extending its life span.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

As an entirely natural material, copper is 100% recyclable. Using copper core boards can make your projects more environmentally friendly.

DURABILITY

With higher heat dissipation, copper core PCBs are less likely to distort or corrode over time, making them more durable than ceramic or fiberglass circuit boards. Copper core also survives the manufacturing process better than standard materials, reducing breaks that may occur during development and everyday use.

APPLICATIONS

As a material with high thermal conductivity and heat dissipation, copper core PCBs are the ideal solution for high-power applications. When you’re working with high-temperature projects, copper core circuit boards offer the best thermal conductivity and heat dissipation available. Your PCB will survive these severe conditions without sustaining damage to critical components.

Metal core PCBs were initially created for high-power switching supply, but they also have a significant presence in light-emitting diode (LED) applications, such as traffic lights. Copper core PCBs support higher-density designs, enabling more complex projects while operating at high currents.

Possible applications include:

·        Lighting: Street lights, interior lighting and camping lanterns

·        Automotive: Headlights and power controllers

·        Telecommunications: Filtering appliances and high-frequency amplifiers

·        Audio: Output, input and power amplifiers

·        Computers: Central processing unit (CPU) boards and power devices

·        Power supply: Solid-state relays, bridges, power rectifiers and converters

·        Medical tools: Operating room and surgical lighting, power converters and high-power scanning technology