Any electronics, when they operate, are obvious to deliver a certain amount of heat in the process. And, any electronic appliance would only function when there is a PCB installed in the system. This makes it obvious that every PCB assembly from India is designed to withstand and perform well in heated environments. However, there are certain applications where the temperature dissipated or used is extremely high. When designing for these applications, carefully designing a special high temperature circuit board is important.
Which materials can be used?
First and foremost, the materials to be used in high temperature PCBs need to be considered. The most popular material used in such applications is a glass-epoxy laminate called FR-4 that can withstand temperatures ranging between 90 and 110°C. Another material is polyamide that can withstand temperatures between 130 and 260°C. Also remember, traditional leaded solder paste melts at 160-180°C, which is why when designing for higher temperatures, the PCB must use lead-free solder paste. If not, after construction with leaded solder paste, the components will easily fall off during the operation due to high temperature that will cause the paste to melt.
What kind of design will be appropriate?
Many components that are generally used in a PCB cannot function in extreme temperatures. Many silicon chips fail to work in high temperature environments. So, if the design needs components like logic chips or microcontrollers, a temperature parameter needs to be set when searching for components. After picking the most appropriate components, the placement also needs to be considered. All the heat-creating components should be spaced as far as possible; for example, voltage regulators, high power resistors, etc. After component placement comes the enclosure. We need enclosures that can insulate against heat to protect the PCB and the appliance. You may consider thermal insulation on the interior walls of the enclosure, or temperature shielding materials like titanium, Kevlar, or ABS plastic.
Ventilation – A very important aspect
When multiple components within a single circuit board generate heat, a lot of heat can be generated, which is why ventilation becomes very important, a small case-fan needs to be installed in conjunction with a heat sink. The placement of the fan is also important, which can be decided only after knowing how the blades of the heat sink are placed, such that cols air can be blown over them to decrease the temperature of the component. Also, strategically placed vias need to be placed throughout the design that can help thermally taxing parts dissipate heat.
The above mentioned practices can help create boards that can survive even the highest of temperatures. Making the right choice and practicing to make a perfect build can help make your appliances perform efficiently and with ease. Although there needs clarification of the general concepts, knowledge about the materials and design, and good amount of practice, you need not worry if you have a reputed manufacturer at your service. Miracle Electronics is a leading manufacturer of the best quality PCB assembly from Germany, who has a team of experts working together to build all kinds of dense and complicated PCBs to work in the harshest of environments like military and aerospace.
