MCPCB

Metal Core Printed Circuit Board (MCPCB) is a type of printed circuit board that uses a metal core to conduct heat away from heat-generating components. Compared with standard FR-4 boards, MCPCBs offer superior thermal performance, enabling higher power dissipation in compact assemblies.

Most MCPCBs feature a central metal core, typically aluminum, although copper cores are used for demanding thermal applications. A dielectric layer provides electrical insulation between the core and the copper circuitry, while copper foil forms the actual traces and pads. The board is completed with solder mask and surface finish; sometimes copper is bonded on one or both sides of the dielectric.

Common metal cores are aluminum or aluminum alloys, with ceramic-filled or polymer-based dielectric layers. Dielectric thickness ranges from about 0.1 to 0.6 mm, selected to balance insulation and heat transfer. Copper cladding of 18-35 micrometers (1–1.5 oz) is typical. Some high-thermal MCPCBs use ceramic dielectrics such as aluminum nitride to increase thermal conductivity.

The manufacturing process involves laminating or bonding the dielectric to the metal core, followed by copper foil lamination and circuit imaging. Design considerations include heat spreading, thermal vias, and placement of heat-critical components. Finish options include ENIG, HASL, or immersion coatings. Rework can be more challenging than standard PCBs due to the metal core.

MCPCBs are widely used in LED lighting, power supplies, and automotive lighting, where heat management is critical. They enable higher power density, greater reliability, and smaller overall assemblies by reducing the need for external heatsinks.