Modes Encountered in Flex PCB Fabrication

The circuit board must undergo a multitude of processes to reach its final form and it is these that are susceptible to failure. These are mainly due to the thermal, mechanical and environmental stresses that it may encounter in its operation. The underlying issues can be mitigated through a variety of decisions that can be made during the PCB design phase to improve the probability of success.

The most common failure modes encountered in flex pcb fabrication are thermal stress, oxidation, and component failures. The first are caused by the stresses that occur during assembly and assembly-related operations such as reflow, heat sinking, and handling. These can be mitigated by ensuring that the design is as compact as possible, using standard materials, and minimizing the layer count.

Another common problem is the delamination of flex boards, which occurs when the lamination detaches from the dielectric material. This is typically caused by the use of materials that have a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for the required thermal requirement of the circuit board. The solution is to choose the correct laminate, and ensure that the copper-to-plate edge clearance – also known as plate-to-copper clearance – meets acceptable standards for the type of circuit board being produced.

Oxidation is another common problem that can occur when copper traces are exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time, or when the circuit board is subjected to prolonged vibrations and shocks. This can lead to trace degradation, which in turn can compromise the board’s performance. In extreme cases, oxidation can lead to the arcing of copper traces carrying high-voltage signals, which can damage and destroy the entire equipment.

Common Failure Modes Encountered in Flex PCB Fabrication

Component failures are another major issue that can impact the reliability of a PCB, and they are often caused by poor design, improper selection of components, overvoltage conditions, component ageing, package breakage and many other factors. This type of failure is often difficult to detect, and requires a thorough analysis of the board to determine the root cause of the problem.

Rigid flex circuits are widely used in electronics, automobiles and other devices that require both stiff portions for precise alignment and dynamic interconnects without the need for wires or connectors. Rigid flex circuits combine rigid regions that attach to motors, mechanical controls and test fixtures with dynamic flex circuitry to provide reliable connections for critical and safety-critical applications.

The encapsulated construction of rigid-flex circuits increases their resistance to environmental threats such as dust and moisture, thereby increasing their reliability. The best way to prevent the above failure modes is to follow strict PCB manufacturing guidelines, and ensure that the board’s design complies with all relevant regulations and standards. By working closely with the manufacturers, engineers can make sure that the PCB meets the targeted quality and reliability targets prior to high-volume production. This will help reduce the risk of costly repairs and replacements in the long term.