Metal Core PCB Manufacturer
A metal core PCB replaces the fibreglass substrate of a standard board with a metal base, usually aluminum or copper, so heat escapes through the board instead of building up inside it. An aluminum base conducts at 150 to 220 W/mK and copper at 380 to 400, against 0.3 to 0.5 W/mK for FR-4.
OurPCB manufactures metal core PCBs in China in single sided, double sided and multilayer builds, with core thickness from 0.4 to 3.2 mm and copper from 0.33 to 6 oz. Typical applications are LED lighting, power supplies, automotive electronics and motor drives.
What are MCPCBs?
Metal Core PCBs (MCPCBs) are printed circuit boards with a metal base, typically aluminum or copper, for efficient heat dissipation. They improve thermal management, making them ideal for high-power and high-heat applications like LED lighting and power electronics. MCPCBs enhance performance and reliability by reducing heat buildup.
If you’re working on projects that include Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors, MCPCBs offer excellent thermal performance and are an ideal choice.| Project Items | OurPCB Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Main Material Suppliers | Shengyi, Quanbao, Xintianyuan, Juding, etc. |
| Metal Types | Copper, Aluminum, Copper-Aluminum Composite, Stainless Steel, Iron |
| Structure | Single-layer, Double-layer/Multilayer, Copper/Aluminum Core, Thermal-Electric Separation |
| Thermal-Electric Separation Flatness | No significant difference(copper core boards) |
| Copper/Aluminum Core Thickness | 0.4–3.2 mm |
| Copper Thickness | (0.33, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) oz, 6–10 oz requires confirmation |
| Insulation Layer Thickness | Thermal conductive insulation: 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 μm Others: FR4 bonding sheets |
| Insulation Layer Thermal Conductivity | Standard FR4, 1 W/m·K, 2 W/m·K, 3 W/m·K, up to 15 W/m·K |
| Max Finshed Board Size – excl. Cu Core & Thermal-Electric Separation | 22.5″ × 30″ |
| PTH | Copper Base Thickness ＜0.8 mm: 0.8–6.0 mm Copper Base Thickness 0.8–1.6 mm: 1.0–8.0 mm Copper Base Thickness 1.7–3.2 mm: 1.2–8.0 mm |
| Countersink Holes | Vertical angle: 90° ± 5° Min drill bit: 0.8 ± 0.15 mm, Can be enlarged if needed Depth tolerance: ±0.20 mm |
| Counterbore Holes | Min angle: 30° ± 5°, Max angle: 180° Min drill bit: 0.8 ± 0.15 mm, Max drill bit: 6.0 ± 0.15 mm Depth tolerance: ±0.20 mm |
PCB Manufacturing Process
Why Choose OurPCB as Your Metal Core PCB Manufacturer?
- ✓ Professional Engineer Review for every project
- ✓ Stringent Quality Control across all manufacturing processes
- ✓ Advanced Testing Technology including AOI, E-Test, X-RAY, and Impedance Control
- ✓ Competitive Pricing especially for multilayer Metal Core PCBs
- ✓ ISO Certified manufacturing facilities
- ✓ Fast Turnaround times to meet your production schedules
Advanced MCPCB Manufacturing Capabilities
We produce a complete range of Metal Core PCB solutions:
Excellent thermal conductivity at cost-effective pricing
Superior thermal performance for the most demanding applications
Simplified designs for LED applications
Enhanced functionality with optimized thermal management
Complex circuitry with exceptional heat dissipation
Industry Certifications That Ensure Quality
- RoHS Compliance for environmentally responsible manufacturing
- IPC Standards for reliable performance
- UL Certification for safety assurance
- ISO 9001 for comprehensive quality management
Why Metal Core PCBs Are Essential for High-Performance Applications
As a Metal Core PCB manufacturer, we focus on providing solutions that not only meet the industry’s needs but also enhance the longevity and performance of your products. MCPCBs are designed to handle high-power applications like LED lighting and automotive systems, offering superior heat dissipation and reduced thermal expansion. The advantages of selective gold plating also play a significant role in ensuring durability and consistent performance in demanding environments.Our Metal Core PCBs dissipate heat 8-9 times more efficiently than standard FR-4 boards, making them ideal for:
- High-brightness LED lighting systems
- Power converters and motor drives
- Automotive electronics and EV components
- Industrial power supplies
- High-power amplifiers and audio equipment
OurPCB’s Metal Core PCBs provide:
- 2-4 times greater stiffness than traditional designs
- Superior resistance to mechanical stress and vibration
- Reduced thermal expansion for improved component longevity
- Enhanced overall system reliability in demanding environments
Expert Metal Core PCB Design Considerations
Strategic component placement for maximum heat dissipation
Expert guidance on core materials based on your thermal requirements
Optimized dielectric thickness for thermal transfer efficiency
Designs optimized for production efficiency and quality
PCB Assembly Services
We handle everything from parts sourcing to final assembly, providing a hassle-free experience that ensures top-quality boards every time.
Whether you need a few prototypes or large-volume batches, our flexible assembly services adapt to your project’s scope and timeline.
Stay environmentally responsible with our compliant assembly processes, offering RoHS and lead-free options for safe, reliable builds.
No matter the complexity, we can assemble boards of all configurations—single-layer, multi-layer, or a mix—to match your exact specifications.
From one-off prototypes to bulk orders, we accommodate projects of all sizes without compromising on quality or turnaround time.
Join our growing community of satisfied clients who rely on our dependable assembly expertise and dedicated customer support.
Millions of business and innovators use OurPCB
Partner With a Premium Metal Core PCB Manufacturer
- Analyze your thermal management requirements
- Design optimized Metal Core PCB solutions
- Manufacture to the highest quality standards
- Test for thermal performance and reliability
- Deliver on time and within budget
For custom enclosures around your boards see our Injection Molding Services, and for large-scale bare board production see our bare pcb board wholesale factory.
Capabilities & Services
- One-stop PCBA Services (PCB Manufacturing + Components Sourcing + Assembly)
- SMT Assembly + THT Assembly, Single/double-sided Assembly Mixed PCB Assembly
- BGA Rework
- 60,000 Chips/Hour
- Down to 01005/0210 Size
- Accuracy<±40μm
- Min. QFN Pin Width/Space: 0.15mm/0.25mm
- Min. BGA Diameter/Space: 0.2mm/0.35mm
- Rigid PCB, Flex, HDI, & High-speed Power Boards
- Multilayer PCB Assembly (up to 64 layers)
- 60GHz High Frequencies
- Min. Trace Width/Spacing: 1.8mil/1.8mil
- AOI, X-ray, ICT & FCT Testing
- Controlled Impedance
- ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 14001, IATF 16949, IPC-A-610, UL Certified
- Automotive, Medical, & Military-grade PCBA Manufacturing
Mon-Fri: 24 hours,
Sat: 9am-6pm, GMT+8
Reach us at
sales@ourpcb.net
24 hours online
+86-199-30589219
Mon-Fri: 24 hours,
Sat: 9am-6pm, GMT+8
Metal Core PCB Manufacturer FAQs
What is a metal core PCB and how does it differ from FR-4?
A metal core PCB puts the circuit on a metal base instead of fibreglass, so heat leaves through the board rather than building up in it. An aluminum base conducts at 150 to 220 W/mK and a copper base at 380 to 400, against 0.3 to 0.5 W/mK for FR-4.
The trade-off is flexibility. The metal base fixes much of the stack, so there are fewer thickness options, and single sided boards are built around surface mount rather than plated through holes. Metal core is also stiffer than FR-4 and moves less with temperature, which is why it holds up under vibration and repeated heating.
Do you make single sided, double sided and multilayer metal core PCBs?
All three. Copper core runs from 1 to 8 layers, and we build multilayer aluminum core as well. Single sided is the common construction for LED lighting: one copper circuit layer over the dielectric with the metal base beneath. Double sided and multilayer are used where the circuit is too dense for a single layer, typically in power supplies and motor drives.
Should I choose an aluminum or a copper core?
Aluminum for most work. An aluminum base at 150 to 220 W/mK handles the majority of designs, and it is lighter and cheaper.
Copper when the heat has nowhere else to go. A copper base conducts at 380 to 400 W/mK and runs to 150 C, which is what high current power electronics need. We build copper core from 1 to 8 layers, with copper from 35 um to 350 um.
Which metal core PCB is best for LED heat dissipation?
A single sided aluminum core covers most LED lighting.
What decides performance is the dielectric layer rather than the base metal. Ours runs 50 um to 200 um, and a thinner layer with higher conductivity moves more heat. Where power density is high enough that aluminum cannot hold your junction temperature, a copper base at 380 to 400 W/mK is the alternative. Send us your LED power, drive current and target junction temperature and we will specify the construction.
How do you design blind and buried vias on metal core boards?
Never through the metal base. On a single sided board there is one circuit layer above the dielectric, so vias stay within that layer and the base is not drilled.
On multilayer builds, blind and buried vias sit in the circuit layers above the base. Across our fabrication we build blind and buried vias, via-in-via, stacked vias and via-in-pad, at aspect ratios up to 40:1.
Can metal core PCBs be used in automotive electronics?
Yes. Our factories hold IATF 16949:2016, the automotive quality standard, along with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016.
Metal core is used in vehicle lighting, power conversion and drive electronics, where heat concentrates in tight spaces with little airflow. Copper core constructions run to 150 C.
What are the advantages of aluminum PCBs in motor control?
Motor drives switch high currents, and the MOSFETs or IGBTs doing the switching concentrate heat in a small area. An aluminum core pulls that heat out and spreads it across the board, keeping junction temperatures down and often removing the need for individual heatsinks. It also takes repeated thermal cycling better than FR-4, which matters where a drive heats and cools through its duty cycle.
Is there a minimum order quantity for metal core PCBs?
No. There is no minimum order quantity, from a single prototype through to mass production.
What metal core thicknesses do you offer?
Core thickness runs from 0.4 to 3.2 mm, with copper from 0.33 to 6 oz, and 6 to 10 oz on confirmation. The thermal insulation layer comes in 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 um. Maximum finished board size is 22.5 by 30 inches, excluding copper core and thermal-electric separation builds.
Which metals can you use for the core?
Copper, aluminum, copper-aluminum composite, stainless steel and iron. Aluminum covers most work and copper is for high heat, while the composite and steel options suit specific mechanical or cost requirements. Tell us your thermal and mechanical constraints and we will recommend the base.
What is thermal-electric separation?
A construction that separates the heat path from the electrical circuit, so heat passes straight into the metal base rather than through the dielectric. It is used where a standard metal core build cannot move heat fast enough. On copper core boards it produces no significant difference in flatness.
Order options
Quick-turn MCPCB prototypes with thermal simulation and DFM review.
Bridge production with aluminium and copper core substrate options.
Cost-optimised high-volume MCPCB fabrication with full thermal testing.
★ What customers say
Careful packaging on the metal core PCBs and complete documentation.
Pricing on the metal core PCBs run was noticeably better than our previous supplier.
Our go-to for metal core PCBs now; repeat orders are always reliable.
Impeccable metal core PCBs — no defects across the whole batch.
Clear, fast updates the whole way through the metal core PCBs order.
