Blog  /  PCB Types List: 30+ Kinds of Circuit Boards

PCB Types List: 30+ Kinds of Circuit Boards

PCB types include single-sided, double-sided, multilayer, rigid, flex, and high-density interconnect (HDI) boards. Each type has specific applications—rigid PCBs suit stable environments, while flexible PCBs support dynamic applications. HDI PCBs enable compact, complex circuitry. Choosing the right PCB type enhances device performance and reliability.
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PCB Types List

Below is a comprehensive list of PCB types, mentioning the most common kinds of Printed Circuit Boards, including their descriptions, features, and applications.

PCB Type Description Features Applications
Single-Sided PCBs PCBs with copper traces on only one side of the substrate. - One conductive copper layer on the substrate
- Simplest and most cost-effective type
- Components and traces on one side only
- Lowest production cost among all PCB types
- Calculators
- Electronic toys
- Timing circuits
- LED lighting systems
Double-Sided PCBs PCBs with copper traces on both sides of the substrate. - Two conductive layers (top and bottom)
- Components can be mounted on both sides
- Connected through plated holes (vias)
- Allows for more complex circuits
- Cell phones
- Amplifiers
- HVAC systems
- Industrial controls
Multilayer PCBs PCBs with three or more conductive layers, separated by insulating material. - Minimum of three conductive layers
- Current capability up to 40 layers
- Common configurations: 4, 6, or 8 layers
- High circuit density
- Reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI)
- Computers
- Medical equipment
- GPS technology
- Satellite systems
Rigid PCBs PCBs made from solid substrate materials that prevent the board from bending. - Made from solid substrate material (typically FR-4)
- Durable and stable
- Provides excellent mechanical stability
- Cost-effective for standard applications
- Motherboards
- Memory modules
- Telecommunication devices
Flexible PCBs PCBs made of flexible substrate materials like polyimide. - Can be bent, folded, or shaped
- Excellent for space-constrained applications
- Reduces weight compared to rigid boards
- Made from flexible materials like polyimide
- Wearable devices
- Flexible connectors
- Medical equipment
Rigid-Flex PCBs Combines rigid and flexible PCB technologies in a single board. - Combines rigid and flexible board materials
- Allows for three-dimensional configurations
- Reduces the need for connectors and cables
- Improves reliability
- Aerospace and military equipment
- Consumer electronics
- Smartphones
High-Density Interconnect (HDI) PCBs PCBs with a higher wiring density per unit area compared to traditional PCBs. - Higher circuitry density per unit area
- Features laser-drilled microvias, blind and buried vias
- Uses microvias and finer lines/spaces
- Allows for miniaturization
- Improved electrical performance
- Operates above 1 GHz frequency
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Wearable technology
- Complex routing applications
High-Frequency PCBs Designed to handle signals in the gigahertz (GHz) range. - Specialized materials for RF applications
- Uses materials like PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)
- Low dielectric constant and loss tangent
- Controlled impedance
- Low signal loss
- Superior moisture resistance
- RF communication systems
- Microwave antennas
- Telecommunications equipment
- High-speed digital applications
Aluminum PCBs PCBs with an aluminum metal substrate for better heat dissipation. - Metal core for superior heat dissipation
- Excellent thermal conductivity
- Reduces thermal stress on components
- High mechanical strength
- Better thermal management
- More expensive than standard FR-4 boards
- LED lighting
- Power converters
- Automotive electronics
Metal Core PCBs PCBs that use a metal core (usually aluminum or copper) to improve thermal management. - Contains a metal base layer (usually aluminum)
- Excellent thermal conductivity
- Superior heat dissipation properties
- Reduces thermal expansion
- Increases mechanical strength
- High-power applications
- Power equipment
- Automotive lighting
Embedded Component PCBs Components are embedded within the PCB layers. - Reduces overall board size
- Provides better protection for components
- Improved EMI shielding capabilities
- Miniaturized devices
- High-reliability applications
- Medical implants
Sequential Lamination PCBs Built up layer by layer in sequence through multiple lamination cycles. - Allows for more complex multilayer designs
- Better control of impedance
- Supports high-density interconnects (HDI)
- Advanced electronics
- Aerospace systems
- Military equipment
Mixed Technology PCBs Combines different PCB technologies within a single board. - Includes both through-hole and surface mount components
- Offers design flexibility
- Can integrate rigid, flex, and rigid-flex sections
- Complex applications requiring diverse components
- Industrial machinery
- Communication systems
Thick Copper PCBs PCBs with copper thickness greater than 3 ounces (oz). - Superior current-carrying capacity
- Better heat distribution
- Enhanced mechanical strength at connector sites
- High-power applications
- Power supply systems
- Solar power converters
Heavy Copper PCBs PCBs with copper thickness between 4 oz to 20 oz. - Excellent current handling capabilities
- Superior thermal management
- Supports high-density and high-power circuits
- Power distribution applications
- Electric vehicle charging stations
- Industrial load testers
Backplane PCBs Used to connect several PCBs together to form a complete system. - High-speed signal integrity
- Complex routing capabilities
- Supports multiple connectors and slots
- Servers and mainframes
- Networking equipment
- Data centers
Opto-Electronic PCBs Integrates optical and electronic components on the same board. - Uses special materials for optical transmission
- Higher data transmission rates
- Reduces signal loss
- Fiber optic communications
- High-speed data links
- Optical sensors
Hybrid PCBs Combines different material types and technologies in one PCB. - Can mix rigid, flex, and other materials
- Customized for specific applications
- Offers unique design solutions
- Specialized industrial equipment
- Medical devices
- Advanced consumer electronics
Microvia PCBs Utilize very small vias (holes) to connect layers in multilayer PCBs. - Enables higher component density
- Enhances signal integrity
- Reduces signal delays
- High-speed circuits
- Compact electronic devices
- HDI applications
Ceramic PCBs Made using ceramic substrates like alumina or aluminum nitride. - Superior thermal conductivity
- Excellent dimensional stability
- High-temperature resistance
- High-frequency performance
- High-temperature environments
- RF applications
- Aerospace and military systems
- Extreme environment applications
High-Tg PCBs PCBs with a high glass transition temperature (Tg), indicating higher thermal resistance. - Better performance at elevated temperatures
- Improved mechanical stability
- Enhanced chemical resistance
- Automotive electronics
- Industrial controls
- Power converters
RF PCBs Designed specifically for radio frequency applications. - Specialized materials to minimize signal loss
- Precise impedance control
- Low dielectric constant and loss tangent
- Wireless communication devices
- Radar systems
- Satellite communication
High-Speed PCBs Designed for high-speed signal transmission with minimal loss. - Controlled impedance traces
- Low dielectric constant materials
- Careful layout to minimize crosstalk
- Telecommunications
- High-speed data processing
- Computing equipment
Halogen-Free PCBs PCBs manufactured without the use of halogenated flame retardants. - Environmentally friendly
- Compliant with RoHS standards
- Reduced toxic emissions when heated
- Growing in popularity due to environmental regulations
- Consumer electronics
- Eco-friendly products
- Devices where environmental impact is a concern
PTFE PCBs PCBs made using PTFE materials for high-frequency applications. - Low dielectric constant
- Excellent for high-frequency applications
- Superior moisture resistance
- Stable electrical properties over a wide frequency range
- RF and microwave circuits
- Satellite communication
- High-speed communication devices
Polyimide PCBs PCBs made using polyimide materials known for high-temperature resistance. - High-temperature resistance (up to 260°C)
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Good chemical resistance
- Flexible circuits
- Aerospace and military electronics
- High-temperature environments
High-Temperature PCBs Designed to operate reliably at high temperatures. - Made from materials like polyimide or ceramic
- Enhanced thermal stability
- Resistant to thermal degradation
- Oil and gas industry
- Aerospace applications
- Industrial machinery
Antenna PCBs Specialized PCBs that function as antennas for wireless communication. - Precise patterning for specific frequencies
- Uses low-loss materials
- Compact and integrated design
- Mobile devices
- GPS systems
- Wireless networking equipment
Photoimageable PCBs Use photoimageable solder masks for fine-line circuitry. - High-resolution patterning
- Ideal for fine-pitch components
- Improved aesthetics and functionality
- HDI PCBs
- Microelectronics
- Precision instrumentation
LED PCBs Specifically designed for mounting Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). - Excellent heat dissipation
- Often use metal cores like aluminum
- Optimized for thermal performance
- LED lighting fixtures
- Automotive lighting
- Display backlighting
Transparent PCBs Made from transparent substrate materials. - Aesthetic appeal for certain applications
- Allows light transmission through the PCB
- Limited to low-temperature applications
- Display technologies
- Innovative consumer products
- Decorative electronics
Custom PCBs PCBs designed and manufactured to meet specific customer requirements. - Tailored materials, layer counts, and designs
- Meets unique performance needs
- Can combine multiple PCB technologies
- Specialized industrial equipment
- Bespoke electronics
- Prototyping and R&D projects

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PCB Types by Substrate Material

PCB Material Types Description Features Applications
FR-4 Standard glass-reinforced epoxy laminate. - Most common PCB material
- Good electrical insulation properties
- Cost-effective solution
- Standard PCBs
- Consumer electronics
Polyimide High-performance polymer material. - High-temperature resistance (up to 260°C)
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Good chemical resistance
- Flexible circuits
- High-temperature applications
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) High-frequency substrate material. - Low dielectric constant
- Superior moisture resistance
- Excellent for high-frequency applications
- RF and microwave circuits
- High-speed communication devices
Aluminum Metal substrate used for thermal management. - Excellent thermal conductivity
- Superior heat dissipation
- Metal Core PCBs
- LED lighting
Ceramic Substrate material with high thermal conductivity. - Superior thermal conductivity
- High-temperature resistance
- Excellent dimensional stability
- High-temperature PCBs
- Extreme environment applications
PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) High-performance engineering thermoplastic. - Excellent mechanical and chemical resistance
- High-temperature stability
- Specialized applications
- High-temperature environments

Copper PCB Types & Thickness

Copper Thickness Description Features Applications
Standard (1 oz/ft²) Approximately 35 micrometers thickness. - Standard copper thickness for general-purpose PCBs - General electronic devices
- Consumer electronics
High Power (2-3 oz/ft²) Increased thickness for higher current capacity. - Better current carrying capacity
- Improved heat dissipation
- Power supplies
- High-power applications
Thick Copper (>3 oz/ft²) Copper thickness greater than 3 oz. - Superior current-carrying capacity
- Enhanced mechanical strength
- High-power applications
- Solar power converters
Heavy Copper (4-20 oz/ft²) Copper thickness between 4 oz to 20 oz. - Excellent current handling
- Superior thermal management
- Power distribution
- Industrial load testers

Printed circuit board and component diagram

(Printed circuit board and component diagram)

 

High computer technology on abstract circuit board

(High computer technology on abstract circuit board)

 

(An insight of a Breadboard)

An insight of a Breadboard

Circuit board type-single panel picture

(Circuit board type-single panel picture)

Double-sided welded board on white background

(Double-sided welded board on white background)

PCB Type-Picture of Multilayer Circuit Board

(PCB Type-Picture of Multilayer Circuit Board)

A close-up on use of a PCB In a motherboard

(A close-up on the use of a PCB In a motherboard)

Circuit board type-electronic flexible circuit board

(Circuit board type-electronic flexible circuit board)

High-frequency copper wire on the circuit board

(High-frequency copper wire on the circuit board)An aluminum radiator prototype

(An aluminum radiator prototype)

Display a plurality of types of circuit boards

(Display a plurality of types of circuit boards)

 

Special Offer: Get $100 off your order!

Enjoy $100 off your order! No hidden fees and no minimum order quantity required.
Email [email protected] to get started!
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