High Tg Bromine-free Laminates for PWB Applications

Halogen free materials have been available in certain laminate market areas for many years. At the time some of the first halogen-free products were being introduced, the vast majority of applications required primarily lower DSC Tg products similar in performance to FR-4 laminates. Since that time, laminate application requirements surrounding halogen-free as well as halogenated laminates have changed, requiring improved thermal and electrical performance. The recent drive for higher Tg and improved thermal performance laminates has been primarily driven by the concurrent development of lead free solder processing and higher temperature application environments. In Japan, low-temperature, incomplete incineration processing of halogenated materials has also been a primary driver of halogen free requirements.