Using high quality or low quality FR4? PCB manufacturing involves using various base materials, with copper-clad boards—often FR4 with copper layers on both sides—being the most common. FR4 is considered the most cost-effective and reliable material for multilayer PCBs. However, some small manufacturers use low-quality FR4 to reduce costs, especially for prototypes. While using cheaper materials may seem viable, it can compromise quality control. Larger PCB manufacturers, such as Shenzhen SysPCB, use high-quality FR4 materials from suppliers like Kingboard, Shengyi, and Isola to ensure consistent quality, particularly in mass production. High-volume production can reduce costs without compromising material quality, often making high-quality FR4 just as affordable as low-quality alternatives.
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