Epoxy resin

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) form the foundation of modern electronic circuits and can be made from various materials. The most widely used material is FR4, a glass fiber-based board, while the original PCBs were made from paper phenolic aldehyde. Single-sided boards, which have components on one side and wiring on the other, emerged in the U.S. in the 1950s with the advent of the transistor. In the mid-1950s, Japan advanced single-sided board production using imported copper foil and phenolic substrates. However, due to limitations in insulation and heat resistance, materials like paper epoxy and glass fiber epoxy resins were later introduced. Today, FR4 substrates are the primary material used for single-sided boards in consumer electronics. Read More

The article discusses epoxy glass cloth laminate, particularly the FR-4 substrate, which is widely used in computer components and peripherals like motherboards and hard drives. The cost structure of a typical CCL (Copper Clad Laminate) sheet is outlined, with raw materials accounting for 80% of the total cost, heavily influenced by copper prices. Since 2012, rising copper prices have significantly impacted the profitability of the copper foil and CCL industries, subsequently affecting the entire PCB industry. This has led companies to focus on developing specialized supply chains to mitigate the risks associated with increasing raw material costs and shipping. Read More