Ceramic Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)
High-Performance Ceramic PCB Assemblies for Extreme Environments
Our ceramic PCB solutions at PICA Manufacturing Solutions are built to deliver exceptional thermal, mechanical, and electrical performance where standard FR‑4 or metal‑core boards fall short. Engineered from advanced ceramic substrates such as aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), aluminum nitride (AlN) and silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), these boards are designed for power, RF, high‑reliability, and even quantum computing cryogenic applications.
Whether you need prototypes, hybrid assemblies, or full-scale ceramic builds, PICA provides end-to-end support to meet the electrical, thermal, and mechanical demands of your system.
Why Choose Ceramic PCBs?
Thermal Conductivity – Ceramic substrates conduct heat far more effectively than FR‑4, enabling high‑power modules, LEDs, and dense electronics to run cooler and longer.
Reliability in Harsh Environments – Ultra‑low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), resistance to shock/vibration, and extreme temperature capability (including cryogenic) ensure durable performance under rugged conditions.
High‑Frequency & High‑Voltage Ready – With low dielectric loss and high breakdown voltage, ceramics are ideal for RF, microwave, and high‑voltage circuits.
Compact Design Potential – Supports dense interconnects, hybrid stack‑ups, and embedded passives to enable smaller, more efficient system form‑factors.
Cryogenic & Quantum‑Ready – Tested for thermal shock from –55 °C to +150 °C and with CTE values as low as ~2.6 ppm/°C (Si₃N₄), ceramic substrates maintain dimensional stability in ultra‑cold environments.
Ceramic PCB Capabilities – Highlights
Technology
- Ceramics: Al₂O₃, AlN, Si₃N₄, ZTA (Zirconia Toughened Alumina)
- Substrate options: Direct Copper Bonded (DCB), Active Metal Brazed (AMB)
- Multilayer ceramic builds (HTCC, LTCC)
- Laser drilling, etching, plating, and solder‐mask processing
- Thermal shock rated: –55 °C to +150 °C (suitable for cryogenic & extreme thermal cycling)
- Ultra‑low CTE materials: down to ~2.6 ppm/°C
- High bending strength: up to ~700 MPa
Materials
- Aluminum Nitride (AlN) – high thermal conductivity (170‑230 W/m·K)
- Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) – low CTE, excellent mechanical stability
- Alumina (Al₂O₃) – cost‑effective ceramic substrate
- Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) – enhanced toughness variant
- Copper layers: 0.127‑0.4 mm (DCB) / up to 1.2 mm (AMB)
- Surface treatments: Ni, Ni+Au, Ag plating
Patterns & Holes
- Minimum line/space: ~0.2‑0.5 mm (design dependent)
- Copper mismatch ≤0.1 mm
- Etching factor ≥2.0
- Distance to board edge ≥0.15‑0.5 mm depending on thickness
- Out‑dimension tolerance: +0.2/‑0.05 mm
- Edge chipping control: ≤½ board thickness
Surface Finishes
- Bare copper / antioxidant
- Ni (2‑8 µm) selective
- Ag (0.1‑1.0 µm) selective
- Ni + Au (Au 0.01‑0.10 µm) selective
- Custom plating options available on request
Benefits of Ceramic PCBs
Superior Thermal Management
Ceramic substrates conduct heat far more effectively than FR-4, enabling high-power applications like LEDs, power electronics, and RF systems.
Enhanced Reliability
Low CTE, corrosion resistance, and excellent thermal stability ensure long-lasting performance in harsh environments.
High-Frequency & High-Voltage Ready
Low dielectric loss and high breakdown voltage make ceramics ideal for RF, microwave, and power-conversion designs.
Compact & Versatile
Supports high-density interconnects and hybrid configurations, reducing system size while improving efficiency.
Harsh-Environment Durability
Withstands vibration, shock, and extreme temperatures, making ceramic PCBs a reliable choice for aerospace, defense, and industrial equipment.
Markets We Serve with Ceramic PCBs
Medical
Biocompatible and thermally stable substrates for implants, sensors, and diagnostic tools.
Automotive
Handles heat, vibration, and chemical exposure in advanced driver systems, EVs, and heavy equipment.
Telecom & RF
Low dielectric loss materials support high-frequency communication, radar, and microwave applications.
Defense & Security
Lightweight, rugged boards designed to withstand vibration, radiation, and thermal extremes.
Power Electronics & LEDs
High thermal conductivity ensures efficient heat dissipation for high-power and lighting systems.
Request Your PICAKit Today
We want you to take a look at what we can produce for you by offering you a PICAKit which includes a variety of flexible pcb, shields, & flat flexible cables.
