Rogers Corporation offers various high frequency circuit board materials optimized for radio frequency (RF) and microwave PCB fabrication. Two of their most popular laminates are RO4003C and RO4350B. Both fall under Rogers’ trusted RO4000® series product family and demonstrate excellent electrical performance. However, there are some key differences between the two to consider when selecting which material best fits your application.
RO4000 Series Overview
The RO4000 series encompasses some of Rogers’ most widely used materials for cost-effective wireless and radar designs in commercial and defense products. The series includes different dielectric options with dielectric constants ranging from 3.38 to 10.2. This allows matching desired impedances and signal performance specs.
All RO4000 laminates feature:
- Tight tolerances for consistent circuit properties
- Low loss tangents that maximize signal efficiency
- High frequency stability over temperature fluctuations
- Resistance to environmental stresses like moisture
- Compatibility with standard PCB processing methods
This combination of electrical integrity and manufacturability makes the RO4000 family extremely popular for circuits operating up to GHz frequencies. Now let’s explore how RO4003C and RO4350B compare.
RO4003C Properties and Applications
RO4003C represents Rogers’ highest volume material in the RO4000 series and acts as an all-around workhorse laminate. Its properties include:
Dielectric Constant - 3.38 Loss Tangent - 0.0021 at 10 GHz Operating Temperature - -55-170°C
With its low and stable dielectric constant, RO4003C reliably achieves controlled impedances while managing loss to support most commercial circuit needs up to gigahertz frequencies. It balances cost-effectiveness with quality performance. Common applications include:
- Automotive radar
- Antenna arrays
- IoT and wireless devices
- RF components and modules
- Test instrumentation
- Communication infrastructure
Its proven consistency also makes RO4003C well suited as a dependable prototyping material before moving to exotic substrates for final production. The compatibility with standard PCB processes enables easy fabrication through most board shops.
RO4350B Properties and Applications
Rogers RO4350B possesses very similar makeup to RO4003C as a ceramic-filled, glass-reinforced PTFE composite material. However, RO4350B delivers incrementally better performance thanks to an even lower dielectric constant of 3.48 and average loss tangent of 0.0037 at 10 GHz.
This enables RO4350B to achieve tighter impedance tolerances and higher frequency operation than RO4003C for precision microwave applications like:
- High speed data transmission
- Military and aerospace electronics
- Satellite communications
- 5G networking infrastructure
- High frequency instrumentation
- Radar and automotive sensors
The RO4350B material shines when engineers need to push electrical performance beyond RO4003C levels to achieve next-generation wireless speed and functionality targets. The consistency and stability match that of RO4003C.
Comparing Dielectric & Physical Properties
Here is a detailed property comparison between Rogers RO4003C and RO4350B laminates:
| Material Property | RO4003C | RO4350B |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric Constant | 3.38 | 3.48 |
| Loss Tangent at 10 GHz | 0.0021 | 0.0027 |
| Water Absorption (%) | 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.79 | 1.63 |
| Dielectric Strength (V/mil) | 22 | 25 |
| Volume Resistivity (MΩ-cm) | 1×108 | 1×107 |
As the table illustrates, while the two materials share impressive stability and RF performance, the RO4350B edges out RO4003C slightly in key electrical indicators thanks to the next-gen ceramic filler refinement. This makes 4350 well suited for leading edge microwave systems pushing boundaries.
Cost Considerations
The only notable tradeoff between RO4003C and RO4350B comes down to cost. As Rogers’ highest volume material with widespread fabrication adoption, RO4003C delivers reliable performance at lower prices than 4350B.
However, thanks to consistent innovation by Rogers Corporation driving improved processing and supply chain efficiencies, newer generations like RO4350B come down in cost over time while pushing performance boundaries. This makes them compelling options asProjects maturing beyond proof stages ready for commercialization or mission-critical applications warranting top-tier electricals may justify the modest cost premium of RO4350B.
Conclusion
In summary, Rogers RO4003C and RO4350B both offer industry-leading frequency stability, low loss, exceptional consistency, and fabricated durability for wireless circuit boards. RO4003C provides proven, cost-effective performance making it the most ubiquitous option across commercial RF applications. RO4350B builds on these strengths with elevated microwave frequency response, tighter impedances, and even lower losses to satisfy communication systems pushing into higher frequencies like 5G infrastructure.
Ready to explore using these exceptional circuit materials for your next project? Contact our engineering team to evaluate which Rogers’ laminate best suits your specific application needs. Our decades of experience applying Rogers’ materials allows providing application-optimized recommendations.
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