The DiClad® 870/880 Series are high-performance PTFE-based laminates, designed specifically for high-frequency and microwave applications. These series are ideal for RF and microwave circuits, offering low loss, stable dielectric properties, and excellent mechanical strength, making them suitable for a wide range of demanding electronic designs.

Key Features of DiClad® 870/880 Series Laminates:

1. Material Composition:

• PTFE Resin: The DiClad® 870/880 Series use Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a fluoropolymer known for its low dielectric loss and high stability, particularly in high-frequency environments.
• Reinforced with Woven Fiberglass: This reinforcement adds mechanical strength to the laminate, ensuring stability under high thermal and mechanical stress conditions.

2. Electrical Performance:

• Low Dielectric Constant (Dk):
  • DiClad® 870: Typically 2.55 ± 0.05 at 10 GHz, providing excellent signal integrity and minimizing signal degradation.
  • DiClad® 880: Typically 2.65 ± 0.05, suitable for slightly higher-frequency applications where a higher dielectric constant is required.
• Low Dissipation Factor (Df):
  • Both materials exhibit low Df values (around 0.0012 to 0.0020), which minimizes signal loss, an essential characteristic for high-frequency and high-speed circuits.
• Stable Dielectric Properties: The DiClad® series maintains stable Dk and Df values over a wide range of frequencies, making it ideal for broadband and high-frequency applications.

3. Thermal and Mechanical Properties:

• Thermal Stability: These laminates can withstand elevated temperatures without significant degradation of electrical performance.
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE): Both DiClad® 870 and 880 have low CTE, which is important for multilayer designs, ensuring the laminate remains stable during temperature fluctuations.
• Moisture Resistance: The materials are highly resistant to moisture, preventing performance degradation in humid or wet environments, which is crucial for outdoor and aerospace applications.

4. Fabrication Compatibility:

• Standard PCB Fabrication Processes: The DiClad® 870/880 series are designed to work with standard PCB fabrication techniques, such as drilling, lamination, and etching, allowing easy integration into production processes.
• Copper Adhesion: Excellent adhesion between the PTFE material and copper ensures strong interconnects in multilayer circuit designs.

5. Impedance Control:

• The consistent dielectric properties of the DiClad® 870/880 series ensure that impedance can be tightly controlled, which is crucial for signal integrity in high-frequency applications like RF circuits and microwave systems.

Applications of DiClad® 870/880 Series Laminates:

1. High-Frequency RF and Microwave Circuits:
   • Satellite communications
   • Radar systems
   • Microwave filters
   • Couplers and dividers
   • Phase shifters
   • Antennas and phased-array antenna systems
2. High-Speed Digital Designs:
   • For applications requiring precise impedance control and low loss for high-speed digital signals, including advanced interconnects and signal routing in multilayer designs.
3. Aerospace and Defense:
   • Due to their excellent mechanical and electrical stability, the DiClad® 870/880 laminates are ideal for military and aerospace applications, where performance under extreme conditions is critical.
4. Microwave Power Amplifiers:
   • Used in systems requiring high-power handling and low loss, such as in telecommunication base stations and broadcasting equipment.

Advantages of DiClad® 870/880 Series Laminates:

• Low Loss and High Efficiency: Their low dissipation factor ensures minimal signal loss, which is crucial for high-frequency signal transmission in demanding applications.
• Stability: With their stable dielectric properties and low CTE, the DiClad® series ensures performance is maintained even under temperature fluctuations and mechanical stress.
• Versatility: Compatible with a wide range of RF, microwave, and high-speed digital circuit designs, making it a versatile choice for various industries.
• Moisture Resistance: The PTFE base material provides inherent resistance to moisture absorption, ensuring stable performance in humid environments.
• Ease of Fabrication: These laminates are easy to process using conventional PCB manufacturing methods, simplifying the design and production of complex high-frequency circuits.

The DiClad® 870/880 Series are ideal solutions for high-frequency and microwave applications requiring low signal loss, stable dielectric performance, and mechanical durability. These laminates are perfectly suited for a wide range of RF and microwave circuits, from telecommunications and satellite systems to military and aerospace applications. Their ability to maintain stable performance across a broad temperature range and frequency spectrum makes them a preferred choice for advanced, high-performance electronic designs.