The DiClad® 870/880 Series are high-performance PTFE-based laminates designed for High Frequency Laminates and microwave applications, particularly in the RF (Radio Frequency), microwave circuits, and high-speed digital designs. These laminates are engineered to provide low loss, stable dielectric properties, and mechanical strength, making them ideal for use in demanding environments such as telecommunications, aerospace, and defense.

Key Features of DiClad® 870/880 Series Laminates:

1. Material Composition:

• PTFE Resin: The Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) matrix provides excellent electrical properties, particularly at high frequencies. PTFE is known for its low dielectric loss, low dissipation factor, and stable dielectric constant.
• Reinforced with Woven Fiberglass: This reinforcement adds mechanical strength and dimensional stability, helping the laminates withstand high processing temperatures and mechanical stress during fabrication and use.

2. Electrical Properties:

• Dielectric Constant (Dk):
  • DiClad® 870: Typically 2.55 ± 0.05 at 10 GHz. This value provides a stable, predictable impedance for high-frequency applications.
  • DiClad® 880: Typically 2.65 ± 0.05 at 10 GHz. This slightly higher Dk is useful for certain applications requiring a slightly different impedance and frequency performance.
• Dissipation Factor (Df):
  • Both DiClad® 870 and 880 feature low Df values (typically around 0.0012 to 0.0020), minimizing signal loss in high-frequency circuits. This low loss is critical in high-performance RF and microwave applications where efficiency and signal integrity are paramount.
• Stable Dielectric Properties: The PTFE-based resin ensures that Dk and Df remain stable over a wide range of frequencies, ensuring reliable signal transmission and minimal signal degradation over time.

3. Thermal and Mechanical Properties:

• High Thermal Stability: The DiClad® 870/880 series laminates are capable of handling high temperatures, making them ideal for demanding environments where high-temperature stability is required.
• Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE): Both laminates offer a low CTE, which is essential for multilayer PCB designs to ensure dimensional stability and prevent delamination or misalignment under thermal cycling.
• Moisture Resistance: The inherent moisture resistance of PTFE helps maintain stable dielectric properties, even in humid or wet environments.

4. Fabrication and Processing:

• Easy to Fabricate: These laminates are compatible with standard PCB fabrication processes, such as etching, drilling, and lamination. This compatibility ensures easy integration into high-frequency circuit designs.
• Copper Adhesion: DiClad® 870/880 laminates offer excellent adhesion to copper foils, ensuring reliable electrical connections in both single-layer and multilayer PCB designs.

Applications of DiClad® 870/880 Series Laminates:

1. Microwave and RF Circuits:
   • The DiClad® 870/880 series is ideal for microwave communication systems, such as satellite communications, radar systems, and telecommunications equipment. These laminates provide high performance in low-loss microwave filters, power dividers, and couplers.
2. High-Speed Digital Circuits:
   • They are also used in high-speed digital interconnects, signal routing, and multilayer designs where signal integrity is critical for high-speed data transmission, such as in networking equipment and data centers.
3. Aerospace and Defense:
   • Due to their exceptional performance in extreme conditions, DiClad® 870/880 laminates are often used in aerospace and defense applications, such as radar and communication systems that require stable and reliable operation in harsh environments.
4. Phased Array Antennas:
   • The low-loss characteristics of DiClad® laminates make them perfect for phased array antennas and other high-frequency antenna designs, ensuring minimal signal degradation and consistent performance across a wide frequency range.
5. Power Amplifiers and Switches:
   • These laminates are also utilized in high-power microwave amplifiers, switches, and signal processing equipment, where high efficiency and low loss are critical.

Advantages of DiClad® 870/880 Series Laminates:

• Low Signal Loss: The low dissipation factor (Df) ensures minimal signal degradation, which is crucial for maintaining signal integrity in high-frequency applications.
• Stable Electrical Performance: The laminates offer consistent dielectric properties, ensuring predictable performance in both high-frequency and microwave circuits.
• Mechanical Strength: The woven fiberglass reinforcement gives the laminate the necessary strength to withstand thermal and mechanical stresses during fabrication and use, preventing warping and dimensional instability.
• High Reliability: These laminates offer long-term durability and performance stability, which is especially important in military, aerospace, and telecommunications applications.
• Broad Compatibility: DiClad® 870/880 laminates are compatible with most PCB fabrication methods, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

The DiClad® 870/880 Series are ideal solutions for high-frequency, microwave, and high-speed digital circuits where low signal loss, stable dielectric properties, and mechanical reliability are essential. These laminates are designed for advanced applications in industries like telecommunications, defense, aerospace, and radar systems, where performance and durability are critical. Their excellent thermal stability, low loss characteristics, and ease of fabrication make them a preferred choice for high-performance electronic designs that demand consistent, reliable operation under harsh conditions