High Frequency CuClad 217 Copper Clad Laminate

CuClad® laminates are composite materials composed of woven fiberglass and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), engineered specifically for deployment as printed circuit board (PCB) substrates. By precisely regulating the fiberglass-to-PTFE ratio, CuClad laminates deliver a diversified product portfolio: ranging from variants with ultra-low dielectric constant and loss tangent to highly reinforced grades optimized for enhanced dimensional stability.

Compared with non-woven fiberglass-reinforced PTFE laminates of equivalent dielectric constants, the woven fiberglass reinforcement in CuClad products confers superior dimensional stability. The consistent, tightly controlled PTFE coating process applied to the fiberglass cloth enables Rogers to supply laminates with a broader spectrum of dielectric constant options, as well as improved dielectric constant uniformity relative to comparable non-woven fiberglass-reinforced alternatives. These performance attributes position CuClad as a preferred material solution for fabricating filters, couplers, and low-noise amplifiers.

A defining characteristic of CuClad laminates is their cross-ply construction: successive layers of PTFE-coated fiberglass plies are oriented at 90° to one another. This unique design ensures true electrical and mechanical isotropy across the XY plane—a feature exclusive to CuClad laminates that no other woven or non-woven fiberglass-reinforced PTFE laminates on the market can match. For certain phased array antenna applications, designers have verified that this level of isotropy is a critical performance prerequisite.

CuClad 217 (with a dielectric constant Er of 2.17–2.20) leverages a low fiberglass-to-PTFE ratio to achieve the minimum dielectric constant and dissipation factor among all fiberglass-reinforced PTFE laminates. Combined, these properties facilitate faster signal propagation speeds and elevated signal-to-noise ratios.

Features & Benefits
-Cross-ply woven fiberglass structure, with alternating plies oriented at 90° to each other
-High PTFE-to-glass ratio
-Superior dielectric constant uniformity versus comparable non-woven fiberglass-reinforced laminates
-Electrical and mechanical isotropy in the XY plane
-Ultra-low signal loss
-Ideal for circuits sensitive to dielectric constant (Er) variations

Typical Applications
-Military electronics systems (including radars, electronic countermeasures (ECM), and electronic support measures (ESM))
-Microwave components (such as low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), filters, and couplers)