Home - Newly shipped PCBs - WL-CT338 and FR4 High Frequency Circuit Board 4-Layer 1.47mm Hybrid PCB for Aerospace and Radar Systems

WL-CT338 and FR4 High Frequency Circuit Board 4-Layer 1.47mm Hybrid PCB for Aerospace and Radar Systems

Printed Circuit Boards are custom-made products; the images and specifications provided are for reference only.

 

 

1. Product Overview

This 4-layer rigid PCB adopts a hybrid dielectric stackup combining 0.305mm WL-CT338 laminate on the top layer, three pieces of 0.185mm FR4 prepreg in the middle, and 0.5mm TG170°C FR4 substrate on the bottom layer, with a total pressed thickness of 1.47mm. The board dimension is 175mm × 121mm, with a quantity of 10 pieces.

It applies differentiated copper weight design: 0.5oz finished copper for inner layers and 1oz finished copper for outer layers. Both top and bottom sides are coated with green solder mask and printed with white silkscreen legend, and the whole board is finished with ENIG surface treatment. Combining the high-frequency performance of WL-CT338 ceramic-filled composite material and the excellent processability of standard FR4, WL-CT338 multilayer PCB features stable electrical performance, reliable thermal resistance and outstanding machinability. WL-CT338 4-Layer 1.47mm laminate PCB is widely deployed in aerospace, radar, satellite communication and high-power RF amplifier systems.

2. Core Product Specifications

Specification Item

Technical Details

Layer Count

4-Layer Hybrid High Frequency Rigid PCB

Overall Pressed Thickness

1.47mm

Stackup Configuration

Top: 0.305mm WL-CT338Middle: 3 × 0.185mm FR4 PPBottom: 0.5mm TG170°C FR4

Finished Copper Weight

Inner layers: 0.5oz; Outer layers: 1oz

Board Dimension & Quantity

175mm × 121mm, 10 PCS

Surface Finish

ENIG

Solder Mask

Top & Bottom: Green Solder Mask

Silkscreen

Top & Bottom: White Legend

 

3. PCB Stackup Structure

The 4-layer structure adopts a scientific hybrid collocation of WL-CT338 high-frequency material and standard FR4 materials, which balances high-frequency electrical performance, mechanical strength and production cost. It supports multi-lamination processing and fits the manufacturing requirements of complex multilayer circuits.

  • Outer Copper Layer 1 (1oz)
  • Dielectric: 0.305mm WL-CT338
  • Inner Copper Layer 1 (0.5oz)
  • Dielectric: 3 × 0.185mm FR4 Prepreg
  • Inner Copper Layer 2 (0.5oz)
  • Dielectric: 0.5mm TG170°C FR4
  • Outer Copper Layer 2 (1oz)
  •  Total Thickness: 1.47mm

 

 

4. Production & Process Advantages

  • Dual Material Hybrid Design: Integrates WL-CT338 high-frequency substrate and TG170°C FR4, realizing perfect combination of low-loss RF performance and FR4 mature processing technology.
  • Differentiated Copper Foil Design: Matches 0.5oz inner copper and 1oz outer copper to adapt to different current-carrying and signal transmission demands of inner and outer circuits.
  • Uniform Surface Treatment: Dual-side green solder mask with white legend provides clear marking and full protection against oxidation and short circuit.
  • Universal Process Compatibility: Processed following standard FR4 production workflows, easy for dense holes and fine trace fabrication, suitable for mass production.
  • High Thermal Reliability: The bottom FR4 substrate with TG 170°C cooperates with high-TG WL-CT338, maintaining stable structure during multiple lamination and thermal cycling.

5. Introduction of WL-CT Series & WL-CT338 Copper Clad Laminate

WL-CT series are thermoset high-frequency copper clad laminates composed of organic polymer, ceramic fillers and fiberglass cloth. Formulated with hydrocarbon resin, composite ceramics and reinforced fiberglass, WL-CT material family delivers excellent low-loss characteristics to meet stringent high-frequency design demands.

Different from traditional PTFE substrates, WL-CT series laminate features FR4-equivalent processability, bringing more stable and consistent circuit performance while simplifying manufacturing procedures. It acts as a cost-effective alternative to imported high-frequency laminates.

Benefiting from the inherent properties of hydrocarbon resin and composite ceramics, the material boasts stable dielectric parameters against temperature change and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Its glass transition temperature exceeds 280°C, delivering prominent high-temperature resistance.

The WL-CT series offers diversified dielectric constant options: 3.00, 3.30, 3.38, 3.48, 4.10 and 6.15, supporting customized selection for various high-frequency scenarios. It can be paired with standard ED copper foil or reversed RTF copper foil. The RTF copper foil version features superior PIM performance, lower conductor loss and insertion loss. With adhesive backing, RTF copper foil increases material thickness by 0.018mm (0.7mil) and achieves strong bonding force.

In addition, WL-CT series can be combined with aluminum base to develop aluminum-based high-frequency substrates. Owning excellent mechanical and physical properties, the material supports repeated lamination, ideal for multilayer boards, high-layer-count PCBs and backplanes. It also presents remarkable machinability for dense vias and ultra-fine circuit traces.

 

6. Key Features of WL-CT338 Material

  • Narrow dielectric constant tolerance and ultra-low dissipation factor for pure high-frequency signal transmission
  • Thermoset hydrocarbon-ceramic resin system, superior PCB processability and heat resistance
  • Excellent temperature stability of dielectric constant, with minor parameter drift under varying temperatures
  • X/Y-axis CTE well matched with copper foil, plus low Z-axis CTE, ensuring dimensional stability and reliable plated holes
  • Ultra-high Tg over 280°C, retaining stable dimension and hole quality under long-term high temperature
  • Higher thermal conductivity than conventional thermoplastic high-frequency materials, well suited for high-power applications
  • Mature commercial production, available for large-batch manufacturing with high cost performance
  • Outstanding radiation resistance; dielectric and physical properties remain stable after high-dose radiation exposure
  • Low outgassing performance, fully compliant with vacuum outgassing standards for aerospace applications

7. WL-CT338 Datasheet

Item

Test Condition

Unit

WL-CT338

Typical Dielectric Constant

10GHz

/

3.38

Design Dielectric Constant

10GHz

/

3.55

Dielectric Constant Tolerance

/

/

±0.05

Typical Dissipation Factor

2GHz

/

0.0023

Typical Dissipation Factor

10GHz

/

0.0029

Typical Dissipation Factor

20GHz

/

0.0038

Temperature Coefficient of Dielectric Constant

-55℃ ~ 150℃

PPM/℃

45

Peel Strength (1 OZ ED Copper Foil)

1 OZ ED Copper Foil

N/mm

1.0

Peel Strength (1 OZ RTF Copper Foil)

1 OZ RTF Copper Foil

N/mm

0.72

Volume Resistivity

Normal Temperature

MΩ·cm

6×10⁹

Surface Resistivity

Normal Temperature

7×10⁸

Dielectric Strength (Z-axis)

5KW, 500V/s

KV/mm

31

Breakdown Voltage (XY-axis)

5KW, 500V/s

KV

30

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (X, Y-axis)

-55℃ ~ 288℃

ppm/℃

14~16

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (Z-axis)

-55℃ ~ 288℃

ppm/℃

50

Thermal Stress

288℃, 10s, 3 cycles

/

No Delamination

Water Absorption

23.5±2℃, 24h

%

0.04

Density

Normal Temperature

g/cm³

1.78

Continuous Operating Temperature

Temperature Chamber

-55 ~ +260

Thermal Conductivity (Z-axis)

/

W/(M·K)

0.70

PIM Value (Matched with RTF Copper Foil)

Matched with RTF Copper Foil

dBc

≤-158

Flame Retardancy

UL-94

Class

Non-flame retardant

Glass Transition Temperature (TG)

Standard Condition

280

Thermal Decomposition Temperature (TD)

Initial Value

421

Halogen Content

/

/

Halogen-free

Material Composition

/

/

Hydrocarbon, Ceramic and Fiberglass Cloth

 8. Typical Application Fields

  • Aerospace equipment, spaceborne & cabin devices, airborne aircraft electronics
  • Microwave circuits, common antennas and phase-sensitive antennas
  • Early warning radar, airborne radar and other radar systems
  • Phased array antennas and beam forming networks
  • Satellite communication and navigation systems
  • RF power amplifiers and high-power microwave modules

9. Product Overall Summary

WL-CT338 4-layer 1.47mm ENIG PCB is a hybrid high-frequency rigid board combining WL-CT338 ceramic-filled high-frequency CCL and TG170°C FR4 materials. With customized inner/outer copper weight, standard FR4 processing compatibility and dual-side green solder mask & white legend design, this product integrates low-loss high-frequency performance, superior heat resistance and high structural reliability.

Supported by WL-CT series’ advantages including high Tg, matched CTE, radiation resistance and low outgassing, the PCB is an ideal solution for aerospace, various radar systems, phased array antennas, satellite communication and high-power amplifiers. It realizes high performance and cost efficiency, and can fully replace equivalent imported high-frequency circuit boards.

 

TagsWL-CT338 Multilayer PCB, WL-CT338 High Frequency PCB, Hybrid FR4 PCB, High Power Amplifier PCB, Thermoset Hydrocarbon Ceramic Laminate, Low Loss RF PCB, High Tg 280°C PCB, Aerospace Radar PCB, Phase Sensitive Antenna PCB, Satellite Navigation PCB, Airborne Radar PCB,  Low Outgassing Aerospace PCB, Radiation Resistant PCB

 

 

 

产品导航