PCB Materials / Specialty & Customer-Specified Materials
PCB Fabrication with Specialty Laminates and Customer-Specified Materials
PCBELEC manufactures bare PCBs using specialty laminates and customer-specified material grades, including high-CTI, high-speed and high-frequency materials.
Provide your required grade, construction and fabrication files to confirm material sourcing and the applicable prototype or production scope.
- Specified laminate grades
- Bare PCB fabrication
- Customer-approved substitutions
What Specialty and Customer-Specified Materials Mean
Some PCB projects require a particular laminate family or an exact material grade. PCBELEC uses these specified materials to fabricate bare PCBs; we do not manufacture the laminates themselves.
01 / Material Requirements
Specialty Laminates
Specialty materials are specified when a project requires properties or a material system beyond its standard laminate construction.
- High-CTI material requirements
- High-speed and low-loss laminate grades
- High-frequency material systems
02 / Customer Definition
Specified Brands and Grades
A customer-specified material may be defined in the fabrication drawing, an approved stackup, a material specification or purchasing requirements.
- Named material manufacturer and full grade
- Approved core and bonding material combinations
- Documented restrictions on substitutions
03 / Our Manufacturing Role
Bare PCB Fabrication
PCBELEC manufactures the PCB using the agreed material and fabrication requirements. Material sourcing and the proposed construction are reviewed for the requested project.
- Manufacturing review of customer-provided files
- Confirmation of material and construction availability
- Fabrication to approved project requirements
Specialty Material Coverage for PCB Fabrication
Our fabrication capability reference includes the representative materials below. We use these laminates to manufacture bare PCBs, with the specified grade, construction and order scope confirmed for each quotation.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Material Category | Representative Grades | Recorded Fabrication Scope | Confirm for the Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-CTI Laminates | Shengyi S1151G, S1600 Kingboard KB6160C |
Prototype and production columns
These grades are listed in both scope columns
of the capability reference. | Full grade, required material classification, laminate thickness, construction and supporting documentation. |
| Project-Specified Grade | Shengyi SH260 |
Prototype and production columns
Listed in both scope columns of the capability reference. | Governing material specification, intended construction and any project-specific qualification or approval requirements. |
| High-Speed Laminate Grades | MEG4, MEG6, MEG7 TU-872, TU-883, TU-933 EM-828G, EM-888K, EM-891 |
Prototype and production columns
These representative entries appear in both scope columns. | Exact supplier grade and variant, core and bonding materials, copper requirements and customer-defined stackup. |
| Additional Specified Laminates | Isola FR408HR, FR406 Isola I-Speed, I-Tera MT40, Tachyon 100G |
Prototype and production columns
These entries are listed in both scope columns.
The material name alone does not define circuit performance. | Complete material designation, specified properties, thickness and compatible construction requirements. |
| High-Frequency Laminates | Rogers 4003, 4350 Shengyi S7136 |
Prototype and production columns
Listed in both scope columns using the designations shown
in the capability reference. | Full current product designation, material thickness, copper type and applicable bonding material. |
| Other Named RF Grades | Arlon 25N, plus other individually listed RF grades |
Grade-specific scope review
Arlon 25N is explicitly listed in the prototype column.
Production coverage is not established by that entry alone. | Exact grade, sourcing availability and prototype or production scope for the requested construction. |
When to Specify a Specialty Laminate
Use a specified-material fabrication route when the required laminate is part of the project's controlled definition. Tell us what must remain fixed and which items may be reviewed.
01 / Drawing-Controlled Material
An Exact Brand or Grade Is Required
The fabrication drawing, customer contract or material specification may name the required supplier and grade. That designation becomes part of the manufacturing requirement.
- Provide the complete material name and suffix.
- Identify the governing document and revision.
- State whether alternatives may be proposed.
02 / Defined Material Properties
A Specific Classification Must Be Met
A project may require a high-CTI grade or another defined material property. The requirement should identify its supporting specification, not only a broad material label.
- State the required property or classification.
- Identify the applicable material evidence.
- Separate material data from finished-PCB acceptance.
03 / Approved Electrical Construction
A High-Speed or RF Stackup Is Defined
When the customer has approved a laminate system and stackup, the specified core, bonding material and copper requirements should be preserved through fabrication review.
- Provide the customer-defined stackup.
- Identify core and bonding material grades.
- Flag controlled copper and electrical requirements.
04 / Production Continuity
An Existing Material Must Be Retained
Repeat production may require the same approved material and construction used in the qualified project. Sourcing changes should not introduce an undocumented substitution.
- Provide the approved material and construction record.
- Identify restrictions on supplier or grade changes.
- Define the customer approval route for alternatives.
High-CTI and High-Speed Material Requirements
A material designation starts the discussion, but the required classification and construction complete it. Provide the grade-specific requirements that PCBELEC must follow when fabricating your bare PCB.
01 / High-CTI Materials
Define the Required Material Classification
Our capability reference includes high-CTI grades such as Shengyi S1151G, S1600 and Kingboard KB6160C. Identify the exact grade and the material evidence required for your project.
- State the required CTI classification and governing material specification.
- Identify the laminate and prepreg constructions covered by the requirement.
- Provide the required thicknesses and approved layer structure.
- List any certificates or supporting documents needed with the order.
CTI is a material tracking-resistance classification. It is not interchangeable with Tg, dielectric withstand voltage or finished-product safety approval.
02 / High-Speed Materials
Preserve the Approved Laminate System
For a specified high-speed material, provide the approved construction rather than the product family alone. Core, prepreg and copper requirements should be defined together.
- Identify the complete laminate grade and any required variant.
- Specify core and prepreg grades, glass styles and resin content where controlled.
- State copper foil type, thickness and any controlled surface-profile requirement.
- Include the customer-defined stackup and applicable finished-PCB electrical acceptance requirements.
A material name or broad speed category does not guarantee circuit performance. Compare supplier data at the relevant frequency and test conditions.
Material Sourcing and Substitution Control
A specified-material PCB order should retain the approved material definition from quotation through fabrication. Availability issues and proposed alternatives need clear decisions, not silent substitutions.
Confirm the Exact Requirement
Provide the full manufacturer and grade designation together with the controlled construction. Identify which material requirements are mandatory.
- Material grade and relevant document revision
- Core, prepreg, thickness and copper requirements
- Permission or prohibition for proposed alternatives
Review Sourcing and Fabrication
PCBELEC reviews the requested material combination, manufacturing requirements and order scope before confirming the quotation. Any unresolved item should be identified.
- Material availability for the specified construction
- Compatibility with the requested fabrication requirements
- Quantity, documentation and delivery implications
Approve Changes Before Release
If the specified material is unavailable or an alternative is proposed, the change returns to the customer for review. Production follows the approved, updated requirements.
- Identify the proposed change and affected requirements
- Obtain customer approval and any required validation
- Update the controlled fabrication documentation
This page describes PCB fabrication using specified materials, not laminate retail supply. Customer-supplied raw material requires a separate agreement and should not be shipped without prior confirmation.
Prototype and Production Scope
Material coverage and order scope should be reviewed together. Our capability reference distinguishes prototype and production entries; the requested grade and construction determine what can be confirmed for your order.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Material Record | What the Reference Establishes | What to Confirm for Your Project |
|---|---|---|
| Grade Listed in Both Scope Columns | The reference lists the material for prototype and small-to-medium production categories. Examples include the named high-CTI grades and representative high-speed grades shown above. | Required material variant, thickness combination, fabrication specifications, quantity and delivery schedule. The listing does not cover every possible construction. |
| Grade Explicitly Listed for Prototype Only | The reference provides a prototype entry but does not establish the same grade's production scope. Arlon 25N is one example. | Whether the requested production quantity and construction can be supported. Do not infer production coverage from the prototype entry alone. |
| Family Listed Without a Complete Grade Definition | A family-level entry indicates a material category, not approval of every product or variant sold under that family or brand. | Full current product designation, laminate and bonding material combination, sourcing and order-specific fabrication compatibility. |
| Grade Not Included in the Reference | The reference does not establish support for that particular material. It is not a complete statement of every possible project. | Submit the material data and fabrication package for sourcing and process review before relying on availability or production support. |
What to Submit for a Specified-Material PCB Quote
Provide the material designation together with the approved construction and fabrication files. A clear package helps PCBELEC review sourcing, manufacturing requirements and the requested order scope.
Swipe or scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| RFQ Item | Information to Provide | What Needs Confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Part and Revision | Part number, drawing revision and the applicable material or purchasing specification. | All submitted files must describe the same controlled revision. |
| Manufacturer and Grade | Full material manufacturer name, product grade, suffix and required variant, with the relevant data sheet. | Identify whether the exact grade is mandatory or alternatives may be proposed. |
| Core and Bonding Materials | Specified core and prepreg grades, glass styles, resin content or other construction details where controlled. | Confirm the availability and compatibility of the requested material combination. |
| Thickness and Copper | Core thicknesses, dielectric requirements, copper weights or thicknesses, foil type and applicable tolerances. | Distinguish starting copper from finished copper requirements. |
| Approved Stackup | Customer-defined layer sequence, material assignments and controlled dielectric dimensions. | Flag any unresolved stackup item for customer clarification. |
| Fabrication Files | Circuit artwork, drill information, fabrication drawing and relevant mechanical files in agreed formats. | Define units, layer orientation, critical dimensions and the controlling document. |
| Critical Requirements | Controlled impedance requirements where applicable, critical geometry, surface finish and acceptance criteria. | Confirm manufacturing and verification scope for the specified construction. |
| Material Evidence | Required certificates, traceability, material documentation and inspection reports. | Confirm the specific records available and included in the quotation. |
| Quantity and Schedule | Prototype or production quantity, delivery destination and target delivery date. | Review sourcing and fabrication requirements before confirming the schedule. |
| Substitution Permission | State whether substitutions are prohibited or may be submitted for customer review. | Define the approval route and update controlled documents before releasing an approved change. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about specified material grades, sourcing, substitutions and the requirements for bare PCB fabrication.
Does PCBELEC manufacture specialty laminates?
No. PCBELEC manufactures bare PCBs using laminate materials sourced from material manufacturers. We do not produce laminates or develop custom material formulations.
This page describes our material-related PCB fabrication scope, not a laminate manufacturing or retail service.
Can I specify a material manufacturer and exact grade?
Yes. Provide the full manufacturer and grade designation, including any suffix or variant, together with the approved construction and fabrication files.
PCBELEC reviews sourcing and manufacturing compatibility before confirming the order. State whether the exact material is mandatory or alternatives may be proposed.
Does a listed material mean every thickness is available?
No. A material entry does not establish availability of every laminate thickness, copper option, prepreg construction or quantity.
Provide the required combination so availability and fabrication compatibility can be confirmed for the project.
Are all listed grades available for production quantities?
Not automatically. The capability reference distinguishes prototype and production entries. A prototype listing alone does not establish the same grade's production scope.
Confirm the requested grade, construction, quantity and delivery conditions before relying on production availability.
Can an alternative laminate be used without approval?
No. A proposed change to a customer-specified material requires customer approval before fabrication.
Similar properties or a shared manufacturer do not make another grade an automatically approved replacement. Record approved changes in the controlled project documents.
What if my specified material is not in the capability reference?
Submit the full material designation, relevant data sheet and fabrication package for review.
An unlisted grade is neither automatically supported nor automatically excluded. Sourcing and process compatibility must be established for the proposed project.
Do I need to specify the bonding material as well as the core?
Yes, where the bonding material is part of the controlled construction. Provide the approved prepreg or bonding grade and any required construction details.
If the requirement is unresolved, identify it for review instead of assuming that the core grade fully defines the multilayer material system.
What files are needed for a customer-specified material quotation?
Provide the material designation, customer-defined stackup, circuit artwork, drill information, fabrication drawing and relevant mechanical files.
Include quantity, acceptance requirements, requested documentation and substitution permissions. Review the material RFQ checklist for the full information categories.
Specified Materials. Bare PCB Manufacturing.
Bring Your Specified Material Requirements to PCB Fabrication
Provide the required laminate grade, approved construction and fabrication files. PCBELEC will review material sourcing and manufacturing compatibility for the requested bare PCB project.
- Full material grade
- Approved stackup
- Fabrication files
- Quantity and acceptance requirements
PCBELEC manufactures bare PCBs using agreed materials; we do not manufacture laminates or provide PCB design or assembly services. Material substitutions require customer approval before fabrication.
