Double-Sided Copper Clad Laminate with Rogers RO3203
The double-sided copper clad laminate built with Rogers RO3203 is an advanced material specifically designed for high-frequency RF and microwave applications. Its 10mil (0.254mm) RO3203 substrate, reinforced with woven glass fibers, ensures exceptional mechanical stability, low dielectric loss, and uniform performance across a wide frequency range. This laminate is ideal for applications requiring precision, reliability, and high-frequency performance, such as automotive radar systems, satellite antennas, and wireless communication modules.

Key Material Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Base Material | Rogers RO3203 |
| Copper Layers | Double-sided, 1oz (35μm) |
| Dielectric Thickness | 10mil (0.254mm) |
| Finished Laminate Thickness | 0.35mm |
| Minimum Trace/Space | 4/7 mils |
| Minimum Hole Size | 0.2mm |
| Thermal Decomposition (Td) | >500°C |
| Surface Finish | Electroless Nickel Electroless Palladium and Immersion Gold (ENEPIG) |
| Solder Mask | Top: Green, Bottom: None |
| Silkscreen | Top: White, Bottom: None |
Introduction to Rogers RO3203
Rogers RO3203 is a ceramic-filled PTFE laminate, enhanced with woven fiberglass reinforcement, which provides dimensional stability and mechanical rigidity. It belongs to the RO3000 series, offering improved mechanical stability over other materials in the series. With a dielectric constant (Dk) of 3.02 ± 0.04 and a dissipation factor (Df) of 0.0016 at 10GHz, this laminate is optimized for low-loss, high-frequency circuits that require consistency and reliability.
Why Rogers RO3203 Stands Out
- Low Dielectric Loss: Ensures minimal signal degradation, enabling efficient operation at frequencies exceeding 40GHz.
- Mechanical Stability: Woven glass reinforcement provides dimensional stability during manufacturing and operation.
- Cost-Effective: Offers a competitive price point compared to other high-performance laminates, making it ideal for volume production.
- Thermal Reliability: Can withstand extreme heat with a high decomposition temperature (Td > 500°C).
Key Features of Rogers RO3203 Copper Clad Laminate
- 3.02 ± 0.04 at 10GHz, providing excellent electrical performance and enabling precise signal propagation.
- 0.0016 at 10GHz, ensuring minimal energy loss and stable signal performance over a wide frequency range.
- High thermal decomposition temperature (Td > 500°C) ensures reliability in high-power and high-temperature environments.
- Offers improved rigidity and dimensional stability, making the laminate easier to handle during manufacturing.
- With a moisture absorption rate of <0.05%, the material maintains consistent electrical performance even in humid conditions.
- Allows for fine line etching tolerances, critical for high-density and precision designs.
- Matched Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE): X-axis: 13 ppm/°C, Y-axis: 13 ppm/°C, Z-axis: 58 ppm/°C
- Fully compatible with modern lead-free soldering processes, meeting environmental and manufacturing standards.
Advantages of Rogers RO3203 Double-Sided Laminate
- The combination of a low dissipation factor (Df) and stable dielectric constant (Dk) ensures minimal signal loss and consistent performance, even at frequencies exceeding 40GHz.
- The woven fiberglass reinforcement improves rigidity and dimensional stability, ensuring high production yields and reliable performance over extended lifespans.
- With a 10mil dielectric thickness and a total laminate thickness of 0.35mm, this material is ideal for circuit miniaturization, supporting compact, high-performance designs.
- RO3203 offers a balance between high performance and economical pricing, making it suitable for mass production in industries like automotive, telecommunications, and consumer electronics.
- Matched CTE with Copper: Reduces risks of delamination or warping during manufacturing.
- Smooth Surface Finish: Supports fine-line circuit designs, ensuring higher precision and reliability.
- Lead-Free Compatibility: Ensures compliance with modern, environmentally friendly manufacturing standards.
Applications of Rogers RO3203 Copper Clad Laminate
- Automotive collision avoidance systems
- Automotive global positions satellite antennas
- Wireless telecommunications systems
- Microstrip patch antennas for wireless communications
- Direct broadcast satellites
- Datalink on cable systems
- Remote meter readers
- Power backplanes
- LMDS and wireless broadband
- Base station infrastructure
Processing Advantages
- The low CTE (13 ppm/°C) ensures excellent compatibility with copper, reducing risks of warping or delamination during thermal processes.
- With a thermal decomposition temperature (Td > 500°C), the laminate is compatible with lead-free soldering processes, ensuring long-term reliability.
- With a moisture absorption rate of <0.05%, the laminate maintains consistent electrical performance in humid or challenging environments.
- The smooth surface finish supports fine-line etching, making it suitable for high-density circuit layouts in advanced designs.
Conclusion
The double-sided copper clad laminate with Rogers RO3203 is a high-performance material designed for high-frequency RF and microwave applications. Its low dielectric loss, high thermal reliability, and dimensional stability make it ideal for automotive radar, satellite communication, and wireless infrastructure. While optimized for high-frequency, high-reliability designs, its limited layers and specialized applications may restrict its use for general-purpose or low-cost designs.