PCB copper thickness refers to the measurement of the copper layer's thickness on a printed circuit board and plays a vital role in determining electrical conductivity, heat dissipation, and overall performance of the PCB.
Copper thickness is commonly measured in ounces (oz), representing the weight of copper per square foot (oz/ft²) or in micrometers (μm). The standard copper thickness options for PCBs range from 0.5 oz (17 μm) to 3 oz (105 μm), although custom thicknesses can be achieved for specific requirements. The thickness of copper used in PCBs has a significant impact on the overall performance and reliability of the board.
How to Select PCB Copper Thickness
There are two key elements to consider when determining optimal PCB copper thickness. The first is the current capacity of the barrel for acceptable heat rise. The second is the mechanical strength determined by the copper thickness, hole-size and whether or not there are any support vias.
You don’t always need to specify a copper thickness other than a standard value. The typical PCB copper thickness on a copper-clad laminate will be 0.5 oz/sq ft or 1.0 oz/sq ft, although they can generally procure heavier copper as needed, or they can plate up exposed copper to a desired thickness if needed. These additional processing steps or materials will require some additional costs and time, but they are not so difficult that any PCB fabricator can’t handle such an order.
