Comparing Rigid PCB vs. Rigid Flex PCB vs. Flex PCB

Printed circuit boards, or PCBs, are the circuit boards found in the majority of electronic equipment. The boards sustain the gadget physically and mechanically while also connecting the electronic components.

PCBs are generally built of non-substrate materials with copper circuitry layers. There are three major types of PCBs: Rigid PCB, Flex PCB, and last but certainly not least, the hybrid of both Rigid-Flex PCB.

Although all electronic devices use one or the other form of PCB to operate, most people don’t know which one is used for what and which is the best for whom.

Hence, to educate you today, we are comparing Rigid PCB vs. Rigid Flex PCB vs. Flex PCB so that you can have a better idea regarding which PCB is which and for what purpose they are built and used.

Explaining Rigid PCB

Rigid PCBs are circuit boards with a solid and inflexible design and thus cannot be twisted or bent. They are composed of many layers, including a substrate layer, a copper layer, a solder mask layer, and a silkscreen layer, which are bonded together with glue and heat.

 While some circuit boards are single-sided, double-sided, or multi-layered, rigid PCBs can be any of these, depending on the needs. However, once made, they cannot be amended or changed.

Why Choose Rigid PCB?

Rigid PCBs are a fantastic alternative if you want something that is cost-effective and can be produced in bulk quantities. They are also more robust than other boards, so a rigid PCB with substantial circuit density is an excellent choice if you need a long-lasting circuit board.

Rigid boards are very popular in goods and sectors where components must remain attached, as they can withstand both heat and high degrees of stress.

Use Case of Rigid PCB

Rigid PCBs are found in numerous everyday goods on which we rely for work and communication. Furthermore, they are employed in critical medical equipment, primarily in huge, non-portable devices.

Plus, because of their aluminum substrates, PCBs can resist high temperatures, making them ideal for the aerospace sector, where they are employed in various critical equipment.

Equipment in Which Rigid PCBs Are Used

GPS equipment

Computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones

X-rays

Heart monitors

CAT scans

MRI systems

Airplane cockpit instruments

Temperature sensors

Control tower instruments

 

Explaining Flex PCB

A flexible printed circuit board or Flex PCB has unique features that make it particularly suitable for a variety of applications. A flexible printed circuit (FPC) differs from a rigid circuit board in several ways.

A flex PCB, unlike rigid designs, is made from materials that can bend, providing it better resistance to shocks and movement. They can reduce package weight by up to 75% due to their tiny design.

Why Choose Flex PCB?

They are substantially lighter than rigid PCBs and can fit into unique forms that rigid designs cannot. After each year, the need for more powerful computer technology rises, and buyers from all industries seek higher performance with lighter weight. Hence, the only solution for this problem is Flex PCB.

Use Case of Flex PCB

Flexible PCBs are appropriate for a range of uses; the following are their best examples.

Electronics

Electronics account for one-third of the sales volume for Flex PCBs, which includes printers, scanners, smart gadgets, and other devices. Flex PCBs are necessary for significant electrical capacity without surrendering weight limits as the market drives for smaller, more powerful portable technologies.

Automotive Industry

Vehicles are the second most important market for Flex PCBs. The ordinary automobile now looks much different than it did at the start of the decade, and its hardware has evolved in tandem.

Flex PCBs enable both space allotments, and thermal performance as automobiles continue adding more sensors and electronics for anything from temperature control and GPS software to dashboards and rear-view cameras.

Aerospace

Flex PCBs are ideally suitable for aerospace applications such as satellites due to their extraordinary ability to withstand the stress of severe temperatures and shocks. They can also take on unique forms that are ideal for spaceships and replacing connectors which are more subject to failure.

Medical Equipment

Wearable gadgets have grown increasingly important as medical technology has advanced over the last few decades. Because they can mimic human forms, Flex PCBs provide improved durability for these devices.

Hearing aids, crucial sensors, and other devices employ Flex PCBs to provide excellent performance that can withstand wear and tear.

Equipment in Which Flex PCBs Are Used

Printers

Scanners

Car Temperature Thermostat

GPS

Parking Cameras

Spaceship Devices

Hearing Aids

Heart Sensors

 

Explaining Rigid-Flex PCB

Rigid-Flex PCBs are made up of rigid and flexible circuit boards that are firmly linked together. Rigid-Flex circuit boards, when used correctly, provide optimal solutions for challenging, restricted space settings.

This technique allows for the secure connection of device components while ensuring polarity and contact stability, as well as the reduction of plug and connector components.

Rigid-Flex circuit boards also offer dynamic and mechanical stability, resulting in 3-dimensional design flexibility, easier installation, space savings, and the maintenance of electrical properties. The use of Rigid-Flex circuit boards can lower the overall cost of the finished product.

Why Choose Rigid Flex PCB?

A rigid-flex printed circuit board is distinctive in that the rigid component of the circuitry can be put directly into the application. The flexible part can then be twisted to fit over parts to form another direct connection.

This feature guarantees a stable connection between equipment for improved performance. Due to the bending characteristics of rigid-flex PCBs, some of the most frequent items that integrate rigid-flex PCBs in their design are laptop computers, cellphones, and smart gadgets.

Use Case of Rigid Flex PCB

A rigid-flex PCB is significantly more difficult to create than a traditional rigid PCB. However, rigid-flex PCBs are employed in designs for legitimate reasons, notably when fitting the board into tiny places.

Equipment in Which Rigid-Flex PCBs Are Used

Pacemakers

Digital cameras

Smart jackets

Cell phones

Barcode scanners

CT scans

 

Similarities between Rigid PCB vs. Rigid Flex PCB vs. Flex PCB

Although all circuit boards serve the same basic purpose as a platform for electrical components, the design, and materials used in their fabrication are what sets them apart. Circuit boards are designed specifically for this use.

Differences between Rigid PCB vs. Flex PCB

The most noticeable distinction between rigid and flex PCBs is perhaps deduced from their names. Flex PCBs can be twisted in or tailored to fit within the required system, whereas rigid PCBs are inflexible. When properly built, flexible circuits can be bent for hundreds and thousands of cycles without failure.

Flex boards are more expensive because of their enhanced adaptability, but they are vital for applications with constrained space, such as electronics products, medical equipment, space, and automobile industries.

How Does Rigid Flex Differ From The Other Two?

The rigid-flex PCB, as the name implies, is a hybrid of rigid and flex PCBs that combines the best aspects of each while eliminating several of their specific restrictions.

A rigid-flex PCB combines flexible and rigid materials by placing flexible circuit substrates inside rigid circuit board materials, resulting in a combination of the adaptability of flexible circuits and the stability, strength, and circuit routing density of rigid PCBs.

This hybridization offers up a world of possibilities for considerably more complicated and mechanically demanding designs.

Things to Consider When Choosing A PCB

Now that you know about all three types of PCBs and their similarities and differences. The last topic we would like to discuss are the things you should consider when choosing a PCB.

The following are the most important consideration that can help you choose the correct PCB every time:

Durability

Durability ensures your product is getting its value for money, and for durability, we believe Flex circuits are the most durable PCB because of the reduced weight of the board.

They reduce the danger of shock damage. Because flexible PCBs are made of polyimide, they are also resistant to high temperatures. If your product requires twisting without breaking, both literally and metaphorically, Flex PCB is the way to go.

Cost

Flex PCBs can do wonders for you, but sometimes your pocket doesn’t allow you to have the luxury of them. Consider if flexible PCB expenses are worthwhile while calculating your budget, then decide.

In general, rigid PCBs are less expensive than flexible circuits. So if the size isn't a problem for you and you want to maximize the bang for your buck, then we believe rigid PCBs are a winner for you.

Quality

At the end of the day, the debate ends on the same topic it started on that out of all three PCBs comparison which stands to serve you the best quality?

According to us, it is the Rigid-Flex PCB hybrid because this PCB contains the best of both worlds. So if cost, durability, and other factors are not a major concern for you and you are just looking for the best all-rounder, we believe you don’t need to look any further than Rigid-Flex PCB.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a PCB is a tough task as all of them have pros and cons. Hence, we have compared all three in this article to make your life a little easier to decide which works for you and why.

However, one thing that you should have no doubt about is that regardless of the type, if you are looking for the best PCB manufacturer in the world, then Hemeixin is the place for you. Visit their website today to place your order.