Printed Circuit Boards (PCB)

Context: The conflict in the Middle East has triggered a global supply chain crisis, causing printed circuit board (PCB) prices to surge by as much as 40% in April 2026 due to the disruption of critical raw materials like PPE resin.

                                                           

AboutPrinted Circuit Boards (PCB):

What It Is?

• A rigid or flexible board used to electrically connect and mechanically support electronic components using conductive tracks, pads, and other features etched from one or more sheet layers of copper.

Raw Materials Used:

• Resins: High-purity Polyphenyleneether (PPE) and epoxy resins serve as critical base materials for laminates.
• Copper Foil: Conductive material that typically accounts for approximately 60% of total raw material costs.
• Glass Fiber: Used as a reinforcing material within the substrate to provide strength and insulation.

Manufacturing Process:

• Lamination: Base materials like resin and glass fiber are bonded together to create the substrate.
• Etching: Excess copper is removed from the board to leave behind only the specific conductive pathways (traces) required for the circuit.
• Multi-layering: High-end boards, particularly for AI servers, involve stacking multiple layers of circuitry to increase complexity and performance.

Key Features:

• High-Purity Substrates: Advanced boards require specialized resins (like PPE) to maintain signal integrity in high-speed applications.
• Thermal Resistance: Designed to withstand the heat generated by powerful processors and chips.
• Scalability: Can range from simple single-layer designs to complex multi-layer structures costing thousands of dollars per square meter.
• Reliability: Provides a stable and permanent platform for soldering components, reducing the risk of loose wires or short circuits.

Applications:

• Consumer Electronics: Found in nearly all devices, including smartphones and computers.
• Advanced Infrastructure: Essential for AI servers used by cloud service providers.
• Industrial Use: Integrated into factory automation and large-scale manufacturing equipment.
• Semiconductor Support: Serves as the interface for components produced by companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, AMD, and Nvidia.