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devices etc. where flexibility is required. FPCs use thin and flexible
polymer materials as the base substrate unlike rigid printed circuit boards
(PCBs). However, this flexibility also makes FPCs prone to bending and
This article will provide a detailed overview of FPC stiffeners – their role,
applications.
An FPC stiffener is a relatively thick, rigid structure that is fixed to the FPC
stresses. They also provide stiffness for connectors and interface points to
external devices.
FPC stiffeners are commonly made using materials like stainless steel,
FR4, polyimide and acrylics. Adhesives such as epoxies and acrylics are
used to bond the stiffener securely to the FPC. The stiffener often includes
holes and cutouts to allow mounting of ICs, connectors, buttons and other
components.
help overcome:
Display driver ICs are sensitive to bending stresses due to the brittle
bending.
without short circuits due to touch. Open areas can be kept flexible.
Plastics
Acrylics like PMMA provide good moisture and chemical resistance along
with stiffness and stability. PMMA stiffeners retain flexibility and do not
become brittle over time. They adhere well to FPC substrates using acrylic
LCP (liquid crystal polymer) grades like Zenite offer the best temperature
resistance (>240°C) and stiffness among plastic options. LCP has excellent
Metals
and corrosion resistance while being lighter than steel. It is also low cost
and easy to fabricate, but not as rigid as steel for the same thickness.
the FPC copper traces without plating. But copper is prone to corrosion
soldered and is mainly used as leadframes for ICs rather than stiffeners.
Composites
Being fiberglass reinforced epoxy, it bonds well with the FPC substrate.
However, FR-4 absorbs moisture and is not suitable for all environments.
280oC. They have very low outgassing and moisture absorption. But
Carbon fiber composites offer extremely high rigidity for their weight,
exceeding 200°C. The high cost of carbon fiber is the main deterrent.
guides required stiffness. This helps select the material and thickness.
FPC.
FPC material and layers – More layers and thicker dielectric require higher
include:
Soldering – For metal stiffeners, solder paste can attach and electrically
ground it. Reflow attaches stiffener but risks heat damage to FPC
and removal.
Screws – Screws passing through clearance holes in the FPC substrate can
reworkability.
Riveting – Rivets installed in the stiffener are peened over onto the FPC
benefits include:
Display driver FPCs – Stiffeners reinforce areas under driver ICs and
and shocks over long device lifetimes make stiffeners essential for
sensors flexible.
mechanical endurance.
shocks.
reliability
FPC
processes
without shorts
FAQs
stiffener.
Not always – standoffs can create an airgap between stiffener and FPC to
to 1mm range. Stainless steel can be as thin as 0.1mm but plastics need to
The Flex PCB stiffener refers to a stiffener attached to the back of the FPC
application.
biggest feature of FPC, but due to its soft structure, when connecting a
But why do you want to put a stiffener? There are three main reasons for
shown in the right side of Figure 1, when the connector mounted on the
FPC is inserted and removed, the FPC is soft, so external force is applied to
may fall off directly. Similarly, since the copper foil portion (pad) of the FPC
may also easily fall off from the underlying structure, the base portion.
If the reinforcing plate is not attached during reflow soldering, the FPC will
sometimes bends, which causes the mounting failure. (parts fall off)
In order to keep the mounting surface flat and securely mounted, the
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https://www.raypcb.com/the-importance-of-fpc-stiffener/