How Thick Is 3 Oz Copper in PCB

RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY
How Thick is 3 oz Copper in PCB?

3 Oz Copper PCB , 105Micron ( 4.1339 Mil ) , When a design use 3 oz
copper , We can call it heavy copper PCB . If base copper is 3oz , then
completed copper will be 4 oz, for multi-layer , Inner 3 oz , the final will be
3oz, When do 3 oz PCB manufacturing, We need take care the solder
mask , because the thick solder mask will flow .
Table of Contents
Introduction
Printed circuit boards (PCBs) form the backbone of electronics, providing
mechanical support and electrical connectivity for components. PCB
copper thickness is a key design parameter that affects current capacity,
electrical/thermal performance and manufacturability.
While 1 oz copper has been the traditional standard thickness, 3 oz copper
boards are being increasingly adopted for high power and performance
designs needing thicker conductors. In this article, we will look at what 3
oz copper PCB thickness means, how it compares to other copper weights,
its applications and advantages, and the design considerations when
working with 3 oz copper boards.
PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Request 3oz Copper PCB Manufacturing Quote Now
What Does 3 oz Copper Mean?
PCB copper thickness is specified by weight in terms of ounces per square
foot (oz/ft2). This refers to the amount of copper foil weight present in one
square foot of board area, excluding the fiberglass dielectric substrate
weight.
Some common PCB copper weights are:
 1/2 oz – 0.5 oz/ft2 (17 μm)
 1 oz – 1 oz/ft2 (35 μm)
 2 oz – 2 oz/ft2 (70 μm)
 3 oz – 3 oz/ft2 (105 μm)
 4 oz – 4 oz/ft2 (140 μm)

So a 3 oz copper PCB has around 3 ounces of copper foil per square foot
on each metal layer. In terms of thickness, 3 oz copper equals
approximately:
 105 μm (micrometers)
 4.2 mil (thousandths of an inch)
 0.105 mm (millimeters)
This is over 3x thicker than standard 1 oz foil.
Why Use Thicker 3 oz Copper?
The trend towards 3 oz copper PCBs is being driven by several factors:
 Higher current capacity – The thicker copper can handle over 3
times the current compared to 1 oz material without overheating.
This enables higher power PCBs.
 Lower losses – Increased copper mass reduces resistive losses and
voltage drops across traces. This improves electrical efficiency.
 Thermal performance – The excellent thermal conductivity of
copper spreads heat over larger board area, keeping components
cooler.
 Finer lines and spaces – 3 oz copper allows very fine trace
geometries and clearances for dense SMT boards.

 High frequency/high speed – Thicker traces reduce impedance
mismatch and electromagnetic radiation for faster circuits.
 Reliability – Heavier copper is more resistant to thermal stress,
electromigration and corrosion over product lifetime.
 High current components – New power devices often need PCBs
exceeding 2 oz copper thickness.
For such reasons, 3 oz copper provides clear advantages over thinner foils
in appropriate applications.
Applications Suited for 3 oz Copper PCBs
Some examples of products and systems that can benefit from upgrading
to 3 oz copper thickness include:
 High power motor drives – Thick 3 oz layers handle large motor
phase currents without overheating.
 Electric vehicle electronics – Low loss and current capacity aid
powertrain and battery management systems.
 Power converters – Enhanced thermal dissipation rating and
ampacity rating in AC-DC and DC-DC converters.
 Power amplifiers – RF power amps for communications systems
need low loss boards to minimize distortion.

 Server/telecom hardware – High speed backplanes and data
storage devices require thicker conductors.
 Medical equipment – Critical devices like MRI scanners and surgical
systems demand maximum reliability under all conditions.
 Defense electronics – Mission-critical systems in extreme
environments are designed with 3+ oz copper for ruggedness.
 Solar inverters – High currents handled with low losses and lower
layer counts.
 LED lighting – Operating at elevated temperatures, thick copper
PCBs keep LEDs cool and efficient.
For such demanding applications, 3 oz copper provides greater
robustness, performance margin and long-term reliability versus standard
1-2 oz foils.
Key Benefits of 3 oz Copper PCBs

The advantages of increasing copper thickness from 1 oz to 3 oz include:
1. Lower Electrical Resistance
Copper’s resistivity is 1.72 x 10<sup>-6</sup> ohm-cm. Increasing
cross-section area by using thicker copper lowers resistance
proportionally. The 3 oz foil offers about 3 times lower trace
resistance than 1 oz material:
Trace Width 1 oz Resistance 3 oz Resistance Resist

10 mil 19.8 mΩ/inch 6.6 mΩ/inch ~67% lower
5 mil 39.6 mΩ/inch 13.2 mΩ/inch ~67% lower
3 mil 66 mΩ/inch 22 mΩ/inch ~67% lower
(Assuming standard 1.4 mil trace thickness. Table values approximate.)
Lower resistance minimizes undesirable power losses on the PCB due to
I<sup>2</sup>R heating and IR voltage drops. This maximizes electrical
efficiency.

2. Increased Current Carrying Capacity
For a given temperature rise, trace current handling capacity increases in
proportion to the square root of the copper cross-sectional area.
Going from 1 oz to 3 oz thick copper almost triples the allowable current
density. For example, a common 10 mil wide trace can handle:
 1 oz: ~1.2 A
 3 oz: ~3 A
This expanded ampacity matches the higher current loads of modern
power electronics. A board’s power handling capability is increased
without needing more layers.
3. Improved Electromagnetic Shielding
With trace signals becoming faster in high speed digital designs,
containing electromagnetic interference (EMI) is critical.
A solid plane or enclosure of thick copper foil provides superior shielding
and isolation against radiated EMI compared to thinner material. 3 oz
copper is very effective at blocking interfering fields.
4. Enhanced Thermal Performance

Copper is the PCB conductor of choice due to its excellent thermal
conductivity (385 W/m-K). This rapidly conducts heat away from hot spots
to cooler areas.
Increasing copper thickness reduces the thermal resistance between
components and board layers. This results in lower component
temperatures for the same heat dissipation levels.
5. Finer Line Resolution and Spacing
The thicker 3 oz copper allows reliably etching very fine trace widths and
clearances down to ~2 mils.
This high density interconnect capability supports complex routing in
compact PCBs and integrating tiny chip components with fine lead pitches.
6. Lower Inductance Wiring
At higher frequencies, conductors exhibit self-inductance which opposes
changes in current. Thicker traces reduce this inductance which otherwise
can distort signals.
3 oz copper wiring has about 3x lower inductance than an equivalent 1 oz
trace. This enhances high frequency AC performance.
7. Improved Signal Integrity

Electrical transmission line effects like reflections become significant at
higher speeds and frequencies.
Thicker 3 oz traces better match characteristic impedances. Along with
lower overall resistance and inductance, this reduces signal degradation in
high speed channels.
8. Lower Layer Counts Possible
By carrying more current on outer layers, 3 oz copper may permit using
fewer inner layers for power distribution on some designs. But enough
should be retained for shielding.
9. Long-Term Reliability
Thicker copper is inherently more resistant to thermal stresses,
electromigration, corrosion, and physical damage. This enhances PCB
durability over product lifetime.
Reliability is especially critical for automotive, medical, military and
aerospace applications where failure is not an option.
Comparison of 3 oz to Standard 1 oz Copper
Here is a summary comparison between typical 1 oz and 3 oz PCB
material properties:

Parameter 1 oz Copper 3 oz Co
Copper Thickness 1 oz/ft2 (35 μm) 3 oz/ft2 (105 μm)
Trace Resistance Higher ~65% lower
Current Capacity Lower ~2.5x higher
Inductance Higher ~2x lower
Thermal Conduction Moderate Improved
EMI Shielding Fair Excellent attenuati
Fine Line Capability 3-4 mil lines/spaces 2-3 mil lines/space
Reliability Moderate Enhanced
Cost Lower Moderately higher
So for high power, high frequency or mission-critical applications, 3 oz
copper provides substantially improved performance over standard 1 oz
foil.
Design Guidelines for 3 oz Copper
To fully utilize the benefits of 3 oz copper in a design, engineers should
follow certain PCB layout practices:
 Employ minimum trace widths based on actual current needs rather
than oversizing out of habit.
 Use space made available for tighter component placement and
routing density. But observe spacing rules.

 Limit the length of low-amplitude high frequency traces as much as
possible.
 Watch for acid traps and spacing violations from tighter lines and
spaces.
 Increase the number of small vias used for connections instead of
fewer larger holes.
 Ensure adequate thermal reliefs for leads, but remove for pads/vias
if suitable.
 Add more copper fills for thermal and EMI shielding purposes if
appropriate.
 In power planes, minimize cut-outs and splits which increase
inductance.
 Account for possible manufacturer inspection issues with very fine
geometries.
 Refine clearance grids, design rules and DFMs to match 3 oz
capabilities.
 Watch for and correct acid traps, necking and over-etching of fine
features.
With careful design practises tailored to the capabilities of 3 oz copper,
PCB engineers can maximize the benefits of this thick copper technology
for their specific application needs.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can 3 oz copper be used for multilayer boards?
Yes, 3 oz copper foils are commonly used on multilayer PCBs. The
lamination process can accommodate the thickness.
Q2. Are there special drill requirements for 3 oz copper?
Laser drills are typically used for all multilayer boards regardless of copper
thickness. Mechanical drills above 0.3mm are suitable.
Q3. Does solder mask adhesion change on 3 oz copper?
There is minimal effect on solder mask adhesion between different
copper weights. The chemical bond to copper remains the same.
Q4. Does 3 oz copper withstand soldering heat?
Yes, soldering temperatures are well below the melting point of copper.
The thicker 3 oz copper is more thermally stable against soldering
exposure.
Q5. Is 3 oz copper readily available from manufacturers?
As 3 oz copper gains adoption, more PCB suppliers offer quick turnaround
capability in 3 oz material at reasonable costs.

Conclusion
With its 3X thickness over standard 1 oz foils, 3 oz copper provides
substantially increased current capacity, finer features, lower losses,
improved thermal management, enhanced reliability and superior EMI
control. These benefits make 3 oz copper the material of choice for
leading edge high-performance and high-reliability electronics. To fully
leverage 3 oz copper’s capabilities, engineers must follow disciplined
layout and design practises tailored to the finer geometries and higher
densities achievable. When designed properly, 3 oz copper PCB
technology enables electronics to meet the demands of today as well as
the future.
Related Posts:
1. How Thick is the Copper on a 1 oz Copper PCB in mm?
2. How Thick is the 5oz PCB?
3. How Thick Should a PCB be?
4. How is Thick 0.093 Inches? An In-Depth Look
https://www.raypcb.com/3-oz-copper-pcb/

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RAYMING PCB & ASSEMBLY

How Thick is 3 oz Copper in PCB?

3oz, When do 3 oz PCB manufacturing, We need take care the solder

mask , because the thick solder mask will flow .

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) form the backbone of electronics, providing

mechanical support and electrical connectivity for components. PCB

copper thickness is a key design parameter that affects current capacity,

electrical/thermal performance and manufacturability.

While 1 oz copper has been the traditional standard thickness, 3 oz copper

designs needing thicker conductors. In this article, we will look at what 3

oz copper PCB thickness means, how it compares to other copper weights,

its applications and advantages, and the design considerations when

working with 3 oz copper boards.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

Request 3oz Copper PCB Manufacturing Quote Now

What Does 3 oz Copper Mean?

PCB copper thickness is specified by weight in terms of ounces per square

square foot of board area, excluding the fiberglass dielectric substrate

Some common PCB copper weights are:

 1/2 oz – 0.5 oz/ft2 (17 μm)

 1 oz – 1 oz/ft2 (35 μm)

 2 oz – 2 oz/ft2 (70 μm)

 3 oz – 3 oz/ft2 (105 μm)

 4 oz – 4 oz/ft2 (140 μm)

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

on each metal layer. In terms of thickness, 3 oz copper equals

 4.2 mil (thousandths of an inch)

This is over 3x thicker than standard 1 oz foil.

Why Use Thicker 3 oz Copper?

The trend towards 3 oz copper PCBs is being driven by several factors:

 Higher current capacity – The thicker copper can handle over 3

times the current compared to 1 oz material without overheating.

This enables higher power PCBs.

 Lower losses – Increased copper mass reduces resistive losses and

voltage drops across traces. This improves electrical efficiency.

 Thermal performance – The excellent thermal conductivity of

copper spreads heat over larger board area, keeping components

 Finer lines and spaces – 3 oz copper allows very fine trace

geometries and clearances for dense SMT boards.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 High frequency/high speed – Thicker traces reduce impedance

mismatch and electromagnetic radiation for faster circuits.

 Reliability – Heavier copper is more resistant to thermal stress,

electromigration and corrosion over product lifetime.

 High current components – New power devices often need PCBs

exceeding 2 oz copper thickness.

Applications Suited for 3 oz Copper PCBs

to 3 oz copper thickness include:

 High power motor drives – Thick 3 oz layers handle large motor

phase currents without overheating.

 Electric vehicle electronics – Low loss and current capacity aid

powertrain and battery management systems.

 Power converters – Enhanced thermal dissipation rating and

ampacity rating in AC-DC and DC-DC converters.

 Power amplifiers – RF power amps for communications systems

need low loss boards to minimize distortion.

PCB Manufacturing & Assembly Services https://www.raypcb.com/

 Server/telecom hardware – High speed backplanes and data

storage devices require thicker conductors.

 Medical equipment – Critical devices like MRI scanners and surgical

systems demand maximum reliability under all conditions.

 Defense electronics – Mission-critical systems in extreme

environments are designed with 3+ oz copper for ruggedness.