ITEQ Corporation laminates
ITEQ Laminate: IT-180A to IT-999GSE, Standard Loss to Extreme Low Loss
ITEQ is our second default laminate brand after Shengyi. Its range runs from IT-158 and IT-180A FR-4 through mid-loss IT-170GRA and IT-958G to the IT-968, IT-988GSE and IT-998/999GSE low-loss families for servers and networking, plus IMS and flexible materials.
- High-Tg default
- IT-180A
- Range at 10 GHz
- Df 0.018 → 0.0007
- Dk/Df basis
- RC 50% / 70%
- Other lines
- FCCL + IMS
ITEQ overview
Who is ITEQ?
ITEQ Corporation (聯茂電子) is a Taiwanese maker of copper-clad laminate and prepreg, with plants in Taiwan and mainland China (Guangzhou, Dongguan, Wuxi, Huangjiang and Jiangxi). It groups its rigid laminates into legacy (standard loss), leading (mid-loss to low-loss) and advanced low-loss materials, and also makes thermal IMS and flexible FCCL materials.
ITEQ is our second default supplier after Shengyi. IT-180A is one of the two high-Tg FR-4 grades we use most, and the IT-968 and IT-988G families are common choices for high-speed digital boards. An ITEQ PCB is built on the same lines and processes as our Shengyi boards.
Product line
ITEQ PCB laminate product line by loss class.
| Class | Grades | Dk / Df (as published) | On our site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard loss (legacy) | IT-158, IT-180A, IT-858G, IT-258GA3 | IT-158: 4.0 / 0.018 | IT-180A page |
| Entry mid-loss | IT-150G, IT-150GS, IT-150DA | 3.5 / 0.0148; 3.9 / 0.012 | This page |
| Mid-loss / upper mid-loss | IT-170GRA1, IT-170GRA2, IT-170GT, IT-958G, IT-601G | 3.70–3.90 / 0.0070–0.0095 | This page |
| Low loss | IT-602G, IT-968G, IT-968 | 3.5 / 0.0060; 3.26 / 0.0039 | High speed PCB |
| Very / ultra low loss | IT-988GL, IT-988GLSE, IT-968GSE | 3.21 / 0.0033; 3.12 / 0.0025; 2.84 / 0.0029 | AI & data center |
| Super ultra / extreme low loss | IT-998GSE, IT-998GSE2, IT-999GSE2, IT-999GSE3 | 3.14 / 0.0013 → 2.93 / 0.0007 | AI & data center |
| RF | IT-88GMW, IT-8338G, IT-8350G | See ITEQ data sheet | RF materials |
| Flexible & thermal | FCCL; IMS thermal materials | See ITEQ data sheet | Polyimide |
Standard loss
ITEQ standard-loss FR-4: IT-158 and IT-180A.
IT-158 is ITEQ’s mid-Tg FR-4 for lead-free boards with standard reliability needs (Dk 4.0, Df 0.018). IT-180A is the high-Tg, low-CTE filled epoxy that most of our ITEQ multilayer and HDI work runs on: Tg 180 °C (DSC), Td 350 °C and 2.7% z-axis expansion from 50 to 260 °C. IT-858G and IT-258GA3 are halogen-free and CAF-1000 V grades for high-voltage and high-reliability work.
| Grade | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IT-158 | Mid-Tg FR-4 | Dk 4.0, Df 0.018 (RC 50%) |
| IT-180A | High-Tg, low CTE | Tg 180 °C, Td 350 °C, 2.7% z-expansion |
| IT-858G | Halogen-free standard loss | CAF 1000 V |
| IT-258GA3 | Standard loss | CAF 1000 V |
Mid & low loss
ITEQ mid-loss and low-loss laminates: IT-150, IT-170GRA, IT-958G and IT-968.
Between FR-4 and premium low-loss materials, ITEQ offers IT-150G and IT-150GS (entry mid-loss), IT-170GRA1 / IT-170GRA2 and IT-170GT (Df 0.0080–0.0095) and IT-958G / IT-601G (Df 0.0070–0.0076). These are the usual choices for 10G Ethernet and PCIe Gen 3/4 boards and compete with Isola FR408HR and Megtron 4. IT-968 and IT-968G (Dk 3.26, Df 0.0039 at RC 70%) step into Megtron 6 territory for 25–56G channels.
| Grade | Loss class | Dk | Df |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT-150G | Entry mid-loss | 3.5 | 0.0148 |
| IT-150GS | Entry mid-loss | 3.9 | 0.012 |
| IT-170GRA1 | Low-loss (leading) | 3.80 | 0.009 |
| IT-170GT | Upper mid-loss | 3.90 | 0.0095 |
| IT-170GRA2 | Upper mid-loss | 3.8 | 0.0080 |
| IT-958G | Upper mid-loss | 3.7 | 0.0070 |
| IT-601G | Upper mid-loss | 3.87 | 0.0076 |
| IT-602G | Advanced low loss | 3.5 | 0.0060 |
| IT-968G | Ultra low loss | 3.26 | 0.0039 |
Advanced low loss
ITEQ IT-988GSE, IT-998GSE and IT-999GSE for 112G and beyond.
For AI servers, 800G switches and 112G/224G PAM4 links, ITEQ’s advanced low-loss materials cut Df by another order of magnitude: IT-988GL (Df 0.0033), IT-988GLSE (0.0025), IT-968GSE (Dk 2.84, Df 0.0029), IT-998GSE (0.0013), IT-998GSE2 (0.0011), and the extreme low-loss IT-999GSE2 (0.0008) and IT-999GSE3 (Dk 2.93, Df 0.0007). These sit alongside Megtron 7 and 8 in grade selection.
| Grade | Loss class | Dk | Df | Typical data rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT-988GL | Very low loss | 3.21 | 0.0033 | 56G PAM4 |
| IT-988GLSE | Very low loss | 3.12 | 0.0025 | 56–112G |
| IT-968GSE | Advanced low loss | 2.84 | 0.0029 | 56–112G |
| IT-998GSE | Super ultra low loss | 3.14 | 0.0013 | 112G |
| IT-998GSE2 | Super ultra low loss | 3.05 | 0.0011 | 112–224G |
| IT-999GSE2 | Extreme low loss | 3.02 | 0.0008 | 224G |
| IT-999GSE3 | Extreme low loss | 2.93 | 0.0007 | 224G |
Low-loss laminates only pay off with matching copper and glass: we specify HVLP or RTF foil and spread glass on signal layers, and back-drill via stubs on SerDes nets.
Flex & IMS
ITEQ flexible and thermal materials.
Besides rigid CCL and prepreg, ITEQ makes flexible copper-clad laminate (FCCL) and thermally conductive IMS materials. We use ITEQ FCCL in flex and rigid-flex when it is specified or approved as an equivalent; for flex material selection see polyimide and DuPont Pyralux. We do not build aluminium IMS boards; for thermal designs we offer copper-core metal core PCBs.
| Line | Use at AstroPCB |
|---|---|
| ITEQ FCCL | Flex and rigid-flex, when specified or approved |
| ITEQ IMS (aluminium base) | Not offered — see copper-core MCPCB |
| ITEQ RF (IT-88GMW, IT-8338G, IT-8350G) | RF layers on request |
ITEQ vs others
ITEQ vs Shengyi vs Panasonic vs Isola equivalents.
| Need | ITEQ | Shengyi | Panasonic | Isola |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-Tg FR-4 | IT-180A | S1000-2M | Hiper series (automotive) | 370HR |
| Mid-loss | IT-170GRA1 / IT-958G | S7040G / S7439 | Megtron 4 | FR408HR |
| Low loss (25–56G) | IT-968 | Synamic 6 | Megtron 6 | I-Tera MT40 / I-Speed |
| Ultra low loss (112G+) | IT-988GSE / IT-998GSE | Synamic 8GN / 9GN | Megtron 7 / 8 | Tachyon 100G / TerraGreen 400G |
Choosing a grade
Which ITEQ laminate should I specify?
- Lead-free multilayer, HDI or automotive: IT-180A
- 10G / PCIe Gen 3–4 on moderate lengths: IT-170GRA1 or IT-958G
- 25–56G NRZ/PAM4: IT-968 or IT-968G
- 56–112G PAM4 or long backplanes: IT-988GSE or IT-998GSE
- 224G or co-packaged optics: IT-999GSE2 / IT-999GSE3, with simulation
- Halogen-free requirement: IT-858G or the “G” low-loss grades
RFQ
What to include in an ITEQ laminate RFQ.
- Laminate name and grade exactly as on your drawing, or “or equivalent” if substitution is allowed
- ITEQ grade (e.g. “ITEQ IT-968”) or the IPC-4101 slash sheet if an equivalent is acceptable
- Data rate, channel length and copper roughness requirement
- Halogen-free or CAF requirements
- Layer count, finished thickness and tolerance
- Impedance targets and reference layers
- IPC class, quantity and schedule
FAQ
Material questions.
Is ITEQ a good PCB laminate brand?
Yes. ITEQ is a major Taiwanese laminate maker whose IT-180A and IT-968 families are widely used in servers, networking and automotive boards. It is our second default brand after Shengyi.
What is the most common ITEQ material?
IT-180A, a 180 °C Tg, low-CTE lead-free FR-4. See the IT-180A page for full properties.
What are the Dk and Df of ITEQ IT-968?
ITEQ lists IT-968G at Dk 3.26 and Df 0.0039 at 70% resin content. Use the construction-specific value for impedance and loss modelling.
Which ITEQ grade compares with Megtron 6 or Megtron 7?
IT-968 is the usual Megtron 6-class choice; IT-988GSE and IT-998GSE compare with Megtron 7 and 8 for 56–112G and above.
Why are ITEQ Dk/Df values quoted at 50% and 70% resin content?
Dk and Df change with resin content. ITEQ quotes legacy and leading materials at 50% and advanced low-loss materials at 70%, so compare grades only at the same basis.
Can you substitute ITEQ for another brand?
When your drawing allows an equivalent, yes, and only with your written approval at quote.
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