Rogers PCB laminates
Rogers PCB: RO4000, RO3000 & RT/duroid Laminates
A guide to Rogers PCB materials, from FR-4-processable RO4000 hydrocarbon/ceramics to ultra-low-loss RT/duroid PTFE, with stock availability and how to choose.
- Highest volume
- RO4350B
- RO4003C Df
- 0.0027
- RT/duroid 5880 Df
- 0.0009
- With FR-4
- Hybrid
Overview
What is a Rogers PCB?
A Rogers PCB is built on high-frequency laminates from Rogers Corporation. They have stable dielectric constant and low dissipation factor, so RF and microwave circuits keep predictable impedance, phase and loss across temperature and frequency, which FR-4 cannot guarantee above about 1 GHz.
The product line runs from FR-4-processable hydrocarbon/ceramic composites (RO4000) through PTFE/ceramic laminates (RO3000) to ultra-low-loss PTFE substrates (RT/duroid), plus application-specific families such as TMM and dedicated bonding films.
Families
Rogers laminate families.
| Family | Examples | Dk / Df @ 10 GHz (approx.) | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| RO4000 | RO4350B, RO4003C, RO4835 | 3.38–3.66 / 0.0027–0.0037 | FR-4 compatible |
| RO3000 | RO3003, RO3006, RO3010 | 3.0–10.2 / ≈ 0.001–0.002 | PTFE-ceramic |
| RT/duroid | 5880, 6002, 6010 | 2.2–10.2 / ≈ 0.0009–0.0023 | PTFE — see PTFE PCB |
| TMM | TMM 3, 6, 10 | 3.3–9.2 / low | Ceramic thermoset |
RO4000
RO4000 series: FR-4-compatible RF laminates.
RO4000 uses a glass-reinforced hydrocarbon/ceramic composite that processes on standard FR-4 equipment with no special drilling, plating or lamination steps. That makes it the most cost-effective Rogers family and the default for RF boards when Df in the 0.003–0.004 range is enough.
RO4350B (Dk 3.48, Df 0.0037) is the highest-volume grade, used for antenna feeds, filters, couplers, dividers, LNA matching and general RF from 1 to 20 GHz, in cores from 6.6 to 60 mil, and it is UL 94 V-0. RO4003C (Dk 3.38, Df 0.0027) has about 25% lower loss for tight link budgets but costs more and has fewer thicknesses. RO4835 adds improved oxidation resistance for long-life outdoor and automotive hardware. All offer good Dk stability (TCDk about +40 to +50 ppm/°C) and low moisture absorption (about 0.06%).
RO3000
RO3000 series: Rogers RO3003, RO3006 and RO3010.
RO3000 laminates are ceramic-filled PTFE composites with very low loss and Dk options from about 3.0 (RO3003) to 10.2 (RO3010). RO3003 is widely used for 77 GHz automotive radar antennas, and the higher-Dk grades shrink patch and filter dimensions. They need PTFE-type processing but have better dimensional stability than unfilled PTFE.
Rogers RO3003
Rogers RO3003 for 77 GHz radar.
| Property | RO3003 | RO3035 | RO3006 | RO3010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dk (process) @ 10 GHz | 3.00 ± 0.04 | 3.50 ± 0.05 | 6.15 ± 0.15 | 10.2 ± 0.30 |
| Dk (design), 8–40 GHz | 3.00 | 3.60 | 6.50 | 11.20 |
| Df @ 10 GHz | 0.0010 | 0.0015 | 0.0020 | 0.0022 |
| Thermal coefficient of Dk | −3 ppm/°C | −45 ppm/°C | −262 ppm/°C | −395 ppm/°C |
| CTE x / y / z | 17 / 16 / 25 ppm/°C | 17 / 17 / 24 | 17 / 17 / 24 | 13 / 11 / 16 |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.50 W/m·K | 0.50 | 0.79 | 0.95 |
| Moisture absorption | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.05% |
RO3003 is the standard substrate for 77 GHz automotive radar antennas. Its Dk barely moves with temperature (−3 ppm/°C) and its in-plane CTE matches copper, which keeps antenna dimensions and phase stable. Like other ceramic-filled PTFE, it needs PTFE-type drilling and hole preparation; it is often used as the top layer of a hybrid stack-up with FR-4 below.
RT/duroid
RT/duroid series: PTFE-based laminates.
RT/duroid laminates are PTFE-based, with glass or ceramic fillers, for the lowest available loss: applications above 20 GHz, satellite communications, radio astronomy, precision test equipment and any RF path where every fraction of a dB matters.
RT/duroid 5880 (Dk 2.20, Df 0.0009) has the lowest loss in the family and is the standard choice for mmWave antennas, filters and receiver front ends. Its low Dk gives wider traces, which reduces conductor loss and eases tolerance. RT/duroid 6002 (Dk 2.94, Df 0.0012) is ceramic-filled for more compact circuits with very low loss, and it is used in radar and EW where space is tight. These laminates need PTFE processing: modified drilling, plasma or sodium etch and PTFE-qualified plating.
Bonding films
Bonding films and prepregs.
Multilayer Rogers builds need bonding materials whose Dk and loss suit the RF layers. Common choices include RO4450F and RO4460G2 bondply for RO4000 constructions, and 2929 bondply or fusion bonding for PTFE. In hybrids, qualified FR-4 prepregs can bond Rogers cores to FR-4 when the bond line is not in the RF field. We specify the bonding material in the stack-up we return with your quote.
Hybrid
Hybrid Rogers/FR-4 stack-ups.
Many RF products put a Rogers RF front end and FR-4 digital and power circuits on one board. A hybrid stack-up uses Rogers only on the RF signal layers, bonded to FR-4 with compatible materials, so expensive laminate goes only where RF performance needs it. We validate hybrids for bondability, CTE compatibility and impedance accuracy across the dissimilar materials. See high frequency PCB.
How to choose
Which Rogers material?
| Need | Suggested material |
|---|---|
| General RF 1–20 GHz | RO4350B |
| Tight link budget, long feeds | RO4003C |
| Outdoor / automotive long life | RO4835 |
| 77 GHz radar antenna | RO3003 |
| Lowest loss, mmWave | RT/duroid 5880 |
| Compact high-Dk circuits | RO3010, RT/duroid 6010, TMM 10 |
| Cost control | Hybrid Rogers + FR-4 |
At AstroPCB
Rogers PCB manufacturing at AstroPCB.
We keep RO4350B and RO4003C in standard thicknesses for fast-turn fabrication, along with common RO3000 and RT/duroid grades. Other Rogers materials, including RO4835, TMM and bonding films, are sourced to order, with lead time confirmed at quote. Every Rogers build gets a DFM review and controlled impedance to ±8% with TDR verification.
- Stocked: RO4350B, RO4003C, common RO3000 and RT/duroid
- Sourced to order: RO4835, TMM, specialty bondplies
- Prototype lead time on stocked material typically 7–10 business days
- Hybrid builds with similar lead times
FAQ
Material questions.
What is the most common Rogers PCB material?
RO4350B, the highest-volume Rogers laminate.
Which Rogers materials do you stock?
RO4350B and RO4003C in standard thicknesses plus common RO3000 and RT/duroid grades; others such as RO4835 and TMM are sourced to order.
What is the lead time for Rogers PCBs?
Typically 7–10 business days for prototypes on stocked material; non-stock materials add procurement time.
Is Rogers better than FR-4?
For RF above about 1 GHz, yes: stable Dk and far lower loss. For most digital boards FR-4 or Megtron is the better choice.
RO4350B or RO4003C?
RO4350B for most designs; RO4003C when link-budget analysis shows the extra loss reduction is needed.
Can Rogers be mixed with FR-4?
Yes, in hybrid stack-ups bonded with compatible materials.
What is the dielectric constant of Rogers RO3003?
3.00 ± 0.04 at 10 GHz, with a Df of 0.0010 and a design Dk of 3.00 from 8 to 40 GHz.
Ready when your files are
Send your stack-up for a material check.
Upload Gerber, ODB++ or IPC-2581 data. Every quote includes a written engineering DFM review, typically within one business day.