Metal Core PCB's

[SnoopyBlue]

Came about Aluminium Core PCB. Interesting thing, but don't know much about it. Basically they are used for and came about with power LED's, I guess because of heat dissipation. But I guess they are/can be used with other power circuits ... amplifiers, LDO's, etc. Has anybody experience with it? I guess they are single sided, but is there possibility of multi-layer? How are connection's done with other boards? Anyone had hands-on experience with them?

Best Regards,

[Corporate666]

Came about Aluminium Core PCB. Interesting thing, but don't know much about it. Basically they are used for and came about with power LED's, I guess because of heat dissipation. But I guess they are/can be used with other power circuits ... amplifiers, LDO's, etc. Has anybody experience with it? I guess they are single sided, but is there possibility of multi-layer? How are connection's done with other boards? Anyone had hands-on experience with them?

Best Regards,

I've used lots of metal core PCB's (MCPCB).  Honestly, they aren't really any different than FR-4.  I have done plenty of 2-sided MCPCB's, but of course it adds to the cost.  I haven't used multi-layer but I believe they exist... although probably much more cost efficient to put the necessary heat-sinked parts on the MCPCB and use an interconnect to a more complex board when necessary. 

As for connections - no different than any other PCB.

[poorchava]

Multi-layer boards exist, but they usually use micro-via process rather than normal drilled vias. They are expensive (with capital 'E'), even in high volume. Soldering that stuff with normal iron and without a preheater is very hard.