APW successfully introduces environmentally friendly FR4 at Hedge End

Publication date on this website: Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Company: APW Electronic Solutions
Category: Press Releases : Industry News (Market)

Summary:
APW Electronic Solutions has successfully introduced BFFR (Bromide Free Flame Retardant) FR4 as an option at its Hedge End backplane manufacturing plant.

Full Text:
Environmental considerations about the end-of-life disposal of electronic equipment mean that the PCB raw material, FR4, is becoming an increasing source of concern. The primary problem is the presence of bromide-based flame-retardants in both the laminate itself and the pre-preg that separates the layers; these additives are an essential mechanism enabling the finished board to meet flame-retardant and self-extinguishing specifications. However, during incineration some bromide compounds can transmute into carcinogenic substances; if the PCB is disposed into a landfill site, the bromides can leach out into the water table. In Japan and Scandinavia, pressure is increasingly being applied for only “Halogen-reduced” PCBs to be used and it is understood that the EU is also considering introducing restrictions on the use of FR4 containing bromide as flame-retardants.

To nullify these potential long-term problems, APW Electronic Solutions has successfully introduced BFFR (Bromide Free Flame Retardant) FR4 as an option at its Hedge End backplane manufacturing plant. Achieving a specified characteristic impedance, high signal integrity and low crosstalk within a backplane is dependant on the intrinsic characteristics, layout, structure and mechanical properties of the backplane itself. Migrating existing multilayer impedance controlled designs from traditional FR4 to the BFFR version involves modifications within the manufacturing process to achieve the required electrical parameters on a repeatable basis. In addition to using the new BFFR FR4, the soldermask has also had to be changed - APW are using a blue UL Approved Low Halogen Content material to identify BFFR boards.

The Hedge End plant has been approved by UL for the manufacture of BFFR boards. Prototype quantities are currently running through the plant and customer system evaluation trials using the BFFR backplanes are taking place prior to volume shipments expected to commence in Q1 2003.

Contact:
Tim Froome
APW Electronic Solutions
Flanders Road
Hedge End
Southampton
Hants
SO30 2LG

tel: + 44 (0)1489 774500
fax:+ 44 (0)1489 780978
mailto:tim.froome@apw.com
http://www.apw.com