Gold-Plated Double-Sided PCB Board – Immersion Gold Process & High Reliability | UGPCB

UGPCB Double-Sided Gold-Plated PCB Product Overview

UGPCB’s gold-plated double-sided PCB board represents the pinnacle of accessibility and performance in circuit board technology. Designed for engineers and creators who demand reliability without the complexity of multi-layer boards, this product leverages the proven Immersion Gold (ENIG) surface treatment to ensure robust connections and exceptional signal integrity. With a standard 1.2mm thickness, 1OZ copper cladding, and fine 6mil trace capabilities, it serves as the perfect substrate for a vast array of digital PCB applications, from prototyping to full-scale production.

What is a Gold-Plated (Immersion Gold) Double-Sided PCB?

Definition and Basic Concept

A double-sided PCB is a circuit board that features conductive copper layers on both its top and bottom surfaces, allowing for more complex and dense circuit routing compared to single-sided boards. The term “gold-plated” in our context specifically refers to the Immersion Gold (ENIG) surface finish. This is a critical final step in the PCB fabrication process where a thin layer of gold is chemically deposited over a nickel barrier layer on the copper traces. This combination provides a flat, oxidation-resistant, and highly solderable surface, making it ideal for double-sided PCB fabrication and subsequent PCBA assembly.

In-Depth Specifications and Material Composition

The Building Blocks of Quality

The superior performance of our double-sided boards is rooted in the careful selection of materials and precise control of parameters:

• Core Material: High-quality FR4, a flame-retardant glass-reinforced epoxy laminate. This material offers an excellent balance of mechanical strength, electrical insulation, and cost-effectiveness.

• Board Structure: 2 Layers of copper foil, firmly bonded to the FR4 substrate.

• Surface Treatment: Immersion Gold (ENIG). This process creates a flat surface crucial for modern components, protects the underlying copper, and provides a long shelf life.

• Copper Thickness: 1OZ (approximately 35µm), a standard and robust weight that handles typical current loads in digital circuits effectively.

• Finished Thickness: 1.2mm, offering a rigid and durable board structure for most applications.

• Critical Design Rules: Minimum Trace/Space of 6mil (0.15mm), enabling a good level of design density for complex digital circuits.

• Solder Mask: Available in Green or White, providing insulation and protection against oxidation and solder bridges.

Key Advantages and Product Features: Why Choose UGPCB’s Immersion Gold PCB?

Unmatched Reliability and Performance

Choosing our gold-plated double-sided PCB translates to tangible benefits for your project:

1. Superior Flatness and Solderability: The ENIG finish is exceptionally flat, which is vital for reliably soldering fine-pitch components like BGAs and QFNs. This directly reduces defects in your PCBA process.

2. Excellent Oxidation Resistance: The gold layer is inert, preventing the copper from tarnishing over time. This ensures a reliable surface for soldering even after prolonged storage, making your PCB prototype and production inventory more manageable.

3. Stable Contact Surface for Connectors: The hard, durable gold surface is ideal for edge connectors and test points, providing a low-resistance, wear-resistant contact interface.

4. Dual-Sided Routing Capability: Effectively doubles the available area for routing traces compared to a single-sided board, allowing for more compact and efficient digital circuit board designs.

5. Cost-Effectiveness: For designs that don’t require the complexity of a 4-layer board, the double-sided FR4 PCB with ENIG finish offers the best performance-to-cost ratio for a wide range of applications.

Typical Applications and Use Cases: Where is This PCB Used?

Powering the Digital World

The versatility of our double-sided immersion gold PCB makes it a go-to solution across numerous industries:

• Consumer Digital Electronics: Smart home controllers, IoT sensor nodes, wearable devices, and audio equipment.

• Automotive Electronics: Dashboard controllers, sensor modules, and lighting control units.

• Industrial Control Systems: PLC I/O modules, motor drives, and measurement instrumentation.

• Telecommunications: Routers, switches, and network interface modules.

• Medical Devices: Patient monitoring equipment and diagnostic tools where reliability is paramount.

• Prototyping and R&D: The ideal choice for functional PCB prototypes that closely mimic final production performance.

The Manufacturing Workflow: A Glimpse into Precision Engineering

From Design to Delivery

The production of a high-quality double-sided PCB is a meticulous process:

1. Material Preparation & Drilling: The FR4 panel is prepared, and via holes are precision-drilled to create interconnections between layers.

2. Plating Through Hole (PTH): A conductive layer is chemically deposited inside the drilled holes to establish electrical connectivity between the two sides.

3. Pattern Imaging & Development: The circuit pattern is transferred onto the copper layers using photoresist and UV light.

4. Etching: Unwanted copper is chemically etched away, leaving behind the desired circuit traces.

5. Solder Mask Application: The green or white solder mask is applied and cured, exposing only the component pads and vias.

6. Surface Finishing – Immersion Gold: The board undergoes the ENIG process, applying the nickel barrier and thin gold layer.

7. Silkscreen Printing: Component designators and logos are printed on the board.

8. Electrical Testing & Final Inspection: Each board is rigorously tested for continuity and short circuits to ensure 100% functionality before shipment.

Design Considerations and Best Practices

Optimizing Your Board for Success

To fully leverage the capabilities of this double-sided PCB, consider these design tips:

• Utilize Vias Effectively: Strategically place vias to create short and efficient signal return paths between layers.

• Power Plane Strategy: While a full ground plane is ideal, you can use generous copper pours on both sides to create a stable power distribution network for your digital PCB.

• Respect the 6mil Rule: Adhere to the minimum trace and space requirements to ensure manufacturability and yield.

• Component Placement: Place critical and noise-sensitive components on one side (typically top) to simplify routing and minimize interference.

Conclusion: Your Trusted Partner for High-Quality PCBs

UGPCB’s gold-plated double-sided PCB board is more than just a component; it’s a reliable foundation for innovation. By combining the robust FR4 material, the advanced Immersion Gold surface treatment, and our commitment to precision manufacturing, we provide a product that balances performance, durability, and cost. Whether you are a startup working on a PCB prototype or an established company scaling up PCBA assembly, this board is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of the modern digital world.

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