PCB IMS

Aluminum printed circuits contain a thin layer of thermally conductive dielectric material that transfers heat.
There are many names for these products: Aluminum clad, aluminum base, Metal clad printed Circuit Board (MCPCB), Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS or IMPCB), Thermally conductive PCBs, etc … but they all mean the same thing and work the same way.

How are aluminum PCBs made?
A thin layer of thermally conductive but electrically insulating dielectric is laminated between a metal base and a copper foil. The copper foil is etched into the desired circuit model and the metal base absorbs heat from this circuit through the thin dielectric.

Advantages of aluminum PCBs

• Heat dissipation is significantly higher than standard FR-4 constructions.
• The dielectrics used are typically 5 to 10 times more thermally conductive than normal epoxy glass.
• Exponentially more efficient thermal transfer of a conventional rigid PCB.

Although originally intended for use in the power electrical sector, these substrates are now mostly used in high-brightness LED products.