Aluminum Metal-Core PCB
Thermal conductivity 1-3 W/mK | Aluminum base for heat dissipation — eliminating heatsinks in LED, power, and motor drive applications.
1-3
W/mK Thermal
1.6mm
Standard Al Base
LED
Primary Use
No
Heatsink Needed
What is Aluminum MCPCB?
Aluminum metal-core PCBs (MCPCBs) replace standard FR-4 substrate with a thermally conductive dielectric layer bonded to an aluminum base plate. This construction provides 5-10x better thermal conductivity than FR-4, eliminating the need for separate heatsinks in many power dissipation applications.
The construction is straightforward: a thin (50-200um) thermally conductive dielectric insulation layer separates the copper circuit layer from the aluminum base. Heat flows directly from power components through the thin dielectric into the aluminum, which acts as both structural support and heat spreader.
LED lighting has driven MCPCB into one of the highest-volume PCB market segments. Every LED bulb, streetlight, automotive headlamp, and commercial lighting fixture uses aluminum MCPCBs to manage the thermal load that determines LED lifetime and color consistency.
5-10x Better Thermal
Thermal conductivity 1-3 W/mK versus 0.3 W/mK for standard FR-4.
Eliminates Heatsinks
Aluminum base IS the heatsink — saves space, weight, and assembly cost.
LED Lifetime Extension
Lower junction temperature directly extends LED lifetime and maintains color.
High Power Density
Handle 10-100W per board without thermal derating.
Aluminum MCPCB Key Properties
Representative values from the manufacturer datasheet.
| Property | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity | 1.0-3.0 W/mK (dielectric) | 5-10x improvement over standard FR-4. |
| Aluminum thickness | 0.8-3.2 mm (standard 1.6mm) | Structural support and heat spreading. |
| Dielectric thickness | 50-200 um | Thinner = better thermal, thicker = higher voltage isolation. |
| Breakdown voltage | 3-6 kV | Adequate isolation for most power applications. |
| Operating temperature | -40C to +150C | Continuous operation at elevated temperatures. |
| Surface finish | HASL, ENIG, OSP | All standard finishes available. |
| Layer count | 1-2 layers typical | Single-sided most common, double-sided available. |
| Board thickness | 0.8-4.0 mm total | Including aluminum base and dielectric. |
| Copper weight | 1-10 oz | Heavy copper available for high-current applications. |
Thermal Design with Aluminum MCPCB
The thermal path in an MCPCB is dramatically shorter than in FR-4 construction. A high-power LED on FR-4 must conduct heat through 1.6mm of poorly conductive substrate (0.3 W/mK). On MCPCB, heat traverses only 75-100um of 1.5 W/mK dielectric before reaching the aluminum — reducing thermal resistance by 30-50x.
This thermal advantage directly impacts LED system design. Every 10C reduction in LED junction temperature approximately doubles LED lifetime. An MCPCB that reduces junction temperature by 20-30C compared to FR-4 extends a 50,000-hour LED to 100,000-200,000 hours — the difference between 5-year and 20-year fixture lifetime.
For power electronics (motor drivers, DC-DC converters, inverters), MCPCB enables higher power density by allowing components to operate at full rated current without thermal derating. A MOSFET rated for 10A on FR-4 might be derated to 5A due to thermal limitations. On MCPCB, the full 10A rating can be utilized continuously.
LED Industry Standard
Used in virtually all commercial, automotive, and residential LED lighting.
Full Power Rating
Components operate at rated current without thermal derating.
30-50x Lower Rth
Thermal resistance reduction versus FR-4 for power components.
System Cost Savings
Eliminating heatsinks saves BOM cost, assembly time, and enclosure space.
Thermal Substrate Comparison
Aluminum MCPCB versus alternative thermal management substrates.
| Material | Dk | Df | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum MCPCB (1.5 W/mK)This page | N/A | N/A | Standard LED/power — best cost-performance ratio. |
| Aluminum MCPCB (3.0 W/mK) | N/A | N/A | High-power — premium dielectric for maximum dissipation. |
| Copper MCPCB | N/A | N/A | Ultra-high thermal — 2x aluminum, 3x cost. |
| Ceramic (Al2O3) | N/A | N/A | Highest isolation — RF power, SiC/GaN modules. |
| FR-4 + Heatsink | 4.3 | 0.020 | Budget option — adequate for low-power LED. |
Aluminum MCPCB Applications
High-power LED lighting, motor drivers, power converters, automotive headlamps, industrial power modules
LED Lighting
Streetlights, commercial fixtures, residential bulbs, and horticultural grow lights.
Automotive Headlamps
LED headlight, DRL, and tail light thermal management.
Motor Drivers
BLDC and stepper motor drive boards dissipating 20-100W.
Power Converters
DC-DC converters, AC/DC adapters, and solar inverter stages.
Power Modules
IGBT and MOSFET assemblies for industrial power conversion.
Server Power
VRM (voltage regulator module) boards in high-density servers.
MCPCB Design Guidelines
Dielectric thickness selection balances thermal performance against voltage isolation. For LED applications at 12-48V, use 75-100um dielectric for maximum thermal performance. For 120/240V mains-connected circuits, use 150-200um for adequate creepage and clearance.
Thermal via arrays are not needed on MCPCB — the entire board base IS the thermal path. Focus design effort on minimizing copper pad-to-dielectric thermal resistance through adequate pad sizing and avoiding thermal relief patterns on power pads.
Get Instant QuoteDielectric Thickness
75-100um for low voltage LED. 150-200um for mains voltage isolation.
No Thermal Vias Needed
Aluminum base provides the thermal path — vias are unnecessary.
Power Pad Design
Full copper pads without thermal relief for minimum junction temperature.
Heavy Copper Option
2-10 oz copper for high-current motor drive applications.
Genuine Aluminum MCPCB, Verified on Every Order
Material CoC
Certificate of Conformance with lot number ships with every order.
Stock Verified
We confirm laminate availability before order confirmation.
No Substitutions
Specified material guaranteed — never swapped without written approval.
FAQ
Aluminum MCPCB Questions
What is aluminum MCPCB?
A metal-core printed circuit board with thermally conductive dielectric bonded to an aluminum base plate, providing 5-10x better heat dissipation than FR-4.
What thermal conductivity is available?
Standard: 1.0 W/mK. Enhanced: 1.5-2.0 W/mK. Premium: 2.0-3.0 W/mK. Higher values use specialized ceramic-filled dielectrics.
Can MCPCB be double-sided?
Yes, though single-sided is most common. Double-sided MCPCB uses thermal vias through the dielectric for bottom-side heat extraction.
MCPCB vs FR-4 with heatsink?
MCPCB provides lower thermal resistance (direct path to aluminum) in a thinner package. FR-4 + heatsink adds assembly complexity and thermal interface material resistance.
What is AtlasPCB's MCPCB capability?
Single and double-sided aluminum MCPCB from 0.8-4.0mm total thickness. Standard to 3.0 W/mK dielectric. Prototype to volume production.
Need aluminum MCPCB fabrication?
Aluminum metal-core PCBs — 1-3 W/mK thermal, LED to high-power — from prototype to volume. No MOQ.
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