Rogers RO4003C
Dk 3.38 | Df 0.0027 @ 10 GHz — the lowest-loss hydrocarbon ceramic for satellite, LNA, and filter applications.
3.38
Dk @ 10 GHz
0.0027
Df @ 10 GHz
425 C
Td
0.71
W/m K
What is Rogers RO4003C?
Rogers RO4003C is a woven-glass reinforced hydrocarbon/ceramic laminate offering the lowest dissipation factor in the RO4000 family. With Dk 3.38 and Df 0.0027 at 10 GHz, it delivers superior signal fidelity where every fraction of a dB matters.
Like RO4350B, RO4003C processes on standard FR-4 equipment with no sodium etch or special lamination. This makes multilayer and hybrid stackups straightforward while maintaining insertion loss performance approaching pure PTFE materials.
The key trade-off: RO4003C lacks UL 94 V-0 flame rating. For designs where flammability certification is not required (satellite, military, test equipment), RO4003C is the performance choice in the Rogers lineup.
Lowest Loss in RO4000 Family
Df 0.0027 preserves link budget in noise-sensitive satellite and radar receivers.
Tight Dk Tolerance
Plus/minus 0.05 ensures predictable impedance for repeatable RF matching.
FR-4 Processing
Standard multilayer lamination and plated through-holes without PTFE complications.
High Thermal Stability
Td 425 C and 0.71 W/m K handle lead-free assembly and thermal stress.
Rogers RO4003C Key Properties
Representative values from the manufacturer datasheet.
| Property | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric constant (Dk) | 3.38 @ 10 GHz | Design Dk for impedance and wavelength calculations. |
| Dk tolerance | +/-0.05 | Board-to-board impedance consistency. |
| Dissipation factor (Df) | 0.0027 @ 10 GHz | Lowest in RO4000 family for noise-figure-sensitive front ends. |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.71 W/m K | 3x FR-4 for passive heat spreading. |
| CTE z-axis | ~46 ppm/C | Moderate expansion, reliable PTH in thermal cycling. |
| Decomposition temp (Td) | 425 C | Highest Td in RO4000 series. |
| Moisture absorption | 0.06% | Stable Dk in humid environments. |
| Flammability | Not UL 94 V-0 | Select RO4350B when UL certification is required. |
| Reinforcement | Woven glass + hydrocarbon/ceramic | Dimensionally stable, FR-4-compatible. |
Why RF Engineers Choose RO4003C Over RO4350B
The 0.001 Df gap between RO4003C (0.0027) and RO4350B (0.0037) translates to measurable insertion loss savings. On a 10 cm microstrip at 10 GHz, RO4003C saves approximately 0.08 dB per trace — meaningful in receiver chains where every stage adds noise.
Satellite transponder feeds, GPS front ends, and test instrumentation specify RO4003C because these applications push the noise floor to its limit. Lower dielectric loss keeps signal above thermal noise across long trace runs.
RO4003C also has the highest Td (425 C) in the RO4000 lineup, giving extra margin for lead-free profiles peaking above 260 C. Combined with FR-4-compatible processing, it remains the workhorse for aerospace RF hardware.
Noise Figure Preservation
Lower Df means less thermal noise from the substrate in LNA and filter stages.
Satellite-Grade Performance
Proven in L-band, S-band, and C-band transponder and feed networks.
Hybrid Stackup Ready
Combine with FR-4 on non-RF layers to cut cost 40-60%.
Material CoC Included
Rogers Certificate of Conformance with lot traceability on every order.
Rogers High-Frequency Laminate Comparison
Where RO4003C fits in the Rogers portfolio.
| Material | Dk | Df | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers RO4003CThis page | 3.38 | 0.0027 | Lowest-loss hydrocarbon ceramic — satellite, LNA, filters. |
| Rogers RO4350B | 3.48 | 0.0037 | Default RF workhorse — 5G, radar, antenna feeds. UL 94 V-0. |
| Rogers RO3003 | 3.00 | 0.0010 | PTFE ultra-low loss — 77 GHz automotive radar. |
| Rogers RT/duroid 5880 | 2.20 | 0.0009 | Lowest-loss PTFE — space antennas, phased arrays. |
| Taconic RF-35 | 3.50 | 0.0018 | PTFE/glass mid-range RF at competitive cost. |
Rogers RO4003C Applications
Satellite front ends, LNA, high-Q filters, low-noise receivers
Satellite Communications
L/S/C-band transponder feeds and receiver front ends where noise figure matters.
High-Q Filters
Bandpass filters and couplers demanding minimal passband insertion loss.
Radar Receivers
Low-noise radar front ends where substrate loss impacts detection range.
Test and Measurement
RF fixtures and calibration standards requiring repeatable, low-loss substrates.
Base Station Front Ends
Tower-mounted amplifiers where loss becomes heat and reduced coverage.
Aerospace RF
Military and commercial avionics assemblies needing thermal stability and low loss.
RO4003C Design and Stackup Guidance
RO4003C laminates on standard FR-4 press cycles. For hybrid builds, place RO4003C on signal layers and high-Tg FR-4 for power, ground, and digital — saving 40-60% on material.
Since RO4003C lacks UL 94 V-0, confirm with compliance before specifying in consumer or telecom products. For those applications, RO4350B offers nearly identical processing with a UL listing.
Get Instant QuoteHybrid Construction
RO4003C on RF layers plus FR-4 on power/ground. Standard lamination.
Impedance Control
Plus/minus 0.05 Dk delivers consistent 50-ohm lines with coupon-verified TDR.
Reflow Compatible
Td 425 C handles lead-free profiles above 260 C peak.
CoC Traceability
Rogers Certificate of Conformance with lot number on every shipment.
Genuine Rogers RO4003C, 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
Rogers RO4003C Questions
What is Rogers RO4003C?
A woven-glass reinforced hydrocarbon/ceramic laminate with Dk 3.38 and Df 0.0027 at 10 GHz — lowest loss in the RO4000 family, processing like FR-4.
RO4003C vs RO4350B — which should I choose?
Choose RO4003C when loss is priority and flame rating is not required. Choose RO4350B for UL 94 V-0. RO4003C offers 27% lower Df.
Is RO4003C UL 94 V-0 rated?
No. Use RO4350B when UL certification is required.
Can I build a hybrid RO4003C + FR-4 stackup?
Yes. FR-4-compatible processing makes hybrid straightforward. Place RO4003C on RF layers and FR-4 elsewhere to reduce cost 40-60%.
What frequency range suits RO4003C?
DC to 40+ GHz. Most commonly specified in 1-20 GHz for satellite, radar, and filter applications.
Need Rogers RO4003C fabrication?
Genuine RO4003C — Dk 3.38, Df 0.0027, lowest loss in RO4000 — in pure or hybrid stackups from 1 piece.
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