Rogers RT/duroid 5880
Dk 2.20 | Df 0.0009 @ 10 GHz — the lowest-loss PTFE laminate for space-grade antennas and phased array systems.
2.20
Dk @ 10 GHz
0.0009
Df @ 10 GHz
237
ppm/C CTE-z
0.20
W/m K
What is Rogers RT/duroid 5880?
Rogers RT/duroid 5880 is a PTFE/glass microfiber composite laminate offering the lowest dielectric loss in the Rogers portfolio. With Dk 2.20 and Df 0.0009, it sets the performance ceiling for applications where insertion loss directly limits system range or sensitivity.
Unlike hydrocarbon ceramics (RO4000 series), RT/duroid 5880 is a pure PTFE material. It requires sodium-etch or plasma treatment for plated through-hole adhesion, and its high z-axis CTE (~237 ppm/C) means careful thermal design for multilayer builds. These trade-offs are accepted because no other commercially available laminate matches its loss performance.
RT/duroid 5880 has been the default material for space-grade and military phased array antennas since the 1980s. Its flight heritage spans hundreds of satellite programs and thousands of ground-based radar installations worldwide.
Lowest Available Loss
Df 0.0009 at 10 GHz — unmatched insertion loss for maximum signal preservation.
Stable Dk vs Frequency
Dk 2.20 stays flat from 1 GHz through 77 GHz for predictable broadband performance.
Space Flight Heritage
Decades of proven reliability in LEO, MEO, and GEO satellite antenna systems.
Tight Dk Control
Plus/minus 0.02 tolerance for repeatable antenna resonance and impedance matching.
Rogers RT/duroid 5880 Key Properties
Representative values from the manufacturer datasheet.
| Property | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric constant (Dk) | 2.20 @ 10 GHz | Very low Dk enables wider traces for given impedance, reducing conductor loss. |
| Dk tolerance | +/-0.02 | Tightest in the industry for precision antenna frequency targeting. |
| Dissipation factor (Df) | 0.0009 @ 10 GHz | Lowest commercially available — space-grade signal preservation. |
| CTE z-axis | ~237 ppm/C | High expansion requires careful PTH design for reliability. |
| Thermal conductivity | 0.20 W/m K | Low — heat management needs external solutions for high-power. |
| Density | 2.20 g/cm3 | Lightweight for airborne and space antenna structures. |
| Moisture absorption | 0.02% | Near-zero moisture uptake maintains Dk in all environments. |
| Reinforcement | PTFE/glass microfiber | Random microfiber for isotropic Dk — no weave-induced variation. |
| Processing | Requires sodium etch | Special PTH preparation adds process steps versus FR-4 compatible materials. |
Why Space and Defense Programs Specify RT/duroid 5880
At millimeter-wave frequencies, substrate loss dominates the link budget. A 10 cm feed line at 77 GHz loses approximately 0.3 dB on RT/duroid 5880 versus 1.2 dB on standard FR-4. That 0.9 dB difference directly translates to radar detection range or communication distance.
The random glass microfiber reinforcement (as opposed to woven glass) eliminates the periodic Dk variation that creates spurious coupling in phased array designs. This makes RT/duroid 5880 the only choice for large-format antenna arrays where element-to-element phase consistency matters.
Despite its processing complexity and cost premium, RT/duroid 5880 remains irreplaceable for applications above 20 GHz where system performance justifies the investment. Below 10 GHz, modern hydrocarbon ceramics like RO4003C offer 90% of the performance at 40% of the cost.
Flight-Qualified Material
Proven on hundreds of satellite programs with radiation and outgassing qualification data available.
Isotropic Dk
Random microfiber eliminates weave-pattern artifacts that degrade phased array performance.
Broadband Stability
Dk 2.20 from DC to 77 GHz with no resonant dips from glass weave periodicity.
MIL-Spec Qualified
Meets MIL-P-13949 and multiple defense prime contractor specifications.
Ultra-Low-Loss Laminate Comparison
RT/duroid 5880 versus alternative low-loss materials.
| Material | Dk | Df | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers RT/duroid 5880This page | 2.20 | 0.0009 | Lowest loss — space antennas, phased arrays, mmWave. |
| Taconic TLY-5 | 2.20 | 0.0009 | Military PTFE alternative — similar performance, different supply chain. |
| Arlon DiClad 880 | 2.17 | 0.0009 | Lightweight PTFE — airborne and weight-critical applications. |
| Rogers RO3003 | 3.00 | 0.0010 | Ceramic PTFE — 77 GHz radar, no glass reinforcement. |
| Rogers RO4003C | 3.38 | 0.0027 | Hydrocarbon ceramic — FR-4 processing, moderate loss trade-off. |
Rogers RT/duroid 5880 Applications
Space-grade antennas, phased arrays, satellite feeds, lowest-loss millimeter-wave designs
Space Antennas
GEO/LEO/MEO satellite communication and Earth observation antenna arrays.
Phased Array Radar
Ground, ship, and airborne AESA radar antenna feed networks.
Patch Antenna Arrays
High-gain patch arrays for satellite uplinks and point-to-point links.
Airborne Systems
Avionics radar, EW, and SATCOM antenna assemblies on military platforms.
5G mmWave
Millimeter-wave base station antenna modules above 24 GHz.
Test Fixtures
Precision RF test fixtures and calibration standards at millimeter-wave frequencies.
RT/duroid 5880 Design Considerations
RT/duroid 5880 requires sodium-etch surface preparation for reliable plated through-hole adhesion. This adds process cost and limits the number of qualified fabricators. Plan for longer lead times and higher NRE compared to FR-4-compatible materials.
The high z-axis CTE (237 ppm/C) means PTH reliability degrades rapidly with increasing board thickness. Keep total thickness below 1.6 mm for standard PTH, or use blind/buried vias for thicker constructions. For space applications, consult IPC-6012DS for Class 3/A requirements.
Get Instant QuoteThin Constructions Preferred
Keep below 1.6 mm total thickness for reliable PTH given high z-axis CTE.
Sodium Etch Required
Special PTH preparation — confirm fabricator qualification before committing.
Thermal Management
Low thermal conductivity (0.20 W/m K) needs external heatsinking for high-power.
Space Qualification Data
Outgassing (ASTM E595) and radiation data available for flight programs.
Genuine Rogers RT/duroid 5880, 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 RT/duroid 5880 Questions
What is Rogers RT/duroid 5880?
A PTFE/glass microfiber laminate with Dk 2.20 and Df 0.0009 at 10 GHz — the lowest-loss commercially available PCB substrate for space and defense antenna applications.
Why does RT/duroid 5880 need special processing?
PTFE does not bond well to copper without surface treatment. Sodium etch or plasma creates micro-roughness for mechanical adhesion. This limits qualified fabricators but is standard practice for PTFE materials.
RT/duroid 5880 vs RO4003C — when to use which?
Use 5880 above 20 GHz or when absolute lowest loss is required (space, phased arrays). Use RO4003C below 10 GHz where FR-4 processing and lower cost outweigh the 3x Df difference.
What is the maximum frequency for RT/duroid 5880?
Characterized and proven to 77 GHz and beyond. The random microfiber structure avoids weave-related resonances that limit woven-glass materials above 30 GHz.
Can AtlasPCB fabricate RT/duroid 5880 boards?
Yes. We maintain qualified PTFE processing lines with sodium-etch capability, supporting RT/duroid 5880 from prototype through production volumes.
Need RT/duroid 5880 fabrication?
Genuine Rogers RT/duroid 5880 — Dk 2.20, Df 0.0009, space-grade performance — from prototype to production.
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