Taconic RF-35
Dk 3.50 | Df 0.0018 @ 10 GHz — PTFE performance with easier processing and competitive cost for commercial RF.
3.50
Dk @ 10 GHz
0.0018
Df @ 10 GHz
173
ppm/C CTE-z
0.40
W/m K
What is Taconic RF-35?
Taconic RF-35 is a woven glass reinforced PTFE laminate that bridges the gap between expensive pure PTFE materials and FR-4-processable hydrocarbon ceramics. With Dk 3.50 and Df 0.0018 at 10 GHz, it offers approximately 50% lower loss than Rogers RO4350B while remaining significantly less expensive than RT/duroid 5880.
RF-35 processes more easily than pure PTFE laminates — its woven glass reinforcement provides mechanical stability while the PTFE matrix delivers low-loss RF performance. This combination reduces fabrication cost compared to unreinforced PTFE while maintaining insertion loss advantages over hydrocarbon alternatives.
The material finds its sweet spot in commercial RF applications where RO4350B loss is marginally too high but RT/duroid 5880 cost cannot be justified. Base station antenna feeds, automotive radar modules, and high-volume commercial RF designs specify RF-35 for this cost-performance balance.
50% Lower Loss than RO4350B
Df 0.0018 versus 0.0037 — measurable insertion loss improvement without PTFE pricing.
Easier Processing than Pure PTFE
Woven glass reinforcement simplifies handling and multilayer lamination.
RO4350B-Class Dk
Dk 3.50 means minimal redesign when migrating from RO4350B for better performance.
Good Thermal Stability
0.40 W/m K conductivity and moderate CTE for reliable operation.
Taconic RF-35 Key Properties
Representative values from the manufacturer datasheet.
| Property | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dielectric constant (Dk) | 3.50 @ 10 GHz | Near-identical to RO4350B for straightforward migration. |
| Dk tolerance | +/-0.05 | Production-repeatable impedance matching. |
| Dissipation factor (Df) | 0.0018 @ 10 GHz | Half the loss of RO4350B, approaching pure PTFE territory. |
| Thermal conductivity | ~0.40 W/m K | Moderate heat spreading for commercial RF power levels. |
| CTE z-axis | ~173 ppm/C | Lower than pure PTFE, better PTH reliability. |
| Reinforcement | Woven E-glass / PTFE | Dimensional stability with PTFE loss benefits. |
| Peel strength | 8+ lb/in | Good copper adhesion without special treatment. |
| Flammability | UL 94 V-0 (check grade) | Some grades carry UL listing for commercial use. |
| Available thickness | 0.254-3.175 mm | Standard range for single and multilayer RF builds. |
Why Commercial RF Designs Choose RF-35
The economics of RF-35 make sense when you map cost against loss performance. At Df 0.0018, RF-35 sits exactly between RO4350B (0.0037) and RT/duroid 5880 (0.0009) — delivering 50% of the loss reduction at roughly 30% of the cost premium. For applications with moderate loss budgets, this is the efficient point on the cost-performance curve.
Base station antenna designers specify RF-35 because a 10 cm feed network at 2.4 GHz saves approximately 0.05 dB versus RO4350B. Across an 8-element array with multiple feed splits, that 0.05 dB per trace compounds to 0.3-0.4 dB system improvement — enough to extend cell coverage radius by 5-8% without increasing transmit power.
Automotive radar modules at 24 GHz and 77 GHz use RF-35 for its combination of acceptable loss, reasonable cost in volume, and better processability than pure PTFE. The woven glass reinforcement tolerates the mechanical stresses of automotive assembly processes that can damage unreinforced PTFE laminates.
RO4350B Migration Path
Same Dk (3.50 vs 3.48) means existing RO4350B designs port with minimal retuning.
Automotive Qualified
Used in volume automotive radar modules with proven reliability.
Base Station Proven
Deployed in commercial 4G/5G base station antenna feeds worldwide.
Multilayer Capable
Woven glass enables reliable multilayer construction unlike pure PTFE.
Mid-Range RF Laminate Comparison
RF-35 in context between hydrocarbon ceramics and pure PTFE.
| Material | Dk | Df | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taconic RF-35This page | 3.50 | 0.0018 | PTFE/glass mid-range — base stations, automotive, commercial RF. |
| Rogers RO4350B | 3.48 | 0.0037 | Hydrocarbon ceramic — FR-4 processing, UL 94 V-0, higher loss. |
| Rogers RO4003C | 3.38 | 0.0027 | Lowest-loss hydrocarbon — satellite, LNA, no UL rating. |
| Rogers RT/duroid 5880 | 2.20 | 0.0009 | Pure PTFE — space-grade, highest cost, special processing. |
| Shengyi S7136H | 3.60 | 0.0035 | Chinese PTFE alternative — domestic 5G, lowest cost. |
Taconic RF-35 Applications
Base station antennas, automotive radar, commercial RF modules, cost-sensitive high-frequency designs
Base Station Antennas
4G/5G macro cell antenna feed networks where loss impacts coverage radius.
Automotive Radar
24 GHz and 77 GHz ADAS radar modules in volume production.
Commercial Antenna Arrays
GPS, GNSS, and point-to-point link antenna assemblies.
RF Module Integration
Power amplifier, filter, and mixer boards in commercial transceiver modules.
Industrial Radar
Level sensing, motion detection, and industrial radar at 24-77 GHz.
VSAT Terminals
Very small aperture terminal antenna boards for satellite internet.
RF-35 Design and Migration Guide
Migrating from RO4350B to RF-35 requires minimal redesign. The Dk match (3.50 vs 3.48) means trace widths, coupling gaps, and matching networks transfer directly. Verify impedance on a prototype coupon — typical adjustment is under 2% trace width change.
RF-35 laminates easier than pure PTFE but still benefits from controlled drill parameters and proper surface preparation for plated holes. Standard processing with carbide drills and direct metallization works for most builds.
Get Instant QuoteDrop-In for RO4350B
Same Dk means existing designs port with minimal impedance adjustment.
Standard Drilling
Woven glass reinforcement enables conventional CNC drilling.
Hybrid Compatible
Can be combined with FR-4 in hybrid stackups for further cost reduction.
Automotive Reliable
Proven thermal cycling performance for under-hood environments.
Genuine Taconic RF-35, 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
Taconic RF-35 Questions
What is Taconic RF-35?
A PTFE/woven glass laminate with Dk 3.50 and Df 0.0018 at 10 GHz — offering 50% lower loss than RO4350B at a moderate cost premium, ideal for commercial RF applications.
RF-35 vs RO4350B — why switch?
RF-35 has half the dielectric loss (Df 0.0018 vs 0.0037) at similar Dk. Switch when your link budget needs improvement but pure PTFE cost is not justified.
Can RF-35 replace RO4350B without redesign?
Nearly. Dk 3.50 vs 3.48 means trace dimensions transfer with typically less than 2% width adjustment. Verify on prototype.
Is RF-35 suitable for automotive applications?
Yes. RF-35 is used in volume automotive radar production with proven reliability through thermal cycling and vibration testing.
What frequency range does RF-35 cover?
Characterized from 1 GHz to 77 GHz. Most commonly used in 2-77 GHz commercial RF and automotive radar designs.
Need Taconic RF-35 fabrication?
RF-35 — Dk 3.50, Df 0.0018, commercial PTFE performance — from prototype to volume production.
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