The conductor commonly used to print circuits on a printed circuit board is?

General
1

the conductor commonly used to print circuits on a printed circuit board is?

2

The conductor commonly used to print circuits on a printed circuit board is?

Answer:
The conductor most commonly used for printed circuits on a printed circuit board (PCB) is copper. Copper is preferred for several reasons, including its excellent electrical conductivity, relatively low cost, and good availability. Here’s a detailed explanation:

Reasons for Using Copper in PCBs

  1. High Electrical Conductivity:

    • Copper has a high electrical conductivity, allowing it to efficiently conduct electrical signals with minimal resistance. This property is crucial for the proper functionality of electronic devices.
    \sigma_{\text{Cu}} \approx 5.96 \times 10^7 \,\text{S/m}

  2. Affordability:

    • Despite being costlier than some other materials like aluminum, copper provides a balance between performance and cost. It is economically viable for large-scale manufacturing while providing optimal performance.

  3. Availability:

    • Copper is abundantly available and widely used in various industries, making it easy to procure in large quantities for PCB manufacturing.

  4. Thermal Conductivity:

    • Copper also has excellent thermal conductivity, which helps in dissipating heat generated by electronic components. This property is vital in preventing overheating and ensuring the longevity of the components.
    \kappa_{\text{Cu}} \approx 401 \,\text{W/mK}

  5. Ease of Manufacturing:

    • Copper can be easily etched, plated, and soldered, which simplifies the PCB manufacturing process. The etching process involves creating the desired circuit patterns on the board by removing the unwanted copper.

PCB Manufacturing Process Overview

  1. Design:

    • The PCB layout is designed using specialized software. This design includes the placement of components and the routing of electrical connections.

  2. Lamination:

    • The PCB starts as a laminate, usually made of a fiberglass material with a copper coating on one or both sides.

  3. Etching:

    • In the etching process, unwanted copper is removed from the PCB laminate to create the desired circuit patterns. This is typically done using a chemical solution that dissolves the exposed copper.

  4. Drilling:

    • Holes are drilled into the PCB for mounting components and for creating vias (connections between different layers of the PCB).

  5. Plating:

    • The drilled holes are plated with copper to establish electrical connections between the different layers.

  6. Solder Mask Application:

    • A solder mask is applied to protect the copper traces from oxidation and to prevent short circuits. The solder mask also provides insulation and improves the PCB’s overall appearance.

  7. Silkscreen Printing:

    • The silkscreen layer is printed, which includes component labels, logos, and other important markings.

  8. Component Mounting:

    • Components are mounted onto the PCB using soldering processes such as wave soldering or reflow soldering.

  9. Testing:

    • The final PCB undergoes various testing procedures to ensure that it functions correctly and meets the required specifications.

By using copper, manufacturers can ensure that the PCBs perform reliably in a wide range of electronic applications, from consumer electronics to industrial machinery.

Final Answer:
The conductor commonly used to print circuits on a printed circuit board (PCB) is copper.