Multilayer Circuit Boards with Molybdenum‐copper Metal Cores

The thermal management of printed circuit boards with high component density is increasingly becoming an important factor in the efficiency and reliability of electronic systems. A well‐proven technique, which has been used to produce multilayer circuit boards in quantity for several years, is to incorporate metal foils. The metal foils significantly improve heat removal and impart to the circuit board a thermal expansion behaviour closely matching that of the ceramic chip carrier. Roll‐clad Copper‐Invar‐copper (CIC) and copper‐molybdenum‐copper (CMC) foils have been used for this purpose. This paper reports on the first use of Mo30Cu foils, a material produced by powder metallurgy consisting of 70% molybdenum and 30% copper. Contraves AG manufacture SMT multilayer circuit boards incorporating Mo30Cu foils produced by Metallwerk Plansee GmbH. With regard to machinability and physical characteristics, Mo30Cu foils are superior to roll‐clad foils. First of all, the high elastic modulus of Mo30Cu foils is worth mentioning. It positively influences thermal stability and mechanical stiffness of the circuit board.