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    Understanding Bismaleimide Triazine for PCB Applications

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    Tony Zh Yi
    ·July 18, 2025
    ·7 min read
    Understanding Bismaleimide Triazine for PCB Applications
    Image Source: pexels

    Bismaleimide triazine resin is special in printed circuit boards. It can handle high heat and does not let electricity pass easily. The bismaleimide-triazine market is growing around the world. This is because new electronics need better materials. BT epoxy is trusted for making pcbs. It works well and is strong. It has a glass transition temperature of 180 °C. It also stays stable when it gets hot.

    Property

    Value

    Glass Transition

    180 °C

    Dielectric Const.

    3.70 (1 GHz)

    Key Takeaways

    • BT epoxy resin is special because it can handle high heat and is very strong. This makes it great for printed circuit boards that need to last a long time. Its low dielectric constant helps signals stay clear. It also protects PCBs from chemicals in tough places. Engineers pick BT epoxy for new electronics. It works well with small and fast circuits. It also keeps boards safe when temperatures change.

    Bismaleimide Triazine in PCBs

    Bismaleimide Triazine in PCBs
    Image Source: pexels

    Key Properties

    Bismaleimide triazine resin is special for making PCBs. It has a unique chemical structure. This resin mixes bismaleimide and cyanate ester. The cyanate ester makes a triazine ring. The bismaleimide part forms strong rings with nitrogen. When heated, this mix becomes tough and stable. Manufacturers use woven fiberglass cloth with this resin. They make BT epoxy laminates with it. These laminates are very strong and stable in heat. They also have a low dielectric constant.

    The table below shows how BT epoxy compares to other PCB materials by glass transition temperature:

    PCB Material

    Typical Tg (°C)

    Characteristics

    FR4

    ~140

    Flame retardant epoxy fiberglass composite

    IS410 (FR4)

    180

    High Tg laminate, suitable for high-temperature PCB making

    IS420

    >170

    High-performance epoxy resin with enhanced thermal properties

    G200 (BT resin based)

    >170

    Epoxy and Bismaleimide/Triazine composite, high thermal resistance and strength, used in multilayer PCBs

    Bar chart comparing glass transition temperatures of FR4, IS410, IS420, and G200 (BT resin) PCB materials

    BT epoxy has many important features:

    These features make BT epoxy a great choice for tough PCB jobs.

    Performance Benefits

    BT epoxy keeps PCBs safe from heat. It helps them survive many soldering cycles and harsh places. Its high-temperature resistance stops warping and cracking. This is important during making and using the boards. The low dielectric constant helps signals move better. It reduces signal loss in fast circuits. This is needed for 5G, RF, and advanced computers.

    The table below shows how BT epoxy matches up with other materials:

    Property / Feature

    BT Epoxy Resin Characteristics

    Impact on PCB Reliability and Performance

    Thermal Stability

    High Tg (180°C–250°C)

    Resists warping and degradation during soldering

    Dielectric Constant (Dk)

    Low (3.2–3.4)

    Maintains signal integrity in high-frequency circuits

    Dielectric Loss

    Very low (0.003–0.004)

    Ensures minimal signal degradation

    Moisture Absorption

    Low

    Increases durability in humid environments

    Dimensional Stability

    High

    Supports complex multilayer designs

    Chemical Resistance

    Excellent

    Prevents corrosion and material breakdown

    Strength

    High mechanical strength

    Withstands mechanical stress and supports miniaturization

    Note: BT epoxy does not expand much when heated or cooled. This keeps multilayer PCBs steady. This is very important for accurate and reliable electronics.

    BT epoxy protects PCBs from harsh chemicals and water. This makes them last longer, even in cars, planes, and factories. Its strength helps hold tiny parts in place. This lets engineers make smaller and stronger devices.

    BT epoxy also helps stop signal delay and crosstalk in fast circuits. Its great electrical performance is good for telecom, medical, and consumer electronics. Because it is strong, stable, and resists chemicals, BT epoxy is perfect for modern electronics.

    BT Epoxy Applications and Comparisons

    BT Epoxy Applications and Comparisons
    Image Source: unsplash

    PCB Uses

    BT epoxy is very important in making advanced PCBs. Companies use it for many high-performance jobs. It is often used in flip-chip ball grid array (FC BGA) and flip-chip chip-scale package (FC CSP) substrates. These packaging types help make devices smaller and faster. BT epoxy is also found in mobile devices, consumer electronics, IT, and telecom. The table below lists the main uses and their market ranks:

    Application Type

    Description

    Market Share Rank

    Growth Rate

    Key Drivers

    FC BGA

    Uses BT epoxy resin instead of ceramic; offers shorter electrical pathways and improved performance

    Largest

    7.37% CAGR

    Reduced cost, higher electrical conductivity, faster performance

    FC CSP

    Space-efficient packaging favored in smartphones and wearables

    Second largest

    Not specified

    Demand from mobile devices, smart wearables, advanced silicon nodes

    Mobile & Consumer Electronics

    Dominant application sector for BT epoxy substrates

    Largest

    6.8% CAGR

    Smart device adoption, 5G, AI, HPC technologies

    IT & Telecom

    Second largest application sector

    Second largest

    Not specified

    5G infrastructure, data centers, IoT growth

    BT epoxy helps with high-density interconnect (HDI PCB) and advanced packaging. It keeps out water and keeps its shape well. It also stops electricity from leaking. These things are important for portable electronics and reliable modules. BT epoxy also helps stop bending and stress when heated and cooled. This makes it good for multilayer boards and lead-free assembly.

    Material Comparison

    Engineers compare BT epoxy with FR4 and ABF. Each material has special features that change how it works and how much it costs. The table below shows the main differences:

    Property

    BT Epoxy (G10)

    FR4

    ABF (Ajinomoto Build-up Film)

    Heat Resistance Temperature

    160-180°C (Class F)

    125-150°C (Class B)

    150-170°C

    Glass Transition Temperature

    180°C

    130-140°C

    150-170°C

    Dielectric Constant (Dk)

    3.2–3.7

    4.2–4.8

    3.0–3.5

    Mechanical Strength

    High

    Good

    Moderate

    Chemical Resistance

    Superior

    Good

    Good

    Moisture Absorption

    <0.05%

    0.10–0.20%

    0.10–0.20%

    Cost

    Most expensive

    Least expensive

    Moderate

    Application Focus

    High-reliability, HDI, advanced packaging

    General PCBs, consumer electronics

    HDI PCB, build-up layers

    • BT epoxy can handle more heat and is stronger than FR4. It also keeps out chemicals better and does not soak up much water.

    • FR4 is used for most PCBs because it is cheap and works well. It meets fire safety rules but does not handle heat as well.

    • ABF is used for HDI PCB as a build-up film. It costs less than BT epoxy and is good for high-density designs.

    BT epoxy PCBs last longer in tough jobs. They do not expand much when heated and have a high glass transition temperature. This helps stop damage from heating and cooling. BT epoxy also stops electromigration, which keeps circuits safe in high-voltage and fast uses. FR4 is fine for normal jobs but may not last as long as BT epoxy in hard places. ABF is often used with BT epoxy in multilayer boards.

    Advantages and Limitations

    BT epoxy has many good points for making PCBs:

    • Thermal and Electrical Performance:

      • It can handle high heat (180°C) and breaks down at 325°C.

      • It has a low dielectric constant (3.2–3.7) and low loss (0.014), which helps signals stay strong.

      • It insulates electricity well and can handle high voltage (1200 V/mil).

      • It moves heat away well with a thermal conductivity of 0.35 W/m·K.

    • Strength and Durability:

      • It is very strong and helps make small, complex boards.

      • It keeps out chemicals and water (<0.05%), so it works well in tough places.

      • It keeps its shape and does not bend much when heated or cooled.

    • Reliability:

      • It does not expand much, so copper parts do not break.

      • It stops electromigration, which keeps circuits working in advanced packaging.

    💡 Tip: BT epoxy is best for HDI PCB and advanced packaging when you need strong and reliable boards.

    But BT epoxy also has some downsides:

    • Cost:

    • Processing Challenges:

      • Making PCBs with BT epoxy needs careful control. Drilling must be exact and heat must be managed to avoid problems.

      • You must watch for signal problems and interference.

      • Every step needs good quality checks to make sure it works right.

    • Failure Mechanisms:

      • Common problems are wire bonds breaking, metal mixing, layers coming apart, and solder joints getting tired. These happen from heat and stress during temperature changes.

    Innovations and Modifications

    Makers keep making BT epoxy better by adding new things and mixing it with other resins. These changes help it keep out water, get stronger, and work better with electricity. Some companies, like HOREXS, have new ways to make BT substrates. Their skills help make strong solutions for computers, 5G, and mobile devices.

    Engineers pick bismaleimide triazine because it stays strong in heat. It also does not let electricity pass easily and keeps out water. Knowing these things helps engineers fix design problems. It also helps them pick the best material for the job. New changes in BT resin help make better electronics. These new electronics are needed in new markets that want strong and reliable devices.

    FAQ

    What makes BT epoxy different from FR4 in PCBs?

    BT epoxy can handle more heat and water than FR4. It also lets less electricity pass through. Engineers pick BT epoxy when they need strong and dependable boards.

    Can BT epoxy be used in flexible PCBs?

    BT epoxy is best for hard PCBs. Flexible PCBs need stuff that bends well. BT epoxy is not bendy enough for those uses.

    Why do engineers prefer BT epoxy for advanced packaging?

    • BT epoxy works with tiny lines and small gaps.

    • It stays the same shape when it gets hot.

    • It keeps circuits safe in fast and crowded boards.

    See Also

    Key Considerations When Designing Printed Circuit Boards

    Exploring Multilayer PCB Uses In Various Industry Sectors

    Essential Skills Needed For Multi-Layer PCB Layout Design

    Critical Process Standards For Multi-Impedance Control In PCB Manufacturing

    Typical PCB Design Challenges And Fixes For SMT Technology Needs