CLTE-AT Laminates Data Sheet
 

CLTE-AT™ laminates are high-performance Rogers high-frequency PCB materials designed for applications that require exceptional dimensional stability, low dielectric loss, and ultra-reliable performance under thermal stress. These laminates are widely used in RF PCB design, microwave circuits, phased array antennas, radar systems, and high-reliability communication systems.

As a member of the CLTE series, CLTE-AT is engineered to deliver a balanced combination of electrical performance, mechanical stability, and thermal reliability, making it suitable for advanced multilayer PCB structures.

Material Overview (CLTE-AT)

CLTE-AT laminates

CLTE-AT is a ceramic-filled PTFE-based composite laminate reinforced with woven glass. It is specifically designed to maintain stable electrical properties across temperature variations and mechanical stress conditions.

This makes it ideal for:

  • High-frequency RF circuits
  • High-layer-count multilayer PCB designs
  • Systems requiring tight impedance control
  • Long-term reliability in harsh environments

Key Electrical Properties

CLTE-AT provides excellent RF performance due to its stable dielectric characteristics:

Dielectric Constant (Dk)

εr≈3.00\varepsilon_r \approx 3.00εr3.00

  • Typical dielectric constant: 3.00 ± 0.04 @ 10 GHz
  • Extremely stable over temperature and frequency
  • Ensures consistent controlled impedance PCB design

Dissipation Factor (Df)

tan⁡δ≈0.0013\tan\delta \approx 0.0013tanδ0.0013

Thermal and Mechanical Properties

CLTE-AT is optimized for thermal reliability and dimensional stability, which is critical in multilayer RF PCB fabrication.

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)

CLTE-AT laminates

  • X-axis: ~8 ppm/°C
  • Y-axis: ~8 ppm/°C
  • Z-axis: ~20 ppm/°C

These ultra-low CTE values significantly improve:

  • Via reliability in multilayer PCBs
  • Thermal cycling durability
  • Mechanical stability during PCB assembly

Thermal Conductivity

  • Approximately 0.64 W/m·K

This helps:

  • Improve heat dissipation in RF power circuits
  • Reduce localized hot spots in high-power PCB designs

Electrical Stability Advantages

One of the most important features of CLTE-AT is its stable dielectric performance across temperature ranges:

  • Minimal dielectric constant variation with temperature
  • Stable phase performance in RF transmission lines
  • Reduced signal distortion in microwave frequencies

This is essential for:

  • Phased array antennas
  • 5G/6G communication modules
  • Radar and satellite systems

Mechanical and Reliability Benefits

CLTE-AT laminates are engineered for high-reliability PCB manufacturing environments:

  • Excellent plated through-hole reliability (PTH)
  • Reduced mechanical stress on solder joints
  • Strong adhesion with copper foils
  • Suitable for heavy copper and multilayer stack-ups

These properties make it highly suitable for:

  • Aerospace electronics
  • Defense RF systems
  • High-reliability industrial communication boards

Key Advantages of CLTE-AT Laminates

  • Ultra-stable dielectric constant (~3.0)
  • Very low loss tangent (~0.0013)
  • Excellent dimensional stability (low CTE)
  • High multilayer PCB reliability
  • Low signal distortion at microwave frequencies
  • Strong compatibility with complex RF PCB designs

Typical Applications

CLTE-AT laminates are widely used in:

  • RF and microwave PCBs
  • Phased array antenna systems
  • Radar and defense electronics
  • Power amplifiers
  • Communication base stations
  • High-speed RF modules
  • Aerospace and satellite systems

Conclusion

The CLTE-AT laminate data sheet highlights a high-performance RF PCB material engineered for low loss, high stability, and superior dimensional control. With its combination of stable dielectric properties, low CTE, and excellent thermal behavior, CLTE-AT is an ideal choice for next-generation high-frequency and high-reliability PCB applications.

For engineers designing advanced RF systems, CLTE-AT provides a strong foundation for achieving consistent impedance control, minimal signal loss, and long-term system reliability.

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