Circuit boards are an integral part of many electronic products. They guide the charge required to operate various devices from mobile phones to digital watches. Without them, most of our electronic products will not work properly.

Usually, traditional circuit boards can solve the problem. However, certain situations require specialized solutions. Sometimes, the manufacturer may wish to import the circuit board into a location that a normal board cannot handle. Some circuit boards need to withstand extreme conditions, such as high temperature and high pressure. In this case, manufacturers will be more creative in circuit board design.

Circuit boards are commonly called printed circuit boards or PCBs, and include insulators and wires of conductive material. In most PCBs, the insulator is green glass fiber, which grounds the circuit board, provides heat resistance, or has other functions. Copper is generally used to conduct electricity and is connected by welding the metal to the insulator.

Circuit board manufacturers sometimes substitute materials when manufacturing circuit boards for special purposes. If the circuit boards are exposed to extreme environments, they may need to use stronger materials or materials with certain characteristics.

At other times, the circuit board design will be different to make the circuit board more adaptable. The flexible board or strip circuit board has flexibility. This allows manufacturers to place them in a device where it is not normally possible. They can be bent to fit in small spaces and surround other equipment components.

The aerospace industry is an industry that requires PCBs that are stronger than ordinary everyday electronic products. Components used in airplanes, space shuttles, satellites, and control towers need to be very reliable under extreme conditions. They are exposed to some unusual environments that will put more pressure on standard PCBs than they can withstand. If these basic components fail, the result can be catastrophic.

This is why circuit board manufacturers take extreme precautions in the aerospace industry and use particularly durable materials. Advances in circuit boards have made the aerospace industry safer and more efficient, thereby benefiting the aerospace industry.

The following is how aerospace circuit boards can withstand some of the harsh conditions they face.

In outer space, electronic devices may be exposed to temperatures as low as minus 150 degrees Celsius. In a vacuum space, there is no air to transfer heat, so the only way to transfer heat is through radiation.

Manufacturers use certain high-temperature laminates, copper and aluminum substrates in aerospace PCBs so that they can withstand these extreme temperatures. Thermal paste is also commonly used to isolate heat and prevent heat transfer to other electronic components.

Components can be placed approximately 20 thousandths of an inch from the surface of the circuit board, or space can be used to promote heat dissipation. In aviation, fans can be used to remove excess heat.

Heat can also cause oxidation. The use of anodized aluminum can eliminate this possible problem.

Electronic products used in the aerospace industry may also be subject to mechanical abuse, such as excessive shock and vibration.

In order for the PCB to withstand these conditions, manufacturers sometimes change the design of the circuit board. Some use pins pressed into the circuit board to help hold the component in place, rather than using soldering. Sometimes, engineers will combine pins and soldering to improve safety.

Some strategies to make PCBs more resistant to high or low temperatures can also be used to prevent shock and vibration. Applying thermal paste to the circuit board helps reduce the effects of fluctuations. Leaving a small space between the component and the surface of the circuit board can also relieve stress on the PCB.

PCBs used in outer space also need to overcome another unique challenge. If the equipment cannot withstand its effects, the higher levels of radiation in space may cause damage to the equipment.

Manufacturers try to use various materials to protect electronic devices from radiation. They also make components smaller, so there are fewer parts at risk of radiation. They also established a backup so that a single radiation event would not disable the entire operation.

Anti-fuse technology creates a permanent path that can conduct electricity between transistors and has been found to be more resistant to radiation. By using thinner material layers, other types of circuits have become more flexible.

In aviation, radio waves must be used for communication, so it is vital that signals can be transmitted without degradation in any way.

To ensure the normal passage of radio communications, manufacturers must place shields at important locations on the PCB, and sometimes use antennas. Keeping the transmission line as short as possible also helps to ensure the correct transmission of radio communications.

We use circuit boards every day, and they are essential to most of our electronic products. However, our gadgets usually do not have to withstand any extreme temperatures or radiation. For printed circuit boards in the aerospace industry, they need to be able to withstand more.

Advances in circuit board design and production have allowed the aerospace industry to develop. Without aerospace circuit boards that can handle radiation, we may not be able to explore deep space or send satellites into earth orbit. If the circuit boards used in jet aircraft cannot withstand a wide range of shocks and vibrations, they may be damaged, creating a dangerous situation.

As circuit board manufacturers continue to innovate new ways to make PCBs more versatile, robust and reliable, the aerospace industry will also benefit. Aerospace equipment will be able to use PCBs in a more efficient manner, reduce the frequency of maintenance and operate more reliably and efficiently. Although circuit boards are only a small part of the aerospace industry, they are an important industry that can have a wide-ranging impact on the entire industry.

By subscribing, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

By subscribing, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.