Before making an in-depth comparison, it is important to clarify that “FR4” is not the name of a specific material, but rather a classification code meaning “Flame Retardant Level 4.”
This means all FR4 materials share excellent flame-retardant properties.
Whether it is a standard FR4 epoxy board or an FR4 anti-static (ESD) board, both are typically reinforced with glass fiber cloth and share the following common advantages:
♦ Excellent mechanical strength and dimensional stability.
♦ Good thermal resistance, suitable for a wide range of operating temperatures.
♦ High electrical insulation, which is a fundamental property of these materials.
♦ Excellent machinability, making drilling, cutting, and punching easy.
The key differences between these two types of boards mainly come from their resin systems and the electrical properties resulting from those resin systems.
Its high volume resistivity makes it an ideal insulating material, widely used as the substrate of printed circuit boards, effectively ensuring electrical isolation between circuits.
However, this high insulation property also brings a drawback—when friction or separation occurs with other materials, static charges are easily generated. Since these charges cannot dissipate quickly, they accumulate to high voltages, posing a potentially severe risk to surrounding electrostatic-sensitive components.
This type of board is specifically designed to address the static electricity issue. By controlling its resistivity within a defined anti-static range (10^6–10^9 Ω), it avoids acting like a conductor that could easily cause short circuits, while allowing static charges to discharge to ground in a controlled and gradual manner.
This controlled discharge neutralizes charges and prevents electrostatic discharge (ESD) events.
This resistivity range is the key to balancing discharge speed and circuit safety.
Selecting the appropriate type of FR4 board mainly depends on how sensitive the application is to static electricity.
General Printed Circuit Boards: Most consumer electronics use PCBs made from standard FR4 epoxy boards. Components in these products typically have strong ESD tolerance, so standard FR4 material is sufficient.
High-Strength Insulating Components: Such as transformer spacers, motor insulation slots, and structural support parts inside electrical equipment.
General Electrical Equipment: Distribution boxes, switchgear, and other devices where no special anti-static protection is required.
Conclusion: When static charge accumulation and discharge are not concerns, the more cost-effective FR4 epoxy board is the recommended choice.
Test Fixtures and Carriers for ESD-Sensitive Components: During the testing, transportation, and assembly of expensive and sensitive devices such as IC chips, microprocessors, and sensors, anti-static carriers must be used to prevent ESD (electrostatic discharge) damage.
Semiconductor and Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Equipment: Including wafer carriers, internal partitions of equipment, and workbench panels.
Communication and Server Equipment: Trays and brackets used for installing sensitive modules such as hard drives and memory modules.
Medical and Precision Instruments: Structural components inside precision medical equipment and analytical instruments that require strict static control.
Conclusion: When the product involves components that are highly sensitive to static electricity, FR4 anti-static boards must be used.
Q1: Is anti-static FR4 considered a conductive material?
Not exactly. Anti-static FR4 is not a good conductor like metal. Its resistivity is several orders of magnitude higher than that of conductive materials. It falls within the electrostatic dissipative range, meaning it can safely discharge static electricity without causing electrical short circuits.
Q2: Can standard FR4 be made anti-static through surface treatment?
Yes, it is possible—for example, by applying an anti-static coating.
However, such surface coatings have poor wear resistance and can fail easily due to scratches, resulting in limited service life.
In contrast, integrated anti-static FR4 boards achieve ESD properties through internal material modification, providing more stable and long-lasting performance.
Q3: How can I test whether an FR4 anti-static board meets performance standards?
You need to use a surface resistance tester or high-resistance meter.
Its surface resistance should be measured according to relevant standards to ensure the value falls within the 10⁶–10⁹ Ω effective ESD-safe range.
If you need insulation performance and structural strength, and the application has no static electricity risk, choose standard FR4 epoxy board.
If the application involves precision, expensive, and ESD-sensitive components, you must choose FR4 anti-static (ESD) board.
When selecting materials, always communicate fully with your supplier to clarify application conditions and technical requirements. If needed, request material certification documents and resistance test reports.
Choosing the right material improves product reliability, helps control costs, and prevents major losses caused by incorrect material selection.
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