What is a Rigid PCB?

A rigid printed circuit board (PCB) is the most traditional and widely used type of circuit board. As the name suggests, rigid PCBs have a solid, inflexible structure that cannot be bent or reshaped once manufactured. They are found in countless everyday products and continue to play a vital role across industries.

Rigid PCBs are built from multiple layers, including a substrate layer, copper layer, solder mask, and silkscreen layer, all bonded together using adhesive and heat. They can be designed as single-sided, double-sided, or multi layered boards depending on the application’s requirements. However, once fabricated, their form is fixed and cannot be modified.

When Should You Use a Rigid PCB, And What Are the Benefits?

Rigid PCBs are an excellent choice when you need:

Cost-effective, high-volume production – ideal for large manufacturing runs
Enhanced durability – they typically offer greater mechanical strength compared to flexible PCBs
High circuit density – allowing for compact designs with reliable performance

These boards are especially valuable in applications where it’s crucial for components to stay firmly in place, even under heat or mechanical stress.

Where Are Rigid PCBs Used?

Rigid PCBs are used across a wide range of everyday devices and critical systems, including:

Consumer electronics:

GPS devices
Computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones

Medical equipment:

X-ray machines
Heart monitors
CAT scanners
MRI systems

Aerospace and aviation:

Aircraft cockpit instrumentation
Temperature sensors
Air traffic control tower systems

Thanks to their ability to withstand high temperatures - often using copper or aluminium substrates - rigid PCBs are well-suited for demanding environments like aerospace and medical industries.

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