NORITAKE ITRON CORPORATION
| Thick Film Circuit Substrates

PROBLEMAre you facing any of these challenges with circuit substrates?

You know the operating environment and required performance, but the substrate structure, materials, or prototyping partner have not yet been decided.

• 01

  

  Concerned about the heat resistance of FR-4

• 02

  

  Concerned about moisture, chemicals, or temperature changes

• 03

  

  Unable to find an finding a supplier for small-volume production

• 04

  

  Difficult to consult when specifications are not yet finalized

• 05

  

  Need to plan for mass production after prototyping

ANSWERNoritake's ceramic thick-film circuit substrates can help solve these challenges.

Rely on us for development prototypes through mass production.

WHY NORITAKEWhy Choose Noritake

Thick-film circuit substrates are jointly developed products that require detailed study of performance,
operating environment, quantity, evaluation conditions, and other factors.
Noritake provides consistent support from initial design stage through mass production.

• 01

  Supports small-lot prototyping through mass production.

  We propose a flexible process from prototyping to production transfer according to your planned quantity.

• 02

  Technical support from the design stage

  You can consult with us from the early study stage on substrate structure, conductor materials, resistors, and other elements according to the required performance.

• 03

  Custom development of electronic pastes

  In collaboration with the Noritake Group's electronic paste business, we can also develop custom materials tailored to specific applications.

TECHNOLOGYWhat Are Noritake's Thick Film Circuit Substrates?

Noritake's thick-film circuit substrates are circuit substrates formed by creating conductors,
resistors, protective layers, and other elements on ceramic substrates.
They are suitable for applications that require heat dissipation, insulation, and heat resistance at the same time.

COMPARISONDifferences Between Ceramic Substrates and Other Substrates

FR-4 substrates are candidates for general environments, and aluminum substrates are candidates when heat dissipation is emphasized.
However, when heat resistance, heat dissipation, insulation, and environmental durability are all important, ceramic thick-film circuit substrates become the primary candidate.

	For applications that require heat resistance, insulation, environmental durability, and long-term reliability at the same time.	For electronic circuits in general environments where cost is a priority.	For relatively simple circuit structures where high-temperature performance is a priority.
	Ceramic substrate (96% alumina)	FR-4 substrate (glass epoxy)	Aluminum substrate (aluminum base)
Thermal conductivity	Approx. 23W/(m･K) The substrate itself serves as a heat sink.	Approx. 0.3W/(m･K) Poor heat dissipation	Approx. 2W/(m･K) Weak thermal conduction due to the insulating layer
Coefficient of thermal expansion	Approx. 8×10-6/℃ Low expansion and less prone to failure	Approx. 14×10-6/℃ Risk of solder cracking	Approx. 24×10-6/℃ Significantly affected by metal expansion
Flexural strength	Approx. 400MPa Very hard	Approx. 540MPa Flexible, but low in strength	The base metal is strong, but prone to delamination.
Continuous operating temperature	Excellent Excellent thermal resistance	Not suitable Risk of carbonization	Not suitable Degradation of dielectric layer
Dielectric tangent	Excellent Extremely low loss	Not suitable High loss	Not suitable Depends on the insulating layer
Excellent resistance to deterioration Chemical resistance	Excellent Excellent resistance to deterioration	Not suitable Weak against moisture and chemicals	Not suitable Concerns about aging degradation and corrosion

STRUCTURE & SPECSSubstrate Structures and Standard Specifications Available for Prototyping
and Production

We support single-layer, through-hole, crossover, and multilayer structures according to the circuit.
Based on standard specifications, we support substrate design from the prototype stage through production.

APPLICATIONS Applications and Adoption Examples

They are used in fields requiring high reliability, such as automotive, medical, and industrial equipment applications.

• Automotive

  Reliability in high-temperature, vibration, and long-term operating environments

  

  Various sensors, LEDs, and hybrid ICs

  Ceramic substrates are selected for automotive environments exposed to heat and vibration because they can maintain stable circuit characteristics.

• Medical

  Dimensional stability and long-term reliability supporting sensor accuracy

  

  Medical pressure sensors

  Highly reliable ceramic substrates with low deformation are used in high-precision medical sensors./p>

• Industrial

  Resistance to harsh environments such as heat, chemicals, and moisture

  

  Temperature, flow, and electronic ion sensors, etc.

  Environmental durability, insulation, and long-term reliability help industrial equipment operate stably in harsh environments.

CONSULTATION PROCESSProcess from Development to Delivery

We support your project from the early concept stage?not just after specifications have been finalized.

• STEP 1

  Development meeting

  

  We confirm the operating environment, required performance, quantity, and schedule.

• STEP 2

  Prototype delivery

  

  We produce and deliver prototypes according to your requirements.

• STEP 3

  Prototype evaluation

  

  Please evaluate the performance and provide your feedback.

• STEP 4

  Approval

  

  Your approval is required before starting mass production.

• STEP 5

  Production delivery

  

  We deliver based on the production specifications.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

• Can we consult with you even if the specifications have not yet been finalized?

  Yes. We support you from the early design stage, considering required performance and operating conditions, and supporting discussions on substrate structure, materials, conductors, resistors, and other elements.

• Can we consult with you for small-lot prototyping only?

  Yes. We propose a process tailored to your planned quantity and development status, from development prototyping through medium-volume production.

• Can you handle dimensions or materials outside the standard specifications?

  We are also available to discuss requirements outside standard specifications. After confirming the required specifications and operating environment, we will evaluate feasibility.

• What information is needed for consultation?

  Please provide any information available, such as the operating environment, required performance, expected quantity, size, operating temperature, and substrate materials under consideration.
  You can consult with us even if the specifications have not yet been finalized.