FR1
Paper phenolic. For remotes, toys and low-cost consumer boards kept away from heat. Easy to punch.
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CEM1 vs FR4, and the rest.
Five base materials cover almost every single-sided board. Here is how they compare, and which one fits your product and price.
Minimum order 40 m² per design (≈ 16,000 pcs of 50 × 50 mm). Below 40 m², regular customers only, with a ₹2,500 development charge.
- FR1
- Paper phenolic
- CEM1
- Paper core, glass-epoxy surface
- CEM3
- Non-woven glass core
- FR4
- Woven glass epoxy
- MCPCB
- Aluminium base
Five materials, five jobs.
Ordered from lowest cost to highest performance. Aluminium MCPCB is in a class of its own for LEDs.
CEM1
Paper core with a glass-epoxy surface. The standard for chargers, LED drivers, SMPS and appliance boards. Stronger than FR1, still punchable.
CEM3
Non-woven glass core. For LED lighting and power supplies that run warm, at lower cost than FR4.
FR4
Woven glass epoxy. For telecom, industrial, automotive and battery chargers where strength and moisture resistance matter.
Aluminium MCPCB
Aluminium base that pulls heat away from LEDs. For bulbs, panels, DOBs and street lights. MCPCB
CEM1 or FR4? The short answer.
Choose CEM1 when…
The board is a charger, adapter, LED driver or appliance control, it is punched in volume, and cost per board matters.
Choose FR4 when…
The product sees vibration, moisture or high current, such as battery chargers, automotive and industrial controls.
Consider CEM3 when…
CEM1 runs too hot in a closed housing but FR4 is more than you need.
Choose MCPCB when…
The board carries LEDs that need to stay cool. MCPCB
Side by side.
All five are available single-sided, 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm, with 35 µm or 70 µm copper. We confirm the material after reviewing your design.
| Material | Core | Typical products | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR1 | Paper phenolic | Remotes, toys, simple adapters | Lowest |
| CEM1 | Paper core, glass-epoxy surface | Chargers, LED drivers, SMPS, appliances | Low |
| CEM3 | Non-woven glass | LED lighting, warmer power supplies | Medium |
| FR4 | Woven glass epoxy | Battery chargers, automotive, industrial, telecom | Higher |
| MCPCB | Aluminium base | LED bulbs, panels, DOB, street lights | Higher |
Questions? Answers.
Is CEM1 as good as FR4?
For most chargers, LED drivers and appliance boards, CEM1 does the job at lower cost. FR4 is stronger and handles heat, moisture and vibration better, so choose it for battery chargers, automotive and industrial products.
Can CEM1 and FR1 be punched?
Yes. FR1 and CEM1 punch cleanly on blanking dies, which is why they suit high-volume boards.
Which material is best for LED boards?
Aluminium MCPCB for high-power LEDs and closed housings. CEM3 can work for low-power battens and decorative lights.
Can you advise on the material for my design?
Yes. Send your Gerber and tell us the product and operating conditions. We confirm the material before quoting.
What is the minimum order?
40 m² of board per design (part number), not 40 pieces. That is about 430 sq ft, or about 16,000 pcs of a 50 × 50 mm board. We supply production volumes to manufacturers. For regular customers only, designs below 40 m² can be run with a ₹2,500 development charge.
Not sure which material?
Send your design and product details. We will recommend the material and quote it.