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90 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2026 BY M AT T ST E V E N S O N , AS C S U N STO N E C I RC U I TS W hat questions does your manufacturer ask when they receive a design? I can tell you one: "How will we build this?" Every PCB design has specific parameters for elements such as impedance, thermal conduc- tivity, and SI. Designers choose material proper- ties based on the functionality requirements of the boards they design. Does the PCB have to operate in high heat? Be flexible enough to fit into a tiny device, such as a wearable? Maintain SI without distortion or data degradation? These are important, foundational consider- ations for designers. I believe it is also important for designers to consider how a manufacturer thinks about materials. PCBs are manufactured using layers of conductive materials, surface coatings to protect conductive layers from oxidation, and substrates. The materials dictate the board's flex- ibility, heat dissipation, and electrical performance. So, it's important for designers to match design requirements to the manufacturer's list of materials available for production. Those materials repre- sent a means to an end—the smooth, cost-effective production of a reliable PCB that meets the design- er's requirements. In general, a longer list is better. More complex designs, boards, and electronic devices mean material requirements must expand and diversify. Designers working in product devel- C O N N ECT T H E D OTS What PCB Designers Should Know About Materials