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RF / Microwave Specialist

Rogers Materials Guide

Industry-leading RF and microwave laminates for high-frequency PCB design. From cost-effective RO4350B to ultra-low-loss RT/duroid 5880, find the right Rogers material for your application.

Why Choose Rogers?

Tight Dk Tolerance

±0.05 vs ±0.15 for FR-4

Ultra-Low Loss

Df from 0.0009 to 0.004

Stable vs Frequency

Consistent Dk from MHz to mmWave

Low Moisture Absorption

Prevents environmental detuning

Rogers Product Lineup

RO4350B

Thermoset

Most popular Rogers material. FR-4 processable, excellent balance of performance and manufacturability.

Dk
3.48 ±0.05
Df
0.0037
Max Freq
10 GHz
Cost
Medium
Applications
Cellular base stationsPower amplifiersAutomotive radarGPS antennas

RO4003C

Thermoset

Lower loss than RO4350B. Better for higher frequency applications.

Dk
3.55 ±0.05
Df
0.0027
Max Freq
18 GHz
Cost
Medium
Applications
LNAsReceiversHigh-frequency filtersSatellite communications

RO3003

Ceramic-filled PTFE

Ultra-low loss for demanding mmWave applications. PTFE-based.

Dk
3.00 ±0.04
Df
0.0013
Max Freq
40 GHz
Cost
High
Applications
mmWave 5GAutomotive radar 77GHzTest equipmentPoint-to-point links

RT/duroid 5880

Glass-reinforced PTFE

Industry standard for lowest loss. The reference for high-performance RF.

Dk
2.20 ±0.02
Df
0.0009
Max Freq
77 GHz
Cost
Very High
Applications
Millimeter wavePhased arraysRadarSpace applications

RT/duroid 6002

Ceramic-filled PTFE

Low Dk with excellent dimensional stability. Good mechanical properties.

Dk
2.94 ±0.04
Df
0.0012
Max Freq
40 GHz
Cost
High
Applications
Airborne radarMicrostrip antennasFeed networks

RO3006

Ceramic-filled PTFE

High Dk for miniaturization. Allows smaller antennas and filters.

Dk
6.15 ±0.15
Df
0.0020
Max Freq
40 GHz
Cost
High
Applications
Compact antennasMiniature filtersGPS patchesRFID

Material Selection by Application

By Frequency Range

1 - 6 GHzRO4350B

Cellular, WiFi, GPS. Best cost/performance ratio.

6 - 18 GHzRO4003C

Ku-band, point-to-point, lower loss needed.

18 - 40 GHzRO3003 / RO6002

Ka-band, 5G mmWave, automotive radar.

40 - 77+ GHzRT/duroid 5880

77 GHz radar, 60 GHz WiGig, V-band.

By Application Type

Automotive RadarRO3003 / RO4835

24/77 GHz, high temp stability, ADAS.

5G InfrastructureRO4350B / RO4003C

Base stations, small cells, phased arrays.

Aerospace / DefenseRT/duroid series

Mil-spec, space-qualified, extreme reliability.

Cost-Sensitive RFRO4350B + FR-4 hybrid

Consumer electronics, IoT with RF sections.

Processing Considerations

RO4000 Series (FR-4 Compatible)

  • Standard carbide drills work fine
  • Normal electroless and electrolytic copper plating
  • Standard solder mask and silkscreen
  • Compatible with lead-free assembly
  • Can be laminated to FR-4 in hybrid stackups

PTFE Materials (Special Processing)

  • Requires sodium etch or plasma treatment for adhesion
  • Special drill parameters (slower speed, faster feed)
  • Modified plating chemistry for PTFE
  • Higher material cost and longer lead times
  • Requires experienced RF PCB fabricator

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose Rogers over FR-4 for RF designs?

Rogers materials offer: (1) Tight Dk tolerance (±0.05 vs ±0.15 for FR-4) for predictable impedance, (2) Much lower Df (0.002-0.004 vs 0.02) reducing insertion loss, (3) Stable Dk vs frequency for broadband designs, (4) Lower moisture absorption preventing detuning in humid environments.

What is the difference between thermoset and PTFE Rogers laminates?

Thermoset Rogers (RO4000 series) can be processed like FR-4 - drilled, plated, and laminated using standard equipment. PTFE-based materials (RT/duroid, RO3000) require specialized processing: plasma treatment for adhesion, specific drill parameters, and modified plating chemistry. Thermosets are easier to manufacture but have higher loss than PTFE.

How do I process Rogers RO4350B?

RO4350B is specifically designed to use standard FR-4 fabrication processes. Use standard drill bits (carbide), normal plating chemistry, and conventional lamination parameters. No special surface treatment is needed. This makes it the most fab-friendly Rogers material.

When should I use RT/duroid 5880?

RT/duroid 5880 with its Dk of 2.2 and Df of 0.0009 is reserved for the most demanding applications: mmWave frequencies (60-77 GHz+), very long RF trace lengths, ultra-low noise receivers, or space/military where loss is critical. It's expensive and requires specialized processing.

Can I mix Rogers and FR-4 in one PCB?

Yes, hybrid stackups are common and cost-effective. Use Rogers for RF signal layers (outer or specific inner layers) and FR-4 for power/ground planes and low-speed digital. Ensure compatible Tg values and work with a fab experienced in hybrid builds to manage CTE mismatches.