# Ceramic PCB FAQ _Published: 2026-05-18_ [https://www.bestpcbs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/86b51bf0-3a7d-4fe5-beb4-18b6909c5549.png](https://www.bestpcbs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/86b51bf0-3a7d-4fe5-beb4-18b6909c5549.png) ## Thick Film Ceramic PCB Technical FAQ’s 1. What is the standard thickness of a thick-film ceramic board? + 0.635mm 2. What is the maximum size of thick film ceramic PCB? + 114mm x 114mm 3. What is the commonly referred name for the solder mask used on thick film ceramic PCB? What colors are available? + It is called glass glaze, and the available colors are greenish-blue/blue. 4. What is the surface treatment for thick film ceramic PCB? + No additional surface treatment is required. 5. How many types of substrates are typically used for thick film ceramic PCB? What are they? + There are 3 types: Alumina, Aluminum Nitride, and Beryllium Oxide. 6. What are the color differences between the three substrates used in thick film ceramic PCB? + Alumina and Beryllium Oxide are white, while Aluminum Nitride is gray. 7. How many types of Alumina substrates are there? + 96% Al₂O₃ and 99% Al₂O₃. 8. How are Alumina, Aluminum Nitride, and Beryllium Oxide written in English? + Alumina: Aluminium Oxide/Alumina; Aluminum Nitride: Aluminium Nitride; Beryllium Oxide: Beryllium Oxide. 9. What are the dielectric constants of Alumina, Aluminum Nitride, and Beryllium Oxide? + 96% Al₂O₃: 8.9; 99% Al₂O₃: 9.5; AlN: 8.9; BeO: 6.4. 10. What conductor pastes are commonly used for thick film ceramic PCB? + AgPd and Au. 11. What are the typical thicknesses of the conductor pastes for thick film ceramic PCB? + AgPd: ≥10µm, Au: 3-7µm. 12. Can copper be used as a conductor on thick film ceramic PCB? + No. 13. Are the circuits on thick film ceramic PCB created using printing or etching processes? + They are created using a printing process. 14. How are the conductor paste and ceramic material bonded together? + Through high-temperature sintering. 15. What is the peak sintering temperature for the conductor on thick film ceramic PCB? + 850°C ± 10°C. 16. What is the dwell time at peak temperature? + 8 minutes to 10 minutes. 17. What is the sintering cycle time? + 30 minutes to 60 minutes. 18. What is the operating temperature of thick film ceramic PCB? + -55°C to 850°C. 19. Do thick film ceramic PCB require an insulating material between the conductor and substrate? + No, ceramic materials are inherently insulating. 20. Can thick film ceramic PCB be screen-printed? + Yes, but it is generally not done as it is quite complex to manufacture. 21. What is the minimum line width and spacing for thick film ceramic PCB? + For samples: 0.2/0.2mm, for mass production: ≥0.25/0.25mm. 22. Can resistors be sintered on thick film ceramic PCB? What method is commonly used? + Yes, laser trimming is commonly used. 23. Can thick film ceramic PCB be bonded? + Yes. 24. Can thick film ceramic PCB be made with double-sided multilayers? + Currently, no. Only single-sided multilayers are possible. 25. Can thick film ceramic PCB have through-holes? + Yes, but only using special silver paste. 26. Can thick film ceramic PCB with gold paste conductors have through-holes? + No, through-holes must be made with special silver paste, as silver paste and gold paste are incompatible. 27. Can thick film ceramic PCB be panelized? + Yes. 28. How are panelized thick film ceramic PCB separated? + They can be separated using tools like pliers or by hand-breaking. 29. How are holes drilled in ceramic boards? + They are drilled using a laser. 30. Do ceramic boards absorb water? + No, they are non-absorbent. 31. How are ceramic boards typically packaged? + Vacuum packaging or in blister trays. 32. If the AgPd conductor on thick film ceramic PCB oxidizes, how can it be handled? + The surface can be rubbed with an eraser.