Rogers RO4350B Datasheet: Key Properties, Applications & PCB Manufacturing Guide

Rogers RO4350B is a hydrocarbon ceramic-filled laminate widely used for RF, microwave, antenna, radar, and other high-frequency PCB applications.

Compared with standard FR-4, Rogers 4350B offers:

• Lower dielectric loss
• More stable dielectric properties
• Better high-frequency signal performance
• Higher thermal stability
• Better dimensional stability

One major advantage of RO4350B is that it can be processed with many conventional PCB fabrication methods, making it easier to manufacture than some PTFE-based high-frequency materials.

This guide summarizes the main Rogers 4350B datasheet properties, typical applications, PCB manufacturing considerations, and differences compared with common FR-4 materials.

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Rogers 4350B Datasheet – Key Properties

The following values are commonly referenced when evaluating Rogers RO4350B for PCB applications.

Property	Rogers RO4350B
Material Type	Hydrocarbon ceramic-filled laminate
Dielectric Constant (Dk, 10 GHz)	3.48
Dissipation Factor (Df, 10 GHz)	0.0037
Tg	>280°C
Thermal Decomposition Temperature (Td)	>400°C
Z-Axis CTE	Approx. 30 ppm/°C
Moisture Absorption	≤0.1%
Thermal Conductivity	Approx. 0.6 W/m·K
Main Applications	RF, microwave, antenna, radar, 5G, automotive RF

For actual PCB design, designers should always confirm the required laminate thickness, copper thickness, dielectric constant used for impedance calculation, and material specification before releasing the final stack-up.

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Why Is Rogers 4350B Used for High-Frequency PCB?

The main reason is simple:

High-frequency signals are much more sensitive to PCB material properties than ordinary low-frequency circuits.

As frequency increases, important parameters include:

• Dielectric constant
• Dissipation factor
• Material thickness
• Copper surface condition
• Impedance stability

Standard FR-4 performs very well for many electronic products, but its dielectric loss is higher and its electrical properties are generally less stable for demanding RF and microwave applications.

RO4350B is designed specifically for these applications.

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1. Low Dielectric Loss

Rogers 4350B has a dissipation factor of approximately 0.0037 at 10 GHz.

Lower Df means less signal energy is converted into heat during transmission.

This is especially important for:

• RF transmission lines
• Microwave circuits
• Antennas
• Radar
• High-frequency communication systems

For long transmission paths or higher operating frequencies, lower-loss material can significantly improve signal performance.

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2. Stable Dielectric Constant

The dielectric constant of Rogers 4350B is approximately 3.48 at 10 GHz according to commonly referenced datasheet values.

Stable dielectric properties help engineers achieve more predictable:

• Trace impedance
• Phase response
• Signal propagation
• RF circuit performance

This is particularly important in designs involving:

• 50Ω transmission lines
• Differential impedance
• Microstrip structures
• Stripline structures
• RF filters
• Antenna feeding networks

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3. Better Thermal Stability Than Standard FR-4

High-frequency PCB materials may also experience significant thermal stress during manufacturing and operation.

Rogers 4350B provides high thermal stability, with:

• Tg above 280°C
• Td above 400°C
• Relatively low Z-axis CTE

These properties help reduce risks associated with:

• PCB expansion
• Via stress
• Delamination
• Repeated thermal cycling

This makes the material suitable for applications requiring both RF performance and long-term reliability.

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4. Low Moisture Absorption

Moisture can affect electrical properties, especially in high-frequency circuits.

Rogers 4350B has low moisture absorption, approximately 0.1% or less.

This helps maintain stable performance in applications such as:

• Outdoor communication equipment
• Automotive radar
• Aerospace electronics
• Industrial RF systems

Low moisture absorption is particularly useful when the PCB must operate reliably in changing environmental conditions.

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5. Good Thermal Conductivity

Rogers 4350B provides thermal conductivity of approximately 0.6 W/m·K, higher than typical standard FR-4.

This does not make it a replacement for:

• Aluminum PCB
• Copper base PCB
• Ceramic PCB

but it can provide better thermal performance than ordinary FR-4 while still maintaining excellent RF characteristics.

Typical applications include:

• RF power amplifiers
• Radar modules
• Communication base stations

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Rogers 4350B Applications

RO4350B is mainly selected when electrical performance at higher frequencies becomes more important than basic material cost.

RF and Microwave PCB

Common applications include:

• RF amplifiers
• Microwave circuits
• Filters
• Antennas
• RF front-end modules

Its low-loss characteristics help reduce transmission loss and maintain stable impedance.

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5G and Communication Equipment

Rogers 4350B is commonly considered for:

• Base station RF modules
• Antenna systems
• Microwave communication equipment
• High-frequency wireless systems

As operating frequency increases, material selection becomes increasingly important.

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Automotive Radar and ADAS

Automotive radar systems require reliable high-frequency performance.

RO4350B may be used in:

• Radar modules
• ADAS systems
• Vehicle communication systems
• Sensor electronics

Stable dielectric properties help support predictable RF behavior.

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Aerospace and Defense Electronics

Typical applications include:

• Radar
• Navigation electronics
• Communication modules
• Avionics RF circuits

These applications often require both electrical performance and environmental reliability.

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High-Speed Digital Applications

Although RO4350B is mainly known as an RF and microwave laminate, it may also be used where very low signal loss is required.

Examples include:

• High-speed communication equipment
• Networking systems
• High-speed interconnects

However, material selection should always be based on the actual signal requirements rather than choosing Rogers material simply because it is considered a “high-performance” laminate.

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Rogers 4350B vs Standard FR-4

Property	Rogers RO4350B	Standard FR-4
High-Frequency Performance	Excellent	General
Dielectric Loss	Low	Higher
Dk Stability	Better	More variable
Thermal Stability	High	Moderate
Material Cost	Higher	Lower
Manufacturing Difficulty	Moderate	Low
Typical Application	RF / Microwave	General Electronics

The main difference is not that Rogers 4350B is simply a “better FR-4.”

They are designed for different requirements.

For many ordinary products, FR-4 remains the better choice because it provides excellent:

• Cost efficiency
• Availability
• Manufacturing stability

RO4350B becomes valuable when RF performance justifies the additional material and manufacturing cost.

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Rogers 4350B vs Isola 370HR

Both materials are high-performance PCB laminates, but they target different applications.

Property	Rogers RO4350B	Isola 370HR
Main Strength	RF / Microwave	High-Reliability FR-4
Dk	Approx. 3.48	Approx. 4.04
Df	Approx. 0.0037	Approx. 0.020
Tg	>280°C	Approx. 180°C
Typical Application	RF, antenna, radar	Multilayer industrial PCB
Relative Cost	Higher	Lower

Isola 370HR is often suitable for:

• Industrial electronics
• Multilayer PCB
• Automotive applications
• High-Tg requirements

Rogers 4350B is more suitable when RF performance and low dielectric loss are the primary design requirements.

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Rogers 4350B PCB Manufacturing Considerations

Selecting the correct laminate is only the first step.

PCB manufacturing also has a significant impact on final RF performance.

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Material Thickness

RO4350B is available in different laminate thicknesses.

Material thickness directly influences:

• Impedance
• Trace width
• RF performance
• Final PCB thickness

The PCB stack-up should therefore be confirmed before production.

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Copper Thickness

Copper thickness affects:

• Trace geometry
• Etching compensation
• Impedance
• RF loss

Common PCB copper specifications may include:

• 0.5 oz
• 1 oz
• Other copper requirements

For high-frequency circuits, thicker copper is not automatically better because trace geometry and sidewall characteristics also affect impedance.

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Impedance Control

Rogers PCBs frequently require controlled impedance.

Important factors include:

• Dk
• Dielectric thickness
• Copper thickness
• Trace width
• Trace spacing
• Copper roughness

The PCB manufacturer should calculate and confirm the production stack-up before fabrication.

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Drilling and Hole Quality

RO4350B is more compatible with conventional mechanical PCB processing than many PTFE-based laminates.

However, drilling quality still matters.

Poor drilling can affect:

• Hole-wall quality
• Copper plating
• Via reliability

For RF designs, even small manufacturing variations may influence electrical performance.

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Multilayer Lamination

RO4350B can be used in multilayer PCB structures.

It can also be combined with FR-4 or other materials in a hybrid stack-up.

A hybrid design can help balance:

• RF performance
• PCB cost
• Mechanical requirements
• Manufacturing complexity

For example, only the RF layers may require Rogers material while other layers use FR-4.

This can significantly reduce material cost compared with using Rogers material throughout the entire PCB.

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Why Use a Rogers + FR-4 Hybrid PCB?

Using RO4350B for every layer may not always be necessary.

A hybrid PCB can use:

Rogers material

for RF signal layers

and:

FR-4

for control, power, or lower-frequency circuit layers.

This approach can provide:

• Good RF performance
• Lower total material cost
• More flexible multilayer structures

However, hybrid stack-ups require careful control of:

• Material compatibility
• Lamination conditions
• CTE differences
• PCB thickness

Engineering review before production is recommended.

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Common Rogers 4350B PCB Design Questions

Is Rogers 4350B Better Than FR-4?

Not for every application.

RO4350B is better when low loss and stable high-frequency performance are required.

For ordinary electronics, FR-4 is usually more economical.

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Can Rogers 4350B Be Used With FR-4?

Yes.

Hybrid Rogers/FR-4 multilayer PCB structures are common when only some layers require RF performance.

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Is Rogers 4350B a PTFE Material?

No.

RO4350B is a hydrocarbon ceramic-filled laminate.

This is one reason its PCB manufacturing process is generally more compatible with conventional fabrication methods than many PTFE-based materials.

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Is Rogers 4350B Suitable for 5G PCB?

Yes, it is commonly considered for high-frequency communication, antenna, and RF applications where low loss and stable dielectric properties are important.

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Does Rogers 4350B Require Controlled Impedance?

Not every design requires it, but many RO4350B applications involve RF transmission lines and therefore require impedance control.

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What Information Should Be Provided When Ordering Rogers 4350B PCB?

For faster engineering review and quotation, provide:

• Gerber files
• PCB stack-up
• Rogers material type
• Material thickness
• Copper thickness
• Finished board thickness
• Impedance requirements
• Surface finish
• Quantity
• Special RF requirements

If no final stack-up is available, the Rogers PCB Manufacturer can normally help review the design and recommend a manufacturable structure.

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PCB Manufacturer Perspective

Rogers 4350B can provide excellent electrical performance, but material selection alone does not guarantee a good RF PCB.

Final performance also depends on:

• Stack-up design
• Material thickness control
• Etching accuracy
• Copper thickness
• Impedance control
• Lamination
• Drilling
• Surface finish
• Manufacturing consistency

From a PCB manufacturing perspective, the best material is not always the most expensive one.

The correct material is the one that meets:

Electrical performance + Reliability + Manufacturability + Cost

For some projects, RO4350B is the correct choice.

For others, high-Tg FR-4 or a hybrid Rogers/FR-4 structure may provide better overall value.

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Conclusion

Rogers RO4350B is a widely used high-frequency PCB material offering:

• Low dielectric loss
• Stable dielectric properties
• High thermal stability
• Low moisture absorption
• Good compatibility with conventional PCB processing

It is particularly suitable for:

• RF PCB
• Microwave PCB
• 5G communication
• Radar
• Automotive RF
• Aerospace electronics

The key to a reliable Rogers PCB is not only choosing the correct laminate.

It also requires proper stack-up design, impedance control, material handling, lamination, drilling, and PCB manufacturing process control.

For high-frequency PCB projects, engineers should evaluate both electrical requirements and manufacturing capability before finalizing the material and stack-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dielectric constant of Rogers 4350B?

A commonly referenced datasheet value is approximately 3.48 at 10 GHz. Designers should confirm which Dk value is required for their specific impedance calculation method.

What is the dissipation factor of Rogers 4350B?

The commonly referenced Df value is approximately 0.0037 at 10 GHz.

What is Rogers 4350B mainly used for?

Typical applications include RF circuits, microwave systems, antennas, radar, 5G communication equipment, and automotive RF electronics.

Can Rogers 4350B be manufactured using standard PCB processes?

Many conventional PCB fabrication methods can be used, although process parameters still require control based on the specific stack-up and design.

Can Rogers 4350B and FR-4 be used in the same PCB?

Yes. Rogers/FR-4 hybrid multilayer PCBs are commonly used to balance high-frequency performance and manufacturing cost.

Is Rogers 4350B suitable for controlled impedance PCB?

Yes. It is frequently used for controlled impedance RF and microwave circuits because of its relatively stable dielectric properties.