PCB ManufacturerCEM-1 vs FR-4: which board material?
CEM-1 and FR-4 are both common PCB base materials. The right choice depends on whether you need plated holes, how strong the board must be, and how much you want to spend.
Side by side
| CEM-1 | FR-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Paper core with woven glass on the surfaces, epoxy resin | Woven glass cloth with epoxy resin all through |
| Plated through holes | Normally no — used for single-sided boards | Yes — single, double and multilayer |
| Shaping | Easy to punch, low cost in high volume | Drilled and routed (punching possible) |
| Strength | Lower | Higher, more stable |
| Typical use | LED lighting, power supplies, home appliances, simple controls | Most electronics: sensors, communication, control boards |
What about CEM-3?
CEM-3 uses a non-woven glass core. It can take plated holes and sits between CEM-1 and FR-4 in cost. It is often used for double-sided LED and consumer boards.
Our advice
Use CEM-1 for simple single-sided boards in large volume. Choose FR-4 when you need plated holes, higher strength or better heat resistance (High-Tg FR-4). RNS makes all three — see single-sided and double-sided PCBs.
Questions
Is CEM-1 cheaper than FR-4?
Usually yes, especially for single-sided boards made in large volume by punching.
Can CEM-1 be double-sided?
It is normally used for single-sided boards. For plated holes, choose CEM-3 or FR-4.
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