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ITEQ IT-150: Standard PCB Laminate Specifications & Applications

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ITEQ IT-150 is a medium-Tg PCB laminate series covering IT-150GS, IT-150GTC, IT-150GSTC, and IT-150DATC. Compare full specs, server, HDI, automotive radar, and telecom applications, plus fabrication tips and datasheet resources for engineers.

If your design is bumping up against the thermal or electrical limits of standard FR-4 but doesn’t need the full premium of a high-Tg specialty laminate, the ITEQ IT-150 series is exactly where you land in the material selection process. It’s a family of medium-Tg, multifunctional epoxy laminates built around the 150¡ã°ä glass transition threshold ¡ª enough thermal headroom for lead-free assembly, dense multilayer builds, and demanding server-class applications, without the cost premium of 170¡ãC or 180¡ã°ä materials.

This article walks through the full ITEQ IT-150 product family ¡ª IT-150GS, IT-150GTC, IT-150GSTC, and IT-150DATC ¡ª covering verified specifications, application targeting, fabrication considerations, and how to make the right call when choosing between variants.

What Is the ITEQ IT-150 Series?

ITEQ IT-150 is a family of medium-to-high Tg laminate and prepreg products manufactured by ITEQ PCB, a Taiwan-based CCL producer founded in 1997. The IT-150 designation covers several product variants that share a common design philosophy: multifunctional epoxy resin chemistry that delivers thermal reliability beyond standard FR-4 (Tg ~130¨C140¡ãC), full compatibility with lead-free SAC305 assembly processes, and strong CAF (Conductive Anodic Filament) resistance for high-layer-count multilayer PCBs.

ITEQ IT-150GS is a medium Tg (Tg > 150¡ã°ä by DSC), halogen-free multifunctional epoxy and middle loss material with high thermal reliability and CAF resistance, designed specifically for server applications as a cost-effective solution. That positioning ¡ª medium Tg, halogen-free, server-grade reliability ¡ª defines the core of the IT-150 family. The variants within the series extend upward into higher Tg and lower electrical loss territory depending on the specific design requirement.

ITEQ IT-150 Series: Full Product Variant Overview

The IT-150 designation covers at least four distinct product SKUs in active production. Understanding each variant is essential before writing a material specification into your fab notes.

ProductTg (DSC)Td (5% wt loss)CTE Z-axis 50¨C260¡ãCDk @ 10GHzDf @ 10GHzPrimary Application
IT-150GS&²µ³Ù;150¡ã°ä´Ê365¡ã°ä~3.3%~3.9~0.012Server/storage, telecom, base station
IT-150GTC150¡ã°ä (TMA)365¡ã°ä3.1%3.5 @ 1GHz~0.014 @ 1GHzHDI, smartphones, tablets, consumer
IT-150GSTC155¡ã°ä365¡ã°ä3.1%3.90.012Server/backplane, telecom, base station
IT-150DATC180¡ã°ä370¡ã°ä2.6%3.640.0065Automotive radar, server/3S, RF

A few engineering notes on reading this table:

Tg measurement method matters. IT-150GTC reports Tg by TMA at 150¡ã°ä, while IT-150DATC uses DSC at 180¡ã°ä. DSC and TMA give different values for the same material ¡ª DSC typically reads 5¨C15¡ãC higher than TMA. When comparing materials across manufacturers, always check which method was used.

IT-150DATC is the technical outlier. Despite the IT-150 family name, IT-150DATC is a high Tg (180¡ã°ä by DSC), advanced multifunctional epoxy and low loss material designed for radar and 3S (Server/Storage/Switch) applications. It sits at the top of the IT-150 family in both thermal and electrical performance, with a Df of 0.0065 at 10GHz that approaches low-loss territory.

ITEQ IT-150GS: The Server-Grade Halogen-Free Workhorse

Key Specifications: IT-150GS

PropertyValueMethod
Tg&²µ³Ù;150¡ã°äDSC
Td (5% wt loss)´Ê365¡ã°äTGA
CTE Z-axis (50¨C260¡ãC)~3.3%TMA
FlammabilityUL 94 V-0UL
Halogen-FreeYesJPCA-ES-01-2003
Lead-Free AssemblyYes (260¡ãC compatible)¡ª
CAF ResistanceHigh¡ª

IT-150GS Applications

IT-150GS targets Server/Storage/Switch, Routers, Telecom, and Base station applications. Its key value proposition is a halogen-free material at medium Tg that remains compatible with standard FR-4 fabrication processes. ITEQ laminates like IT-150GS are specifically designed to withstand the high temperatures and thermal stresses of lead-free soldering, demonstrating superior adhesion and thermal cycling resistance.

For a PCB engineer running a 12¨C18 layer backplane or server motherboard where halogen-free status is a customer or compliance requirement, IT-150GS hits the spec without forcing a process change at the fabricator. That FR-4 process compatibility is genuinely valuable ¡ª it means your board house doesn’t need to change drill parameters, etchant chemistry, or lamination press profiles for IT-150GS material.

ITEQ IT-150GTC: The HDI and Consumer Electronics Variant

Key Specifications: IT-150GTC

PropertyValueMethod
Tg150¡ã°äTMA
Td (5% wt loss)365¡ã°äTGA
CTE Z-axis (50¨C260¡ãC)3.1%TMA
T-288 (1 oz Cu, min)>60 minTMA
Dk @ 1GHz3.5IPC TM-650 2.5.5.13
Df @ 1GHz~0.0137IPC TM-650 2.5.5.13
FlammabilityUL 94 V-0UL

IT-150GTC Applications

IT-150GTC targets smartphones, tablets, handheld drives, ultra-books, and consumer devices. The lower Dk of 3.5 at 1GHz compared to IT-150GS’s 3.9 makes it the better choice for controlled-impedance designs in the consumer HDI space ¡ª particularly for 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB 3.x interfaces where a tighter, more stable dielectric constant reduces impedance variation across the stack-up.

ITEQ IT-150GSTC: The Upgraded Server-Grade Variant

IT-150GSTC is the upgrade to IT-150GS, adding slightly higher Tg (155¡ã°ä by DSC vs. &²µ³Ù;150¡ã°ä) while maintaining the same halogen-free, middle-loss, high-CAF-resistance profile.

PropertyValueMethod
Tg155¡ã°äDSC
Td (5% wt loss)365¡ã°äTGA
CTE Z-axis (50¨C260¡ãC)3.1%TMA
T-288 (1 oz Cu, min)>60 minTMA
Dk @ 10GHz3.9IPC TM-650 2.5.5.13
Df @ 10GHz0.012IPC TM-650 2.5.5.13
Halogen-FreeYesJPCA-ES-01-2003

IT-150GSTC targets Server/Storage/Switch Backplane, Telecom Base station, and Radio Frequency applications. The 5¡ãC Tg improvement over IT-150GS may seem marginal, but in a context where the laminate is seeing repeated thermal cycling during assembly and field operation, the additional stability at the top end of the operating range pays dividends on long-field-life products.

ITEQ IT-150DATC: The High-Performance Outlier in the Family

IT-150DATC is where the IT-150 family name somewhat misleads. The “150” in the product name doesn’t reflect its DSC Tg (which is 180¡ã°ä) ¡ª it reflects its position within ITEQ’s product line naming convention. It is a high Tg (180¡ã°ä by DSC), advanced multifunctional epoxy and low loss material with low Dk and low Df performance designed for radar application and 3S use.

PropertyValueMethod
Tg180¡ã°äDSC
Td (5% wt loss)370¡ã°äTGA
CTE Z-axis (50¨C260¡ãC)2.6%TMA
T-288 (1 oz Cu, min)>30 minTMA
Dk @ 10GHz3.64IPC TM-650 2.5.5.13
Df @ 10GHz0.0065IPC TM-650 2.5.5.13
Halogen-FreeYes¡ª

The 0.0065 Df at 10GHz is the standout number ¡ª approaching the loss performance of dedicated low-loss materials at a fraction of the cost. It features stable Dk/Df across different environments, making it suitable for automotive radar and demanding signal integrity applications.

ITEQ IT-150 Series vs. Competing Medium-Tg Laminates

MaterialManufacturerTg (DSC)Df @ 10GHzHalogen-FreePrimary Strength
IT-150GSITEQ&²µ³Ù;150¡ã°ä~0.012YesFR-4 compatible, server-grade
IT-150GSTCITEQ155¡ã°ä0.012YesHigher Tg, backplane reliability
IT-150DATCITEQ180¡ã°ä0.0065YesLow-loss, radar, 3S
Megtron 4 (R-5725)Panasonic180¡ã°ä0.012YesNetworking, backplane
IS400Isola150¡ã°ä~0.020NoCost-sensitive FR-4 step-up
IT-158ITEQ155¡ã°ä~0.018NoHeavy copper, automotive
TU-768TUC175¡ã°ä~0.010YesServer, storage

The IT-150 family’s competitive advantage is concentrated in two areas: FR-4 process compatibility and the halogen-free variants that serve compliance-conscious markets without exotic process requirements. ITEQ offers halogen-free versions including IT-150GS that meet JPCA-ES-01-2003 standards, with performance comparable to standard versions with only slight processing differences.

Fabrication Considerations for ITEQ IT-150 Materials

Drilling and Desmear

IT-150 series materials behave similarly to high-performance FR-4 during drilling. Standard carbide drill tooling applies. Desmear requirements are consistent with modified FR-4 process parameters ¡ª no exotic chemistry adjustments are typically required for IT-150GS, IT-150GTC, or IT-150GSTC.

Lamination and Resin Flow

The multifunctional epoxy resin in IT-150 variants has a well-characterized flow profile during lamination. Predictable resin flow means complete encapsulation of inner-layer copper patterns without voids ¡ª a direct benefit for via reliability in high-layer-count builds. IT-150G prepreg maintains dimensional stability throughout the lamination cycle, exhibiting minimal shrinkage or warpage.

Lead-Free Assembly Compatibility

All IT-150 variants support 260¡ãC lead-free assembly. The T-288 thermal resistance values (>60 minutes for IT-150GS, IT-150GTC, IT-150GSTC; >30 minutes for IT-150DATC) confirm that each material survives multiple SAC305 reflow passes without dielectric-copper interface delamination.

CAF Resistance

High CAF resistance is explicitly listed as a key feature for IT-150GS and IT-150GSTC, making them appropriate for high-density multilayer designs where via-to-via spacing is tight and long field life under sustained bias is required.

ITEQ IT-150 Series: Application Summary by Market Segment

Market SegmentRecommended VariantKey Reason
Server / Storage / SwitchIT-150GS or IT-150GSTCHalogen-free, high CAF resistance, FR-4 process compatible
Telecom base stationIT-150GS or IT-150GSTCMid-loss Df, thermal reliability, halogen-free
Smartphone / Tablet (HDI)IT-150GTCLower Dk at 1GHz, FR-4 HDI process compatible
Consumer handheld devicesIT-150GTCHalogen-free, cost-effective medium Tg
Automotive radarIT-150DATCLow Df at 10GHz, stable Dk/Df vs. temperature
3S RF layer / hybrid stack-upIT-150DATCLow-loss, high Tg for sequential lamination builds

Useful Technical Resources for ITEQ IT-150

ResourceDescriptionLink
ITEQ Corporation ¡ª Standard Laminate PageOfficial IT-150 series product overview and technical data
IT-150GS Datasheet (MCL PCB)Direct datasheet download for IT-150GS
PCB Directory ¡ª IT-150GTC ListingAggregated spec page with datasheet download and quote request
PCB Directory ¡ª IT-150DATC ListingFull spec listing and datasheet access for IT-150DATC
PCBSky ¡ª IT-150 Specs SummaryTabulated IT-150GTC, IT-150GSTC, IT-150DATC spec comparison
IPC-4101 StandardBase material specification for rigid and multilayer PCBs
IPC TM-650 2.5.5.13Dk and Df measurement test method referenced in ITEQ datasheets
JPCA-ES-01-2003Halogen-free CCL definition standard referenced in IT-150GS specReferenced via ITEQ and JPCA documentation

5 Frequently Asked Questions About ITEQ IT-150

Q1: What is the difference between IT-150GS and IT-150GSTC, and when is the upgrade worth specifying?

IT-150GS has a Tg &²µ³Ù;150¡ã°ä by DSC, while IT-150GSTC reaches 155¡ã°ä by DSC. Both are halogen-free, middle-loss, CAF-resistant materials for server and telecom applications. The 5¡ãC Tg difference provides additional thermal stability margin during assembly and in-service thermal cycling. For standard server motherboard production, IT-150GS is sufficient. For multilayer designs with 18+ layers, tight reliability requirements, or aggressive thermal profiles during assembly, IT-150GSTC’s additional Tg headroom is worth the upgrade. Confirm stock availability at your fabricator ¡ª not all board houses stock both variants.

Q2: Can ITEQ IT-150GTC be processed on standard FR-4 fabrication lines without special setup?

Yes. FR-4 process compatibility is one of the key differentiators of IT-150GTC, explicitly cited in ITEQ’s product documentation. Drill parameters, etchant chemistry, oxide treatment, and lamination press profiles used for standard FR-4 multilayer builds are applicable to IT-150GTC without significant modification. This is a major cost advantage for board houses that run both standard FR-4 and IT-150 work on shared equipment.

Q3: Is the 0.0065 Df of IT-150DATC good enough for automotive radar applications at 77GHz?

At 0.0065 Df at 10GHz, IT-150DATC is a genuine low-mid-loss material ¡ª significantly better than the ~0.012 Df of standard IT-150GS/GSTC. ITEQ specifically positions IT-150DATC for automotive radar application with stable Dk/Df across environmental conditions. For 77GHz radar front-end antenna layers, dedicated RF materials like Rogers RO3003 or Taconic RF-35 are typically used. However, IT-150DATC works well in hybrid stack-ups handling the digital processing layers of a radar module, and in some designs it’s been qualified as the main substrate for less demanding radar configurations. Evaluate against your specific signal path loss budget.

Q4: Does the ITEQ IT-150 series comply with RoHS and halogen-free requirements?

The halogen-free variants ¡ª IT-150GS, IT-150GTC, IT-150GSTC, and IT-150DATC ¡ª comply with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and meet the JPCA-ES-01-2003 halogen-free standard (Cl + Br < 1500 ppm total). All IT-150 variants pass UL 94 V-0 flammability requirements. Request a compliance letter or material declaration from your fabricator or ITEQ’s distribution network when preparing a customer certification package.

Q5: When should I upgrade from standard FR-4 to ITEQ IT-150, and is the cost delta justified?

Standard FR-4 has a Tg of 130¨C140¡ãC by DSC and was not designed for lead-free assembly environments. The practical trigger points for moving to IT-150 are: lead-free assembly on boards with more than 6 layers (thermal stress during multiple reflow cycles is the primary concern), designs requiring halogen-free compliance, layer counts above 12 where CAF resistance becomes critical, and server or telecom applications where T-288 thermal resistance data is required for qualification. IT-150 offers a more stable dielectric constant for tighter impedance control and a lower dissipation factor for better signal integrity than FR-4, making it the logical, cost-effective choice for designs that are beginning to push FR-4’s performance limits. The cost premium over standard FR-4 is typically moderate ¡ª far less than a step to 170¡ãC or 180¡ã°ä specialty materials.

Conclusion

The ITEQ IT-150 series covers a wide design space ¡ª from cost-optimized server laminates to low-loss automotive radar substrates ¡ª all anchored around the medium-Tg performance tier that sits between commodity FR-4 and the high-cost specialty laminate world. IT-150GS and IT-150GSTC serve the server and telecom market with halogen-free compliance and high CAF resistance. IT-150GTC is the HDI consumer electronics variant with better electrical performance at 1GHz. IT-150DATC is the technical standout, delivering 180¡ã°ä Tg and 0.0065 Df at 10GHz for radar and advanced 3S applications.

ITEQ has built a solid reputation by offering high-performance PCB materials at competitive prices. For IT-150 specialty grades, plan for 4¨C8 week lead times on new material qualifications and confirm stocked variants with your fabricator before committing the specification to production drawings.

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Full version (230 characters):

ITEQ IT-150 is a medium-Tg PCB laminate series covering IT-150GS, IT-150GTC, IT-150GSTC, and IT-150DATC. Compare full specs, server, HDI, automotive radar, and telecom applications, plus fabrication tips and datasheet resources for engineers.

Condensed version (157 characters ¡ª Yoast green zone):

ITEQ IT-150 laminate series: full specs for IT-150GS, IT-150GTC, IT-150GSTC, and IT-150DATC. Applications, Tg/Dk/Df data, and fabrication guidance.