As RF, microwave, aerospace, satellite communication, automotive radar, and 5G technologies continue to evolve, engineers increasingly require PCB materials that offer exceptional signal integrity, low dielectric loss, stable electrical performance, and reliable thermal characteristics. While standard FR4 materials remain suitable for many digital applications, high-frequency designs often demand specialized laminates.
Among the leading high-frequency PCB material suppliers, Taconic has established a strong reputation for producing advanced RF and microwave laminates. Its product portfolio includes several material families designed to address different performance, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
This guide compares the most popular Taconic PCB material families—including TLY, RF Series, TLX, and CER-10—to help engineers and procurement teams select the optimal substrate for their next high-frequency PCB project.
1. What Is a Taconic PCB?
A Taconic PCB is a printed circuit board manufactured using Taconic high-frequency laminate materials instead of conventional FR4 substrates.
Taconic materials are widely used in:
- RF communication systems
- Microwave circuits
- Satellite communications
- Aerospace electronics
- Military systems
- Automotive radar
- Medical RF equipment
- 5G infrastructure
- High-speed networking equipment
Key advantages include:
- Low dielectric constant (Dk)
- Low dissipation factor (Df)
- Excellent signal transmission
- Stable performance across frequencies
- Low insertion loss
- Superior thermal reliability
2. Overview of Taconic Material Families
Taconic offers multiple laminate families optimized for different applications:
| Material Family | Base Material | Dk Range | Loss Factor | Main Applications |
| TLY Series | Pure PTFE | 2.17–2.20 | Ultra-low | Antennas, aerospace, radar |
| RF Series | Ceramic-filled PTFE | 2.55–10.20 | Very low | RF circuits, microwave systems |
| TLX Series | Woven glass/PTFE | 2.45–2.60 | Low | Commercial RF products |
| CER-10 | Ceramic-filled hydrocarbon | 10.0 | Low | Filters, couplers, power amplifiers |
Each material family addresses specific design priorities such as cost, manufacturability, dielectric stability, or ultra-low loss performance.
3. TLY Series PCB Materials
Overview
The TLY family consists of pure PTFE laminates reinforced with woven fiberglass.
Popular grades include:
- TLY-3
- TLY-5
- TLY-5A
These materials are recognized for their extremely low dielectric loss and stable electrical characteristics.
Key Properties
TLY-5 Typical Specifications
- Dielectric Constant (Dk): 2.20
- Dissipation Factor (Df): 0.0009
- Water Absorption: Very low
- Operating Frequency: Up to millimeter-wave bands
Advantages
Extremely Low Signal Loss
TLY materials provide some of the lowest insertion losses available among commercial PCB laminates.
Excellent Phase Stability
Ideal for:
- Phased-array antennas
- Satellite communication
- Radar systems
High Frequency Capability
Suitable for:
- 24 GHz radar
- 77 GHz automotive radar
- 5G mmWave systems
Limitations
- Higher material cost
- More complex processing than FR4
- Requires experienced PCB fabrication
Typical Applications
- Aerospace antennas
- Military radar
- Satellite payloads
- High-end RF front-end modules
- Microwave transmission networks
4. RF Series PCB Materials
Overview
The RF Series combines PTFE resin with ceramic fillers to achieve enhanced dimensional stability and a wider range of dielectric constants.
Popular products include:
- RF-35
- RF-35A2
- RF-60A
- RF-10
Key Characteristics
Wide Dk Selection
Available dielectric constants:
- 3.5
- 4.5
- 6.15
- 10.2
This flexibility allows engineers to optimize:
- Antenna dimensions
- Circuit size
- Filter design
Improved Mechanical Stability
Compared with pure PTFE materials, RF Series laminates exhibit:
- Better dimensional control
- Improved drilling performance
- Easier multilayer fabrication
Advantages
Lower Manufacturing Risk
The ceramic-filled structure improves:
- Registration accuracy
- Lamination reliability
- Hole quality
Compact RF Designs
Higher dielectric constants reduce circuit size.
Applications
- RF amplifiers
- Power dividers
- Couplers
- Base station antennas
- Microwave filters
- Wireless communication equipment
5. TLX Series PCB Materials
Overview
The TLX Series is designed to provide a balance between performance and manufacturing cost.
Common grades include:
- TLX-0
- TLX-8
These materials use PTFE combined with woven glass reinforcement.
Typical Properties
TLX-8 Specifications
- Dk: 2.55
- Df: 0.0019
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Good mechanical strength
Advantages
Cost-Effective RF Solution
Compared with ultra-premium PTFE materials:
- Lower fabrication cost
- Easier processing
- Better yield rates
Excellent Manufacturability
TLX materials are often preferred by PCB manufacturers because they:
- Drill more consistently
- Laminate more easily
- Reduce scrap rates
Applications
- Commercial wireless products
- GPS antennas
- RF modules
- IoT communication devices
- WLAN equipment
Best Use Cases
TLX is ideal when:
- Cost is important
- Performance requirements are moderate
- High-volume manufacturing is required
6. CER-10 PCB Material
Overview
CER-10 is a ceramic-filled hydrocarbon laminate specifically developed for microwave circuits requiring high dielectric constants.
Typical Properties
- Dielectric Constant: 10.0
- Dissipation Factor: 0.0035
- Excellent thermal stability
- Low moisture absorption
Major Advantages
Circuit Miniaturization
A higher Dk allows engineers to:
- Reduce trace lengths
- Shrink filter dimensions
- Save board space
Improved Component Density
Ideal for compact RF modules.
Manufacturing Benefits
Compared with PTFE materials:
- Easier drilling
- Easier routing
- More FR4-like processing behavior
Applications
- Microwave filters
- RF combiners
- Couplers
- Power amplifiers
- Compact RF front ends
7. Taconic Material Comparison
| Property | TLY Series | RF Series | TLX Series | CER-10 |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.17–2.20 | 3.5–10.2 | 2.45–2.60 | 10.0 |
| Dissipation Factor | Ultra-Low | Very Low | Low | Low |
| Mechanical Stability | Moderate | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Manufacturability | Challenging | Good | Very Good | Very Good |
| Cost | Highest | Medium-High | Medium | Medium |
| Microwave Performance | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Miniaturization Capability | Moderate | High | Moderate | Excellent |
8. Taconic PCB vs Rogers PCB
Many engineers compare Taconic with Rogers Corporation materials.
General observations:
Choose Taconic When:
- Ultra-low loss is critical
- Antenna efficiency is a priority
- Cost optimization is required
- PTFE-based performance is preferred
Choose Rogers When:
- Complex multilayer stackups are needed
- Broad material availability is required
- Automotive and telecom qualification standards dominate the project
In practice, both brands are widely accepted in aerospace, military, satellite, and commercial RF applications.
9. Taconic PCB Manufacturing Considerations
High-frequency Taconic materials require specialized fabrication processes:
Controlled Impedance Design
Critical for:
- RF transmission lines
- Differential pairs
- Microwave circuits
Precision Drilling
PTFE materials require optimized drilling parameters to avoid:
- Smearing
- Burr formation
- Hole wall defects
Specialized Lamination
Temperature and pressure profiles must be carefully controlled to maintain dielectric consistency.
Surface Finish Selection
Popular finishes include:
- ENIG
- Immersion Silver
- Immersion Tin
For high-frequency circuits, ENIG is often the preferred choice.
10. Typical Taconic PCB Pricing in 2026
Pricing depends on:
- Material grade
- Layer count
- Board thickness
- Copper weight
- Quantity
Typical prototype pricing ranges:
- 2-layer Taconic PCB: $80–$250
- 4-layer Taconic PCB: $180–$600
- 6-layer RF Taconic PCB: $400–$1,500+
- Microwave multilayer PCB: $1,000–$5,000+
Production pricing decreases significantly at higher volumes.
11. Why Choose KingsunPCB for Taconic PCB Manufacturing?
At KingsunPCB, we manufacture a wide range of Taconic-based RF and microwave PCBs for customers in telecommunications, aerospace, industrial electronics, and automotive applications.
Our capabilities include:
- Taconic TLY Series PCB fabrication
- Taconic RF Series PCB manufacturing
- TLX high-frequency PCB production
- CER-10 microwave PCB fabrication
- Controlled impedance design support
- HDI and multilayer RF PCB manufacturing
- RF PCB assembly services
- Prototype and mass production
We also provide DFM review, impedance calculation, material selection assistance, and complete manufacturing support to help customers shorten development cycles and improve product reliability.
12. FAQ
Q1: Which Taconic material has the lowest loss?
The TLY Series, particularly TLY-5A, offers some of the lowest dissipation factors available among commercial PCB laminates, making it ideal for microwave and millimeter-wave applications.
Q2: Is Taconic better than FR4?
For high-frequency applications, Taconic materials provide significantly lower signal loss, better impedance stability, and improved RF performance than FR4.
Q3: Which Taconic material is best for 5G antennas?
TLY Series and RF Series materials are commonly selected for 5G antenna and RF front-end designs due to their low loss and stable dielectric properties.
Q4: Is CER-10 suitable for compact RF circuits?
Yes. Its dielectric constant of approximately 10 allows substantial circuit size reduction, making it ideal for filters, couplers, and compact RF modules.
Q5: Can Taconic PCBs be manufactured in multilayer configurations?
Yes. Modern PCB manufacturers such as KingsunPCB can fabricate multilayer Taconic PCBs with controlled impedance structures for advanced RF and microwave applications.
13. Conclusion
Taconic offers a diverse portfolio of high-frequency PCB materials that address a wide range of RF and microwave design challenges. The TLY Series delivers ultra-low loss performance for aerospace and radar systems, the RF Series balances electrical performance with manufacturability, the TLX Series provides a cost-effective solution for commercial RF products, and CER-10 excels in compact, high-density microwave designs.
Selecting the right Taconic material depends on frequency requirements, insertion loss targets, board size constraints, manufacturing considerations, and project budget. By understanding the strengths of each material family, engineers can achieve optimal RF performance while controlling production costs and accelerating product development.