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Tensile Testing of Copper Clad Laminates (CCL)

IPC TM-650 | ASTM D5109-12

The Challenge

Copper clad laminates are the foundational substrate material used in printed circuit board manufacturing, providing both the electrical conductivity and the physical performance characteristics — including dimensional stability, peel strength, bending strength, and heat resistance — that PCB reliability depends on.

CCLs are comprised of multiple layers of copper foil and reinforcing materials, with the reinforcement and resin system determining much of the laminate's mechanical behavior. Common reinforcing materials include fiberglass cloth, paper, and other substrates, used in combination with resin systems such as phenolic, epoxy, and polyimide. As new material combinations are developed, mechanical testing is essential to characterize the tensile strength and deformation behavior of each formulation before it is approved for use in PCB production.

A particular area of interest for manufacturers is the mechanical performance of CCLs at elevated temperatures. Reinforced laminates are designed to resist thermal stress during PCB assembly — and manufacturers need confidence that tensile performance at high temperatures is comparable to ambient performance. This requires testing across a range of temperatures with accurate strain measurement under each condition.

Our Solution

Testing Systems - Instron's 6800 Series single column and dual column table model systems are well suited for CCL tensile testing and can be equipped with grips matched to the dimensions of the laminate specimens being tested. The 3400 Series is also available depending on force range and laboratory requirements.

Strain Measurement - Both contact and non-contact strain measurement options are available for CCL tensile testing:

Contact extensometers — the 2630 Series and W-6820 Series axial clip-on extensometers provide straightforward, reliable strain measurement for ambient temperature testing. High-temperature compatible contact extensometers are also available for elevated temperature applications.
Non-contact video extensometry — the AVE3 Advanced Video Extensometer provides higher accuracy non-contact strain measurement, removing the risk of specimen influence from knife-edge contact and improving repeatability — particularly useful for thin or delicate laminate specimens.
Environmental Chambers for Temperature Testing - The 3119-600 Series environmental chambers(opens in new tab) support tensile testing across a temperature range of -150°C to +350°C — covering both the low-temperature and high-temperature conditions relevant to CCL characterization and PCB assembly simulation. Compatible grips and contact-style extensometers are available for use within the chamber at elevated temperatures.

Software - Bluehill® Universal software provides the tools needed to set up test methods, run tests across different environmental conditions, and calculate results including tensile strength and strain. The QuickTest feature allows operators to run a rapid tensile test to get preliminary results from a new CCL material quickly, before committing to a full test program.

Instron testing system with grips performing tensile testing of a copper clad laminate strip specimen under red illumination

Instron testing system with screw side action grips holding a copper clad laminate strip specimen for tensile testing under red illumination

Talk to an Instron Expert.

Whether you are setting up a new CCL tensile test program or need help selecting the right grip, extensometer, and chamber configuration for your temperature range and specimen dimensions, our team can help.