Flexible Thinking: Designing Flex Circuits for Dynamic Reliability
Global PCB Connections: Rigid-flex and Flexible PCBs—The Backbone of Modern Electronics
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
I-Connect007 Releases Episode 4 of ‘PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics’ Podcast Series
April 9, 2026 | I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
I-Connect007 is excited to announce the release of Episode 4 in its six-part podcast series with Isola experts, PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics. Titled “Reliability Under Pressure—PCBs in Harsh Environments,” this episode explores the challenges of maintaining long-term performance in demanding applications like aerospace, automotive, and defense.
Host Marcy LaRont speaks with Laura Martin, director of strategic markets at Isola, about what reliability truly means when printed circuit boards are pushed to their limits.
Martin explains that reliability is no longer defined by temperature thresholds or traditional metrics like Tg alone. Instead, engineers must evaluate how cyclic strain affects composite materials over time. The discussion highlights key factors, including thermal cycling, Z-axis expansion, moisture under bias, and anisotropic behavior, each contributing to fatigue and eventual failure.
The episode also examines common failure mechanisms, including plated through-hole cracking and interfacial delamination, underscoring the need for a more nuanced approach to material selection, one centered on strain management and real-world conditions.
“As electronics move into increasingly harsh environments, understanding how materials behave under stress is essential,” said LaRont. “This episode offers valuable insight into designing for durability, not just compliance.”
Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to:
- Evaluate materials beyond traditional specifications
- Anticipate and mitigate long-term reliability risks
- Design PCBs that withstand real-world environmental stressors
All episdoes of the PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics podcast series can be heard on Apple, Spotify or at I-Connect007.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
AI Demand Drives PCB Material Market Growth
05/08/2026 | TPCAAs AI computing continues to drive a comprehensive upgrade in hardware specifications, the global printed circuit board industry is undergoing a profound structural transformation.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
05/01/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007If it feels like the PCB industry is accelerating faster than ever, you’re not imagining it. From advanced materials driven by AI applications to renewed investment in domestic manufacturing—and the next generation stepping into critical roles—there’s a lot shifting at once. My selections for this week highlight where the pressure points are forming, and where the opportunities are emerging.
Electronics Manufacturing Needs Your Voice: Global Sentiment Survey Now Live
04/30/2026 | Global Electronics AssociationThe latest monthly Global Sentiment Survey from the Global Electronics Association is now open. At a time when demand uncertainty, policy shifts, energy costs, and supply chain recalibration are pulling the industry in multiple directions, the survey captures something macroeconomic data often misses: how manufacturers are actually experiencing conditions on the ground.
From Backbone to Breakthroughs: I-Connect007 Wraps PCB Materials Series with Focus on Innovation
05/06/2026 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 wraps up its six-part podcast series, PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics, with Episode 6 and a discussion focusing on innovation. In Episode 6, Marcy LaRont speaks with Isola CTO Kirk Thompson about a critical turning point for the PCB industry as innovation accelerates. As data rates climb and demands from AI infrastructure, power density, flexible electronics, photonics, and chiplet integration intensify, traditional material assumptions are no longer sufficient.
Jiva Soluboard Getting the Attention It Deserves
04/30/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007 MagazineJiva is a newer company that bridges the divide between PCB fabrication and product circularity or sustainability. Jiva Soluboard is the first fully recyclable laminate material ever created for PCB fabrication, and it's not going unnoticed. Stephen Driver, CEO of Jiva, gave us an update at APEX EXPO, including an exciting certification achievement in February.