MG Chemicals 540, Double Sided Copper Clad Boards, 1/16", 1z Copper, 3"X5", Case of 5
MG Chemicals 540, Double Sided Copper Clad Boards, 1/16", 1z Copper, 3"X5", Case of 5
MG Chemicals 540 is a double-sided copper-clad FR4 board for PCB prototyping and small production runs. Each nominal 3 × 5-inch blank combines a 1/16-inch glass-epoxy laminate with the manufacturer's 1 oz copper cladding specification and copper on both faces. This compact format gives engineers, electronics workshops, students and hobbyists a starting blank for designs requiring two copper faces. This listing supplies a case of five boards.
Best Uses / Applications
- Double-sided PCB prototypes fitting a 3 × 5-inch starting blank.
- Small production runs using a suitable resist and copper-etching process.
- Electronics education and practical circuit-board fabrication.
- Custom circuit development where copper is needed on both board faces.
This is an unpatterned copper-clad laminate, not a pre-etched circuit, pre-drilled perfboard or solderless breadboard. Double-sided cladding alone does not provide a finished circuit or plated-through interconnections. Select and qualify the fabrication process for your design.
Key Features
- Continuous woven glass cloth impregnated with epoxy resin.
- FR4, described by the manufacturer as the flame-retardant version of G-10.
- Double-sided construction with 1 oz copper cladding, nominally 35 µm or 1.37 mil copper thickness.
- Less copper to remove than comparable 2 oz cladding, enabling quicker etching under comparable conditions.
- DICY (dicyandiamide) cured system and UV-blocking construction.
- Manufacturer describes easy cutting without specialized equipment; use a suitable cutting method and follow the SDS.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / part number | MG Chemicals / 540 |
| Family | 500 Series Copper Clad Boards |
| Construction | Double-sided copper-clad FR4 glass-epoxy laminate |
| Board dimensions | 3 × 5 in. nominal; manufacturer metric listing 76 × 127 mm |
| Laminate thickness | 1/16 in. nominal / manufacturer listing 1.6 mm |
| Copper cladding designation | 1 oz |
| Nominal copper thickness | 35 µm / 1.37 mil |
| Sales package | Case of 5 boards |
| Cure system | DICY |
| UV blocking | Yes, per manufacturer |
| Manufacturer-reported conformance | UL file E214381 and IPC-4101C/21 |
| Flammability, typical family data | 94 V-0, UL-94 |
| Maximum operating temperature, typical | 130°C |
| Glass transition temperature, typical | 140°C |
| Moisture absorption, typical | 0.25% |
| Dielectric constant at 1 GHz, typical | 4.2 |
| Dissipation factor at 1 GHz, typical | 0.015 |
| Dielectric strength, typical | 1,200–1,400 V/mil |
| Peel strength, 1 oz copper, typical | 10–12 lb/in. as received; 9–12 lb/in. after thermal stress |
| Flexural strength, typical | 600 MPa warp; 500 MPa fill |
| Storage | 18–27°C, dry and away from sunlight; sealed airtight and protected from humidity |
Performance figures are manufacturer-published typical family values for reference, not guaranteed design limits. Consult the full TDS and qualify the laminate and fabrication process for the intended assembly.
Compare Copper-Clad Board Options
| Option | Difference | Selection consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 540: double-sided 1 oz, 3 × 5 in. | Compact blank with copper on both faces | Double-sided layouts fitting this starting size |
| 503: single-sided 1 oz, 3 × 5 in. | Same nominal face dimensions, copper on one face | Designs needing only one copper face |
| 555: double-sided 1 oz, 12 × 12 in. | Larger blank in the same listed laminate thickness | Double-sided layouts needing more starting area |
| 515: single-sided 1 oz, 8 × 10 in. | Larger rectangular blank, copper on one face | Single-sided fabrication rather than a direct double-sided substitute |
| 2 oz copper-clad board | More copper than 1 oz cladding | Compare electrical and fabrication requirements, not etching speed alone |
The family also includes 1/2 oz copper and 1/32-inch laminate options. Those thinner options do not describe 540.
Fabrication and Storage Guidance
Confirm the layout dimensions, copper weight and need for copper on both faces before fabrication. The manufacturer describes using an anti-etch PCB pen and copper etchant. Plan the patterning and processing of both faces, use each chemical according to its instructions, and inspect the circuit before assembly. Follow the board SDS and instructions for all fabrication tools and chemicals. Store unused boards in an airtight container at 18–27°C in a dry area away from sunlight and humidity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is MG Chemicals 540?
Each blank is nominally 3 × 5 inches, listed as 76 × 127 mm, with a 1/16-inch (1.6 mm) FR4 laminate.
Does 540 have copper on both sides?
Yes. The manufacturer lists 540 as double-sided copper-clad FR4 with 1 oz copper cladding.
What does 1 oz copper mean?
It is the copper cladding weight designation. The manufacturer gives a nominal copper thickness of 35 µm or 1.37 mil; it is not the weight of the entire finished board.
How many boards are supplied?
This listing supplies a case of five 540 boards.
Is this a finished two-layer PCB?
No. It is an unpatterned blank with copper on both faces. Your design still needs a suitable fabrication process and any required interconnections.
How does it compare with 503?
Both have nominal 3 × 5-inch face dimensions and are listed with 1 oz copper and 1/16-inch FR4. 540 is double-sided; 503 is single-sided.
Why choose 1 oz instead of 2 oz copper?
The manufacturer notes quicker etching because 1 oz cladding contains less copper to remove. Choose cladding according to circuit and process requirements.
How should unused boards be stored?
Keep them at 18–27°C, dry and away from sunlight, sealed in an airtight container and protected from humidity.
Technical and Safety Documents
MG Chemicals 500 Series Copper Clad Boards Technical Data Sheet
Manufacturer revision October 6, 2025, version 3.0.
MG Chemicals 500 Series Copper Clad Boards Safety Data Sheet
Manufacturer revision February 28, 2020, version 2.01; includes part 540.
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