MG Chemicals 515, Single Sided Copper Clad Board, 1/16", 1 Oz Copper, 8"x10", Case of 5
MG Chemicals 515, Single Sided Copper Clad Board, 1/16", 1 Oz Copper, 8"x10", Case of 5
MG Chemicals 515 is a single-sided copper-clad FR4 board for PCB prototyping and small production runs. Each 8 × 10-inch blank combines a 1/16-inch glass-epoxy laminate with 1 oz copper cladding on one side, giving design engineers, repair departments, students and hobbyists a starting surface for custom circuit fabrication. This listing supplies a case of five boards.
Best Uses / Applications
- Single-sided PCB prototypes and design validation.
- Small production runs using a suitable resist and etching process.
- Electronics education and hands-on circuit-board fabrication.
- Custom board layouts needing an 8 × 10-inch starting blank.
This is a copper-clad laminate blank, not a pre-etched circuit, pre-drilled perfboard or solderless breadboard. The manufacturer describes fabrication with an anti-etch PCB pen and copper etchant; select the complete process and handling controls appropriate to your design.
Key Features
- Continuous woven glass cloth impregnated with epoxy resin.
- FR4, the flame-retardant version of G-10 described by the manufacturer.
- Single-sided 1 oz copper cladding, nominally 35 µm or 1.37 mil thick.
- Less copper to remove than a comparable 2 oz copper board, enabling quicker etching under comparable process conditions.
- DICY (dicyandiamide) cured system and UV-blocking construction.
- Manufacturer describes the boards as easy to cut without specialized equipment; use a suitable cutting method and follow the SDS.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / part number | MG Chemicals / 515 |
| Product family | 500 Series Copper Clad Boards |
| Construction | Single-sided copper-clad FR4 glass-epoxy laminate |
| Board dimensions | 8 × 10 in.; manufacturer metric listing 203 × 254 mm |
| Laminate thickness | 1/16 in. nominal / manufacturer listing 1.6 mm |
| Copper weight | 1 oz |
| Copper thickness | 35 µm / 1.37 mil nominal |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 515: single-sided 1 oz, 8 × 10 in. | Copper on one face; 1/16-in. FR4 | Single-sided designs needing this blank size |
| 521: single-sided 1 oz, 12 × 12 in. | Larger blank in the same listed thickness | Layouts needing more board area |
| 540: double-sided 1 oz, 3 × 5 in. | Copper on both faces; smaller blank | Designs requiring two copper faces |
| 2 oz copper-clad board | More copper than a 1 oz board | Compare electrical and etching requirements; manufacturer notes quicker etching with 1 oz |
| 500 Series 1/2 oz / 1/32-in. option | Thinner copper and laminate within the family | Do not assume these family options describe 515 |
Fabrication and Storage Guidance
Plan the circuit layout and confirm the required board size, copper weight and layer count before fabrication. Apply a suitable etch resist, use a compatible copper etchant according to its instructions, and inspect the resulting circuit before assembly. Follow the board SDS and the instructions for every fabrication chemical and tool. Keep unused boards in an airtight container in a dry area at 18–27°C, away from sunlight and humidity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of MG Chemicals 515?
Each board is nominally 8 × 10 inches, listed by the manufacturer as 203 × 254 mm, with a 1/16-inch (1.6 mm) FR4 laminate.
Is there copper on both sides?
No. 515 is single-sided, with copper cladding on one face. Choose a double-sided part if the design needs copper on both faces.
What does 1 oz copper mean here?
It identifies the copper cladding weight designation. The manufacturer gives its nominal thickness as 35 µm or 1.37 mil; it does not mean the finished board weighs one ounce.
How many boards are supplied?
This listing is a case of five 515 boards.
Is it a ready-to-use circuit board?
No. It is an unpatterned copper-clad blank. Circuit fabrication requires an appropriate resist, etching process and any additional operations your design needs.
Why choose 1 oz instead of 2 oz copper?
The manufacturer notes that 1 oz boards contain less copper, making etching quicker than 2 oz boards under comparable conditions. Choose copper weight based on the circuit's requirements, not etching speed alone.
Is FR4 the same as ordinary G-10?
The manufacturer describes FR4 as the flame-retardant version of G-10. The 500 Series uses woven glass cloth impregnated with epoxy resin and a DICY cured system.
How should unused boards be stored?
Store at 18–27°C in a dry area 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 515.
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