Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are classified into various types based on manufacturing processes, design specifications, and application requirements such as medical, automotive, defense, and space.

There are a variety you can choose from to meet the needs of your product, from single sided PCBs to multi-layer or even flexible PCBs.

But before making a decision on which is right for you, it’s important to understand the basics.

The different types of printed circuit boards mainly include the following
· Single-Sided PCBs
· Double-Sided PCBs
· Multilayer PCBs
· Rigid PCBs
· Flex PCBs
· Rigid-Flex PCBs

Classification by layers

According to the number of circuit layers, it is divided into Single-layer board, Double-layer board and multi-layer board. Common multi-layer boards are generally 4-layer or 6-layer boards, and complex multi-layer boards can reach dozens of layers. PCB boards are divided into the following three main types:

Single-layer PCBs

Single-layer PCBs are the simplest type of PCBs and are coated with a single layer of conducting material and a layer of solder mask. Because wires appear on only one side, this type of PCB is called Single-sided.

Because a single panel had many severe limitations on the design circuit (because there was only one side, the wiring could not be crossed and had to be routed in a separate path). As a result, Single-sided printed circuit boards (PCBs) are used for basic and low-cost electrical/electronic instruments such as calculators, power supplies, LED lighting boards, FM radios, timing circuits, and so on.

Double-layer PCBs

Double-layer PCBs have a layer of conducting material on both the top and bottom of the board.The conductive material on either side of the board is connected via through-holes or surface mounts,which is better suited for more complex circuits than Single-layer PCBs.

Double-sided PCBs are used in a variety of applications such as cell phone systems, power monitoring, test equipment, amplifiers, HVAC application, UPS system, and many more.

Multi-layer PCBs

Multi-layer printed circuit boards have more than two conductive layers,which are best used in complex applications.However, the cost to produce a multi-layer PCB is higher, requiring more time and skill to design and build.

Multi-layer PCBs are used in computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, medical equipment, GPS trackers, and many other more complex circuits and devices.

Classification by hard and soft

According to the hard and soft,it include flexible PCBs, rigid PCB, and flex-rigid PCBs.

Rigid PCBs

As the name implies, a rigid PCB is a circuit board that cannot be twisted or folded. The board’s base material is a rigid substrate, which gives the board rigidity and strength. 

A Rigid PWB can be Single Sided, Double Sided or Multilayer. Once a Rigid Circuit Board is manufactured they cannot be modified or folded into any other shape.
Rigid PCBs are used in GPS equipment, computer, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, X-rays, heart monitors, CAT scans, MRI systems, temperature sensors, control tower instrumentation, etc.

Flex PCBs

As the name suggests, the Flex PCB are flexible and can be folded and are not hard as Rigid PCB. Like rigid PCBs, flexible PCBs come in single, double or multilayer formats. 

Still, flexible PCBs offer many advantages over rigid PCBs. The most prominent of these advantages is the fact that they are flexible. This means they can be folded over edges and wrapped around corners. Their flexibility can lead to cost and weight savings since a single flexible PCB can be used to cover areas that might take multiple rigid PCBs.

Flex PCBs are used in organic light emitting diode (OLED) fabrication, LCD fabrication, flex solar cell, automotive industries, cellular telephones, cameras, and complex electronics products such as laptop computers.

Rigid-Flex PCBs

A Rigid-Flex PCB is a hybrid circuit board that combines elements from both flexible and rigid circuit boards, resulting in a board that can be folded or continuously flexed. Most simple form of a rigid-flex printed circuit board consists of a rigid circuit board joint to a flexible circuit board.

Rigid-flex boards can be designed in a compact manner, and their lightweight nature makes them an excellent option for a wide range of applications in the aerospace, medical, and consumer electronics fields.

In addition to the six common types described above, there are 

two other types of PCBS

High Density Interconnect (HDI) PCB

HDI PCBs, known as High Density Interconnect PCBs, are one of the fastest-growing technologies available in the circuit board world.
HDIs have higher circuitry density compared to more traditional circuit boards, such as single sided or double sided PCBs, and their design allows them to have smaller vias, smaller capture pads alongside higher connection pad densities.

High Frequency PCB

The main difference in manufacturing high frequency printed circuit boards pertains to the design itself.  These PCB are designed to facilitate signals over 1 gigahertz. 
Depending on the application, high frequency printed circuit boards may require the use of advanced laminate materials and controlled impedance.

Thus, this is all about different types of printed circuit boards with PCB prototyping and manufacturing, which include Single-Sided PCBs, Double Sided PCBs, Multilayer PCBs, Rigid PCBs, Flex PCBs, Rigid-Flex PCBs, etc. 

No matter what type you need, tdt-ele can make your ideas a reality.