Leave Your Message

China Rigid Flex Printed Circuit Boards - Leading Suppliers & Factory for Flexible PCB Solutions

Flexible PCBs have gained significant traction in the electronics market, emerging as an essential component in various applications. As a leading supplier and factory in China, we specialize in the production of flexible PCBs tailored for a range of uses, including wearable technology, medical devices, artificial organs, and RFID modules. Our rigid flexible PCBs are an innovative alternative to traditional rigid PCBs, combining the sturdiness of PCB material with the bending capabilities necessary for modern designs. These boards are particularly beneficial in mobile phones and wearable products, offering a perfect blend of durability and flexibility.


Our rigid flexible PCBs can be easily bent, folded, or rounded, making them ideal for integration into a variety of products. They enhance the convenience and mobility of portable devices, such as expansion cards and batteries in laptops and desktops. While semi flexible PCBs can also be bent, they do not offer the same level of flexibility as our rigid flexible boards. These designs are perfect for areas with high foot traffic, as they can accommodate movement without breaking or separating. In this blog post, we will explore the diverse applications of rigid flexible PCB and semi flexible PCB designs, showcasing the innovative solutions provided by our factory in China.

    Product Application

    Common applications of rigid flexible combination PCB and semi flexible PCB design

    Medical Imaging Instruments

    Medical applications require a large number of semi flexible PCBs. Semi flexible PCBs are used in medical devices such as endoscopes and other imaging instruments. An endoscope is a hose with a lamp at one end and a lens at the other end. Insert it into the body to view the internal structure or perform procedures such as tissue biopsy, drainage of fluid accumulation, removal of foreign objects, and dilation of narrow channels (such as the esophagus). Semi flexible PCBs have the advantages of good electrical performance and low cost. A semi flexible PCB can be bent to the desired shape, making it suitable for this application.

    Other medical applications:
    • Injection needle tip protection circuit board (ETC)
    • Medical device temperature control circuit board
    • Portable blood pressure monitor display circuit board

    Automotive Applications

    Semi flexible printed circuit boards (SFPBs) are used in automotive applications with high temperatures and vibrations. Flexible circuits provide excellent performance under high temperature conditions and ensure that circuit boards do not break due to mechanical shock or vibration. They are made of rigid FR-4 glass epoxy resin material and laminated with additional copper foil layers on both sides of the substrate to meet the requirements of most applications. The main characteristic of semi flexible printed circuit boards is their flexibility, which makes them very suitable for automotive applications involving high temperatures, such as digital control units (DCUs), electronic control modules (ECM), etc. These boards can withstand temperatures up to 150 °C without damage or deformation.

    Aviation

    With the increasing demand for miniaturization and weight reduction, the use of rigid flexible combination PCBs for aerospace applications has increased. The combination of rigid and flexible PCBs as interconnecting devices is an effective solution that can reduce weight, size, and power consumption while improving reliability. Rigid flexible PCB has been used in various aerospace applications, such as avionics, telecommunications, and military systems. In avionics applications, rigid flexible combination PCBs are used as connector devices between printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other components such as cables, switches, or displays. They help reduce the number of connectors required on PCBs, thereby helping to reduce the weight of the system. They also improve reliability by reducing the number of connected components.

    Wearable Devices

    Wearable devices are becoming increasingly popular, with smartwatches and fitness trackers being the most popular examples. Wearable devices are usually small battery powered devices worn on the body. The combination of rigid and flexible PCBs and semi flexible PCBs is used for wearable devices. Rigid and flexible PCBs are more common in smartwatches, while semi flexible PCBs are more common in fitness trackers. This is because rigid and flexible can withstand bending forces, which is important for smartwatches that need to be able to withstand impact when colliding with objects, while semi flexible is more suitable for wearable devices that need to be able to bend with the body.

    Smartphones and Laptops

    Semi flexible PCBs are typically used for applications where PCBs need to be bent but not bent. For example, semi flexible circuit boards are typically used to display flexible high-end smartphone and tablet systems. In these devices, a thin layer of semi flexible board is directly laminated onto the back of the monitor. This allows the display to bend but not break when folded or bent. Semi flexible plates can also be used in situations where extreme flexibility is not required. For example, they can be used on the back of devices with rigid front panels - such as many laptops and monitors.

    Sporting Facilities

    The main advantage of using rigid and flexible PCBs in gaming devices is that they can better prevent mechanical impact damage. This is because they have fewer layers than standard rigid circuit boards, making them more susceptible to strong external forces such as impacts or drops. The layers on the rigid and flexible PCB are also more resistant to bending, which means that if you drop the device, it will withstand greater pressure than traditional rigid PCBs. For example, game consoles require frequent bending, and the combination of rigid and flexible PCBs can easily bend or fold without breaking or cracking during use.

    Bottom Line

    Due to their certain characteristics and characteristics, rigid and semi flexible PCBs may score higher than their counterparts in multiple fields. Due to their similar functions, they compete fiercely with other available PCBs, providing end users with more economical choices. These applications are sometimes related, and some do not belong to any specific category. You can design which one according to your specific requirements and needs. If you would like to learn more about rigid flex combined PCBs, Borui Circuit recommends that you refer to our complete guide on this topic.

    Product Parameters

    Feature AREX's Technical Specification
    Number of layers 1 – 12 layers, with 1 – 2 conductive layers in bending area.
    Technology highlights The process uses controlled depth routing of the FR-4 to achieve a flexible / bending section within a traditionally rigid FR-4. Only suitable for static operations – bends typically just for installation. A lower cost solution for some very specific “flex-to-fit”applications.
    Bending performance 50 x bend cycles of 0° – 90° – 0°
    Bend features 5mm radius / max bending angle 90°
    Materials Specialized FR-4 for static flex applications
    Copper weights (finished) 35μm
    Minimum track and gap 0.075mm / 0.075mm
    PCB thickness 1.00mm – 2.00mm
    PCB thickness in flex section 0.25mm ± 0.05mm
    Maximum dimensions 538mm x 610mm
    Surface finishes available HASL (SnPb), LF HASL (SnNiCu), OSP, ENIG, Immersion tin, Immersion silver, Electrolytic gold, Gold fingers
    Minimum mechanical drill 0.20mm
    Minimum laser drill 0.10mm standard, 0.075mm advanced

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a semi-flexible PCB? +
    A semi-flexible PCB is made of standard, thin FR-4 material that has been routed down to a specific thickness in the bending area. This allows the board to bend (usually for installation or "flex-to-fit" static applications) without the higher costs associated with polyimide-based flexible PCBs.
    How many times can a semi-flexible PCB be bent? +
    According to AREX's technical specifications, these PCBs support up to 50 bend cycles of 0° – 90° – 0° with a 5mm bending radius. They are primarily designed for static, flex-to-install operations rather than dynamic, continuous bending.
    What is the typical thickness of the flexible section? +
    While the overall PCB thickness ranges from 1.00mm to 2.00mm, the depth-routed flexible section has a thickness of 0.25mm ± 0.05mm to ensure reliable bending performance.
    Can semi-flexible PCBs withstand high-temperature environments? +
    Yes, semi-flexible PCBs used in automotive applications (like DCUs and ECMs) are designed to withstand temperatures up to 150 °C without damage or deformation, providing excellent stability under mechanical shock and vibration.
    What surface finishes are available for these PCBs? +
    A wide range of surface finishes is available to match your assembly requirements, including HASL (SnPb), LF HASL (SnNiCu), OSP, ENIG, Immersion Tin, Immersion Silver, Electrolytic Gold, and Gold Fingers.