PCB material- CEM-1

Thread from IPC's ComplianceNet

Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 13:49:27 –0500
From: tom.burek@AMETEK.COM
Subject: PCB material- CEM-1

I am a member of IPC in search of an answer. What are the current standards in regards to the use of CEM-1 as board material? Specifically is CEM-1 a UL approved material?

Regards
Tom Burek
tom.burek@ametek.com

Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 07:55:40 –0500
Reply-To: "ComplianceNet E-Mail Forum." , Christopher Jorgensen
Sender: ComplianceNet Mail Forum
From: Christopher Jorgensen
Subject: Re: PCB material- CEM-1
X-To: tom.burek@AMETEK.COM

Tom,

I contacted Michael Musich, UL, for information on whether or not CEM-1 is a UL approved material and how someone can get this material approved.

He informed me that CEM-1 is a UL/NEMA ANSI grade material.

The generic parameters for the material can be found in UL Standard 746E, Tables 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3. A CEM-1 material can be established via the Abbreviated Test Program (i.e., I.R., TGA, Flexural Strength, Ash Content, Flammability; see Table 6.1); the compliance criteria are included in Table 6.2.

Once a material is established as CEM-1 material for a vendor, a PWB fabricator may add the material to their UL File (via UL Standard 796) without test, provided the fabricator has:

  1. Submitted test coupons to UL and obtained Recognition for the use of a CEM-1 material.
  2. The production Process is the same (or less severe) as used for the production of boards in #1.
  3. The parameter profile for the candidate material and/or PWB Type is the same (or less severe) as in #1.

IPC-4101, Slash Sheet 10 and Slash Sheet 80, also list the requirements for CEM-1 materials.

If you have further questions on CEM-1 UL approval, please feel free to contact Michael Musich (musichm@ul.com).

I hope this helps you with your question. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Best regards,

Chris

Chris Jorgensen
Project Manager
IPC
2215 Sanders Rd.
Northbrook, IL 60062-6135
IPC/SMTA Electronics Assembly Expo
October 24 - 29, 1998
Rhode Island Conention Center
Providence, RI
www.ipc.org/html/assemexpo.htm
-p- 847-509-9700 x.328
-f- 847-509-9798
jorgch@ipc.org
http://www.ipc.org