7 challenges make risky Towards Sustainable Automotive PCB Design
Automotive PCBs are built to handle a lot.
We’re talking extreme temperatures, high vibrations, exposure to oil, fuel, and humidity.
Now, when you move to sustainable materials—like halogen-free laminates or bio-based substrates—you’re taking a risk.
Not all eco-friendly materials are built to endure the severe environmental conditions inside a car, especially in areas like engine compartments or battery packs.
Ensuring these materials can withstand the high temperatures and mechanical stress typical of automotive environments is a key challenge.
2. Safety First – Does Sustainability Pass the Crash Test?
In automotive electronics, safety is non-negotiable.
Think about systems like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) or Battery Management Systems (BMS)—a failure here isn’t just inconvenient, it’s catastrophic.
Sustainable PCB materials need to meet the same stringent safety standards, such as ISO 26262 for functional safety, as their traditional counterparts.
The issue?
Some of these new materials haven’t been fully tested under the harsh conditions automotive systems demand.
Can they resist flame and heat?
Do they maintain performance over time?
Sustainability needs to prove it can keep up with safety first.
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