Rogers vs Arlon | RF PCB Laminate Brand Comparison

Rogers vs Arlon: Which RF Laminate Brand Fits Your Design?

Rogers Corporation and Arlon Electronic Materials (now part of AGC) are two of the most established names in high-frequency laminates. Rogers offers the broadest portfolio—from thermoset hydrocarbon ceramics (RO4000 series) to ultra-low-loss PTFE (RT/duroid)—while Arlon specializes in PTFE and polyimide-based substrates optimized for military, aerospace and high-reliability microwave circuits. Choosing between them depends on your frequency band, thermal budget, fabrication complexity and cost target.

This comparison walks through every parameter that matters, gives you a side-by-side data table, and closes with clear “choose X when…” guidance so you can spec the right material on your next board.

Company Background and Portfolio Scope

Rogers Corporation

Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Rogers has been manufacturing high-frequency circuit materials since the 1960s. Its product families span a wide range of chemistries:

• RO4000 series — thermoset hydrocarbon/ceramic, no PTFE, compatible with standard FR-4 processing. RO4350B (Dk 3.48 ± 0.05 at 10 GHz) is the single most widely used RF laminate in the industry.
• RO3000 series — ceramic-filled PTFE for tight Dk tolerance (±0.04). RO3003 (Dk 3.00) is common in 77 GHz automotive radar front-ends.
• RT/duroid 5880 — glass-microfiber-reinforced PTFE with a Df as low as 0.0009 at 10 GHz, favored in satellite and phased-array feeds.
• TMM and RO4700 — thermoset ceramics for antenna elements needing high Dk (up to 12.85).

Rogers publishes detailed condition-specific datasheets and maintains a global network of approved fabricators, which simplifies sourcing. For a broader comparison of Rogers against other brands, see the RF laminate comparison hub.

Arlon Electronic Materials (AGC Arlon)

Arlon, originally based in Bear, Delaware, was acquired by AGC (Asahi Glass) in 2017. Its core product lines include:

• AD-series — woven-glass-reinforced PTFE (AD255, AD260A, AD350A, AD410, AD450, AD600, AD1000). The AD series covers Dk values from 2.55 to 10.0, targeting military radar, electronic warfare and avionics.
• CLTE-series — non-woven PTFE with extremely low CTE in the Z-axis (CLTE, CLTE-AT, CLTE-XT). Designed for multilayer builds where plated-through-hole reliability under thermal cycling is critical.
• DiClad 880 — non-woven PTFE with Dk 2.17, comparable to RT/duroid 5880 in low-loss performance.
• IsoClad 917 — non-woven PTFE (Dk 2.20) for stripline and high-isolation applications.
• Polyimide-based (33N, 35N, 85N) — high-temperature laminates for flex-rigid and mil-aero hybrid stackups.

Arlon’s strength lies in military-grade PTFE materials with tight CTE control and proven heritage in defense programs. If you are also evaluating Taconic’s PTFE line, the Taconic vs Arlon comparison covers that angle.

Head-to-Head Material Property Comparison

The table below aligns the most commonly cross-referenced Rogers and Arlon grades. All Dk and Df values are at 10 GHz per manufacturer datasheets unless noted.

Key takeaways from the table:

• Dk values overlap closely at similar grades, so electrical performance alone rarely decides the brand. The difference shows up in processing, CTE and supply chain.
• Rogers RO4350B wins on processability because it is not PTFE—standard epoxy-glass fabrication lines can handle it without plasma etch or sodium-naphthalene surface prep.
• Arlon CLTE-series wins on Z-axis CTE, a critical parameter for multilayer PTFE stackups that must survive hundreds of thermal cycles per IPC-6012 Class 3/A requirements.

Dielectric Loss and Frequency Performance

Loss tangent (Df) is the single most important parameter above 10 GHz because conductor loss and dielectric loss contribute roughly equally at that point, and dielectric loss dominates beyond 30 GHz. Both Rogers and Arlon PTFE grades deliver Df in the 0.0009–0.0013 range at 10 GHz, which is effectively equivalent for most designs.

Where they diverge is in Dk stability versus frequency. Rogers publishes Dk vs. frequency curves from 1 GHz to 77 GHz for its automotive-radar grades (RO3003, RO3035). Arlon datasheets historically report Dk at 10 GHz and sometimes at 1 MHz; getting validated 77 GHz data may require requesting test coupons directly from AGC. If your design operates above 40 GHz and you need published, traceable Dk data, Rogers currently has a documentation advantage.

For designs below 20 GHz—where the vast majority of defense radar, electronic warfare and communications systems still operate—Arlon’s AD and CLTE families are well-characterized and field-proven over decades of military programs.

Thermal Management and Reliability

Z-Axis CTE: The Hidden Reliability Driver

Pure PTFE expands aggressively in the Z-axis (CTE > 200 ppm/°C above the glass-transition region). In a multilayer board with plated through-holes, that expansion can crack barrel copper during thermal excursions. Arlon addressed this directly with the CLTE family: CLTE-XT achieves a Z-axis CTE of about 30 ppm/°C—comparable to Rogers RO3003’s 24 ppm/°C—by using a non-woven reinforcement architecture that constrains out-of-plane expansion.

Rogers’ approach to the same problem in its PTFE lines (RT/duroid 5880, RO3003) uses ceramic fillers to reduce CTE. Both strategies work; the choice often comes down to which material your fabricator has already qualified in their multilayer PTFE press cycle.

Thermal Conductivity

Rogers RO4350B has a thermal conductivity of 0.69 W/m·K, roughly 2.5–3× higher than most PTFE grades from either brand. For power amplifier pallets and high-power RF front-ends where heat must conduct through the substrate to a heatsink, this matters. If you need PTFE-level loss and good thermal conductivity, Rogers RO3003 (0.50 W/m·K) is one of the few options. Arlon’s ceramic-loaded AD1000 (Dk 10.0) also offers improved thermal conductivity relative to unfilled PTFE, but at a very different Dk.

Fabrication and Processing Differences

The biggest practical difference between Rogers and Arlon is not in the laminate itself—it is in the processing chemistry required by PTFE versus non-PTFE grades.

• Rogers RO4000 series (non-PTFE): Drill, plate and etch on a standard FR-4 line. No special surface preparation. Lead-free solder compatible. This dramatically widens the pool of qualified fabricators and reduces cost.
• Arlon AD/CLTE/DiClad (PTFE): Requires sodium-naphthalene or plasma treatment to activate the PTFE surface before copper adhesion in multilayer lamination. Drilling generates more smear; plasma desmear is standard. Fewer fabricators have qualified PTFE processes, and cycle times are longer.
• Rogers RT/duroid and RO3000 (PTFE): Same PTFE-handling requirements as Arlon’s PTFE grades. No inherent processing advantage over Arlon here.

When comparing PTFE-to-PTFE, the fabrication burden is essentially the same regardless of brand. The real processing advantage belongs to Rogers’ hydrocarbon-ceramic lines, which have no Arlon equivalent. If you are weighing whether PTFE is necessary at all, the PTFE vs hydrocarbon laminate comparison explains the chemistry trade-offs in detail.

Finding the Right Arlon Grade for Your Application

Arlon’s product line spans a wide Dk range (2.17–10.0) and multiple reinforcement architectures. Use the selector below to narrow the field: enter your target Dk, operating frequency and whether you need multilayer-friendly CTE, and the tool returns the best-fit Arlon grade with key properties.

For example, if you enter Dk ≈ 3.5 and need operation at X-band (8–12 GHz) in a multilayer military radar, the tool will likely point to AD350A or CLTE-XT. AD350A uses woven-glass reinforcement and is easier to handle mechanically, while CLTE-XT gives you far better Z-axis CTE for plated-through-hole survival. If the tool suggests a grade you have not used before, request a sample panel from AGC and run a test coupon through your fabricator’s PTFE process before committing to production.

Cost and Supply Chain Considerations

Neither Rogers nor Arlon publishes list prices, and actual cost depends on panel size, thickness, copper weight and order volume. However, some qualitative cost drivers are consistent:

• Rogers RO4350B is generally the lowest-cost high-frequency laminate because it does not require PTFE processing and has the largest production volume of any RF-grade material. It is often 30–50 % less expensive per panel than PTFE-based alternatives from either brand.
• Arlon PTFE grades and Rogers PTFE grades are in a similar cost band. The raw material cost is comparable; the dominant cost adder is the specialized fabrication.
• Arlon materials may have longer lead times outside defense-focused supply chains. Rogers has a broader distribution network (through Digi-Key, Mouser and regional distributors), while Arlon materials are more commonly stocked by mil-aero-oriented fabricators.
• Second-source risk: Rogers grades like RO4350B and RO3003 have near-equivalents from multiple vendors (Taconic, Isola, even some domestic Chinese brands), giving you fallback options. Arlon’s CLTE family has fewer direct substitutes, which can be a risk or an advantage depending on your program’s qualification requirements.

For a broader look at how Rogers stacks up against other alternative brands, the Rogers vs Isola comparison covers the hydrocarbon-ceramic segment, while the Rogers vs FR-4 analysis quantifies when standard FR-4 is actually good enough.

When to Choose Rogers

• You want the simplest, lowest-cost RF laminate: RO4350B processed on a standard line.
• You need published data above 40 GHz: Rogers’ datasheets cover mmWave bands with validated Dk/Df curves.
• Automotive radar at 77–79 GHz: RO3003 and RO3035 are the de facto standards, with IATF 16949-qualified production.
• Broad fabricator availability matters: More shops worldwide are qualified on Rogers materials than on Arlon.
• Hybrid stackups with FR-4: RO4000 laminates bond well with standard prepregs (RO4450F), making mixed-dielectric multilayers straightforward.

When to Choose Arlon

• Military/aerospace programs with existing Arlon QPL qualifications: Re-qualifying to a different brand can cost more than any material savings.
• Multilayer PTFE boards needing extreme Z-axis CTE control: The CLTE family is purpose-built for this and has decades of field history in defense platforms.
• High-Dk antenna substrates (Dk 6–10): Arlon AD600 and AD1000 offer PTFE-based high-Dk options that Rogers addresses with different chemistries (TMM series), so the choice depends on whether you need PTFE’s low moisture absorption.
• You need a non-woven PTFE at Dk ≈ 2.2: DiClad 880 is a direct, well-proven alternative to RT/duroid 5880, sometimes available on shorter lead times through AGC’s defense supply chain.

Layer Count and Stackup Implications

Both brands support multilayer builds, but the practical ceiling differs. Rogers RO4000-based stackups routinely reach 8–10 layers using standard sequential lamination. PTFE multilayers—whether Rogers or Arlon—become progressively harder above 6 layers because each lamination cycle requires precise temperature/pressure profiles to avoid delamination without over-compressing the soft PTFE.

If your design needs more than four RF layers, consider a hybrid approach: PTFE cores for the critical RF signal layers and a conventional laminate for power and digital layers. Both Rogers and Arlon publish bonding-film recommendations for hybrid stackups (Rogers RO4450F bondply, Arlon CuClad bonding films), but verify compatibility with your fabricator’s press cycle before finalizing the stackup.

Standards and Qualification

Both brands’ laminates can be fabricated to IPC-6012 Class 3 or Class 3/A requirements when processed correctly. For military programs, the relevant specification is often MIL-PRF-31032 (rigid printed boards) or program-specific QPL listings. Arlon materials appear on many legacy defense QPLs, which can be a decisive factor: switching brands on a qualified platform triggers requalification testing that may cost tens of thousands of dollars and months of schedule.

Verdict: Rogers vs Arlon Decision Matrix

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arlon the same company as before?

Arlon Electronic Materials was acquired by AGC (Asahi Glass Co.) in 2017. The product lines, grade names and specifications remain the same, but ordering and technical support now go through AGC’s electronic materials division. Existing QPL listings are maintained.

Can I drop-in replace Rogers RT/duroid 5880 with Arlon DiClad 880?

Electrically, yes—Dk (2.20 vs 2.17) and Df (both ≈ 0.0009) are close enough that a minor trace-width adjustment (typically < 0.5 mil / 0.013 mm) restores 50 Ω impedance. Mechanically, confirm that your fabricator’s lamination and drilling parameters are validated for DiClad 880 specifically, because reinforcement structure differences affect drill wear and registration.

Which brand is better for mmWave above 60 GHz?

Rogers has a stronger published data set at mmWave frequencies. RO3003 and RO3035 datasheets include Dk/Df curves up to 77 GHz. Arlon materials perform well at these frequencies in practice, but you may need to generate your own characterization data using IEEE-standard resonator or transmission-line methods if the manufacturer datasheet does not cover your exact band.

Do I need PTFE at all for designs below 6 GHz?

Often, no. Rogers RO4350B (non-PTFE) handles most designs up to about 10–12 GHz with acceptable loss. Below 6 GHz, even standard FR-4 with controlled Dk can work for non-critical paths. PTFE becomes essential when Df must stay below about 0.002 or when the application demands ultra-stable Dk across temperature and humidity.

How do I get samples of Arlon materials?

Contact AGC’s electronic materials division directly or work through a mil-aero-focused fabricator that stocks Arlon laminates. Unlike Rogers, Arlon panels are not typically available through broad-line electronic component distributors.