Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS)
IMS Printed Circuit Boards.
Insulated Metal Substrate (IMS) PCBs consist of a thin layer of thermally conductive but electrically insulating dielectric between a metal base, typically aluminium and a copper foil.
The copper foil is used to make the PCB traces and pads on which to solder electronic components.
This construction makes heat dissipation from electronic components extremely effective.
The heat generated locally by the individual components is "conducted" through the dielectric layer to the metal foil to be dissipated extensively.
Although originally intended for use in the high-power electronics sector, these substrates are now predominantly used in high-brightness LED lighting products.
The main fields of application are lighting, high-power electronics and the automotive industry.