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PCB Cost Analysis Series 5: Why Are Heavy Copper PCBs So Expensive? A Comprehensive Guide to the True Cost Structure and Pricing Secrets of Heavy Copper PCBs

Hello everyone! In hardware development, whenever dealing with high-power power supplies, automotive electronics, or designs requiring extremely high thermal dissipation performance, **heavy copper PCBs (typically referring to copper thickness ≥2 oz / 70 μm)** are definitely the engineer’s top choice. However, many procurement and layout engineers are often taken aback when they receive a quote: “It’s just thicker copper—why is a 3-ounce board so much more expensive than a 1-ounce one?” In fact, the cost of heavy copper PCBs follows a “step-wise increase.” The core price difference is by no means solely due to the increased amount of copper; rather, it is determined by four key factors: materials, manufacturing processes, production yield, and design complexity. Today, we’ll thoroughly break down the cost structure of heavy copper PCBs to help you understand exactly where your budget is going!