KB-6160 is Kingboard’s standard (normal-Tg) FR-4 laminate, used with KB-6060 prepreg, for general-purpose rigid boards. On Kingboard’s datasheet it has a Tg of 138°C (DSC), a Td of 310°C, and a Dk of 4.4 with a Df of 0.018 at 1 GHz, and it is classified to IPC-4101/21. It is a cost-effective choice for simple boards with few reflow cycles, but Kingboard states it is not intended for applications that require CAF resistance, and its thermal margin is lower than high-Tg grades. This page puts the official values together, shows Dk and Df by core construction, and explains when KB-6160 fits and when to move up. For other laminates, see our PCB materials guide.
1. What Is KB-6160?
| Item | KB-6160 |
|---|---|
| Maker | Kingboard Laminates |
| Type | Conventional FR-4, normal Tg |
| Laminate / prepreg | KB-6160 / KB-6060 |
| IPC-4101 slash sheet | /21 |
| UL file | E123995 |
| Features listed | UV blocking, AOI compatible |
| Not intended for | Applications requiring CAF resistance |
Source: Kingboard KB-6160 / KB-6060 datasheet. Kingboard also publishes a VDE certificate for the material (updated June 2025). Kingboard’s other versions (KB-6160A, C, F, LC) have their own datasheets; do not mix their values with KB-6160.
2. What Does the Datasheet Say?
Typical values, 1.6 mm test laminate (7628 × 8):
| Property | KB-6160 | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Tg | 138°C | DSC, IPC-TM-650 2.4.25 |
| Td (5% weight loss) | 310°C | TGA, IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6 |
| T260 | > 10 min | TMA, IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.1 |
| Thermal stress (solder float, 288°C) | ≥ 180 s | IPC-TM-650 2.4.13.1 |
| Z-axis CTE below / above Tg | 60 / 300 ppm/°C | IPC-TM-650 2.4.24 |
| Z-axis expansion, 50–260°C | 4.3% | IPC-TM-650 2.4.24 |
| Dk at 1 MHz / 1 GHz | 4.6 / 4.4 | IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.9, 50% resin |
| Df at 1 MHz / 1 GHz | 0.016 / 0.018 | Same |
| Water absorption | 0.17% | IPC-TM-650 2.6.2.1 |
| Peel strength, 1 oz (after float) | 1.75 N/mm | IPC-TM-650 2.4.8 |
| CTI | ≥ 175 V | IEC 60112 |
| Flammability | V-0 | UL 94 |
How do Dk and Df vary by core?
Kingboard’s line-up (version 1.1, 2022) lists values per core at 1 GHz, from Dk 4.0 / Df 0.018 for a 0.076 mm 1080 core to Dk 4.4 / Df 0.013 for 7628 cores, with ±0.2 Dk tolerance (KB-6160 line-up). At 10 GHz, Dk drops by about 0.1–0.2 and Df rises slightly. Use the value for the cores in your stackup when you calculate impedance.
3. Where Does KB-6160 Fit?
Compared with high-Tg FR-4 on their makers’ datasheets:
| Property | KB-6160 | Shengyi S1141 (normal Tg) | Shengyi S1000-2M (high Tg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tg (DSC) | 138°C | 140°C | 180°C |
| Td | 310°C | 310°C | 355°C |
| Z-axis expansion, 50–260°C | 4.3% | 4.5% | 2.4% |
| IPC-4101 slash sheet | /21 | /21 | /126 |
KB-6160 sits with other standard FR-4 grades such as Shengyi S1141 and NP-140. High-Tg grades like S1000-2M expand roughly half as much through reflow, which matters for thick and multilayer boards. Our FR-4 material guide explains Tg, Td and T288.
4. When Is KB-6160 a Good Choice?
- Single- and double-sided boards and simple 4-layer boards.
- One or two lead-free reflow passes, little rework.
- Consumer, lighting, power supply and control products running well below Tg.
- Cost-sensitive volume production.
5. When Should You Move to a Higher Grade?
| If your board has | Consider |
|---|---|
| A CAF-resistance requirement (fine hole spacing, high voltage or humidity) | A grade that the maker lists as CAF resistant (Kingboard states KB-6160 is not) |
| 6 or more layers, or thickness over 1.6 mm | High-Tg FR-4 with lower Z-axis expansion |
| Several reflow cycles or rework | High-Tg FR-4 with longer T288 |
| High operating temperature | High-Tg FR-4 |
| Fast signals | A low-loss laminate |
6. How Do You Specify It?
| Item | What to write |
|---|---|
| Material | “Kingboard KB-6160 / KB-6060, or equivalent per IPC-4101/21” |
| Substitution | Allow equivalents to the slash sheet, or “no substitution without approval” |
| Thickness and stackup | Finished thickness and core/prepreg build, or “fabricator to propose” |
| Impedance | Targets and tolerance; calculate with the line-up values for your cores |
Naming the slash sheet lets the fabricator use an equivalent standard FR-4 when it is more available, while keeping the minimum properties. Our free DFM check reviews the material choice against your layer count and assembly.
How Can We Help?
Send your Gerber files and stackup; we will confirm the laminate in the quote, which comes back within 2 hours for bare boards. New customers get 2–4 layer FR-4 prototypes free, and we build multilayer PCBs up to 40 layers. You can compare laminates with our PCB material selector.
Conclusion
KB-6160 is Kingboard’s standard FR-4 (IPC-4101/21): Tg 138°C, Td 310°C, Dk 4.4 and Df 0.018 at 1 GHz, and 4.3% Z-axis expansion. It suits simple, cost-sensitive boards with few reflow passes. For CAF-resistance requirements, thick multilayer boards or repeated soldering, choose a high-Tg or CAF-resistant grade. Contact us for a quote.
FAQ
What is KB-6160? Kingboard’s conventional normal-Tg FR-4 laminate, used with KB-6060 prepreg.
What is the Tg of KB-6160? 138°C by DSC.
What is the Dk of KB-6160? 4.4 at 1 GHz (4.6 at 1 MHz) on the main datasheet; 4.0 to 4.4 at 1 GHz depending on the core in the line-up.
Is KB-6160 CAF resistant? Kingboard states it is not intended for applications that require CAF resistance.
Is KB-6160 lead-free compatible? It can be used with lead-free soldering for simple boards, but its Td of 310°C and T260 of over 10 minutes leave less margin than high-Tg grades for multiple reflows.
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