The Signal Integrity Problem That Drives Engineers to ITEQ High-Speed Materials

Every PCB engineer who has pushed a design past 10 Gbps has hit the same wall. The board that worked fine at 5 Gbps starts showing eye closure, jitter, and insertion loss failures that simulation didn’t fully predict. You tighten the stack-up, optimize the via transitions, reduce the stub lengths — and the channel still doesn’t close. Then someone suggests switching the laminate, and suddenly the numbers work.

That experience is what drives engineers toward ITEQ high-speed PCB laminates. The difference between a standard FR-4 with Df of 0.020 and an IT-988GSE with Df of 0.0055 isn’t academic — at 25 Gbps over a 20-inch backplane trace, it’s the difference between a working channel and a failed one. ITEQ has built one of the most comprehensive high-speed laminate portfolios in the industry, covering everything from the entry-level IT-968 for 10G Ethernet all the way to the IT-908GX for 112G PAM4 and 5G mmWave applications.

This guide covers ITEQ’s complete high-speed laminate portfolio, the signal integrity physics that make material selection matter, how to match the right ITEQ material to your specific design requirements, and how ITEQ stacks up against competing materials from Panasonic, Isola, and Rogers.

Why Laminate Material Determines High-Speed Channel Performance

Before getting into ITEQ’s specific products, it’s worth grounding the discussion in the physics. Understanding why laminate properties matter at high data rates helps you make better material selection decisions and have more productive conversations with your fabricator.

Dielectric Loss: The Primary Insertion Loss Driver Above 5 GHz

Insertion loss in a PCB transmission line has two primary components: conductor loss and dielectric loss. At low frequencies, conductor loss dominates. As frequency increases, dielectric loss grows proportionally with frequency and eventually becomes the dominant loss mechanism.

The dissipation factor (Df, also called loss tangent or tan δ) is the material property that directly controls dielectric loss. The relationship is straightforward:

Dielectric loss (dB/inch) ∝ Df × frequency × √Dk

This means that at 28 GHz, a material with Df of 0.020 (standard FR-4) has roughly 3.6× more dielectric loss than a material with Df of 0.0055 (IT-988GSE). Over a 15-inch trace, that difference is the entire loss budget for many high-speed channels.

Dk Stability: Why Frequency-Dependent Permittivity Matters

The dielectric constant (Dk) affects transmission line impedance and signal propagation velocity. What matters for high-speed design isn’t just the Dk value — it’s how stable that value is across frequency. Standard FR-4 shows significant Dk variation from 1 GHz to 10 GHz (typically 4.6 dropping to 4.3–4.5). ITEQ’s high-speed materials show much flatter Dk vs. frequency curves, which means your impedance calculations at 1 GHz are still valid at 28 GHz.

Copper Surface Roughness: The Factor That Amplifies Material Differences

Copper surface roughness interacts with laminate loss in a way that many engineers underestimate. At high frequencies, the skin effect confines current flow to the outer surface of the conductor. Rough copper surfaces increase the effective path length of current flow, adding conductor loss that compounds with dielectric loss.

ITEQ’s high-speed materials are specified with different copper foil options:

Copper Foil Type	Surface Roughness (Rz)	Frequency Range	ITEQ Materials
Standard ED	5–8 μm	< 5 GHz	IT-158, IT-180A
Low Profile (LP)	3–5 μm	5–15 GHz	IT-968, IT-988GSE
Very Low Profile (VLP)	1.5–3 μm	15–30 GHz	IT-988GSE, IT-998G
Ultra Low Profile (HVLP)	< 1.5 μm	> 30 GHz	IT-908G, IT-908GX

For IT-988GSE and above, specifying VLP copper is not optional for designs above 15 GHz — the conductor loss contribution from standard copper at those frequencies can exceed the dielectric loss improvement you gained by choosing the better laminate.

Glass Weave Effect and Fiber Weave Skew

Standard glass weave creates periodic variations in the local Dk along a transmission line — the resin-rich areas between glass bundles have lower Dk than the glass-rich areas. At high data rates, this periodic variation causes differential skew between the two conductors of a differential pair, degrading common-mode rejection and increasing jitter.

ITEQ’s high-speed materials are available with spread-glass weave styles (1078, 1035) that distribute the glass fibers more uniformly, reducing the periodic Dk variation. For designs above 10 Gbps, specifying spread-glass weave is a meaningful signal integrity improvement that costs nothing extra in most cases.

ITEQ High-Speed PCB Laminate Portfolio Overview

ITEQ’s high-speed laminate portfolio spans four performance tiers, each targeting a specific range of data rates and applications. Here’s the complete picture before diving into each tier:

Performance Tier	ITEQ Products	Df Range (10 GHz)	Target Data Rate	Key Applications
Mid-Loss	IT-958G, IT-958GS	0.0095–0.0105	3–10 Gbps	USB 3.x, SATA, PCIe Gen 2
Low-Loss Entry	IT-968, IT-968SE	0.0070–0.0085	6–25 Gbps	10G Ethernet, PCIe Gen 3
Low-Loss	IT-988GSE, IT-988GX	0.0050–0.0055	12–56 Gbps	PCIe Gen 4, 25G Ethernet
Very Low-Loss	IT-998G, IT-998GX	0.0038–0.0040	28–56 Gbps	PCIe Gen 5, 56G PAM4
Ultra Low-Loss	IT-908G, IT-908GX	0.0032–0.0035	56–112 Gbps	112G PAM4, 5G mmWave

Mid-Loss ITEQ High-Speed Laminates: IT-958 Series

IT-958G and IT-958GS: Bridging the Gap from FR-4

The IT-958 series is ITEQ’s answer to the large class of designs that have outgrown standard FR-4 but don’t yet need the full performance of the IT-968 tier. These are halogen-free materials with Tg of 170°C and meaningful loss improvement over standard FR-4.

Property	IT-958G	IT-958GS	Standard FR-4	Test Method
Tg (DSC)	170°C	170°C	140–150°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.25
Td	340°C	345°C	300–310°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
T-288	20–25 min	22–28 min	5–8 min	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
Dk (1 GHz)	4.10	4.00	4.60	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Df (1 GHz)	0.0100	0.0090	0.0160	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Dk (10 GHz)	3.95	3.85	4.50	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Df (10 GHz)	0.0105	0.0095	0.0180	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Moisture Absorption	0.12%	0.10%	0.20%	IPC-TM-650 2.6.2.1
CAF Resistance	Good	Good	Marginal	IPC-TM-650 2.6.25
Halogen-Free	Yes	Yes	No	IEC 61249-2-21

The IT-958GS with Df of 0.009 at 1 GHz represents roughly a 44% reduction in dielectric loss compared to standard FR-4. For USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) on traces up to 8 inches, this is often sufficient to close the channel without stepping up to IT-968.

When to Choose IT-958 Series

The IT-958 series makes sense when:

Your design runs USB 3.x, SATA 6Gbps, or PCIe Gen 2 with moderate trace lengths

You need halogen-free compliance but can’t justify IT-968 pricing

Your fabricator doesn’t stock IT-968 but has IT-958GS qualified

You’re designing a cost-sensitive industrial product where IT-968 is overkill

The IT-958 series is not the right choice for PCIe Gen 3 or above, 10G Ethernet on traces longer than 6 inches, or any application where you’re running channel simulations and the loss budget is tight.

Low-Loss Entry: IT-968 and IT-968SE

IT-968: The Most Important ITEQ High-Speed Material for Most Engineers

IT-968 is the product that most engineers encounter first when they move beyond standard FR-4 for high-speed designs. It’s widely stocked across Asia, well-characterized by fabricators, and sits at a price point that’s justifiable for a broad range of applications. If you’re designing a board with USB 3.1 Gen 2, 10G Ethernet, or PCIe Gen 3 interfaces and you’re sourcing from an Asian fabricator, IT-968 is almost certainly in your fabricator’s standard stack-up library.

Property	IT-968	IT-968SE	Test Method
Tg (DSC)	185°C	185°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.25
Td	350°C	352°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
T-288	25–30 min	25–30 min	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
Dk (1 GHz)	3.90	3.85	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Df (1 GHz)	0.0085	0.0075	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Dk (10 GHz)	3.85	3.80	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Df (10 GHz)	0.0085	0.0070	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Dk (28 GHz)	3.78	3.72	Clamped stripline
Df (28 GHz)	0.0095	0.0082	Clamped stripline
Moisture Absorption	0.12%	0.10%	IPC-TM-650 2.6.2.1
CAF Resistance	Good	Good	IPC-TM-650 2.6.25
Z-CTE	50 ppm/°C	50 ppm/°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.41
Halogen-Free	Yes	Yes	IEC 61249-2-21
Lead-Free Compatible	Yes	Yes	260°C reflow

IT-968SE: The Upgrade That Often Closes the Channel

IT-968SE’s Df of 0.007 at 10 GHz puts it at the boundary between mid-loss and low-loss territory. The “SE” designation indicates a reformulated resin system with improved loss characteristics while maintaining the same fabrication process as standard IT-968. Your fabricator doesn’t need to change anything in their process to switch from IT-968 to IT-968SE — it’s a drop-in upgrade.

For 10G Ethernet designs with trace lengths between 8 and 15 inches, IT-968SE is often the most cost-effective solution that closes the channel budget. The Df improvement from 0.0085 to 0.007 translates to roughly 0.5–0.8 dB/inch less insertion loss at 10 GHz — meaningful margin on a long trace.

IT-968 Series Application Mapping

Application	Interface	Trace Length	IT-968 or IT-968SE?
10G Ethernet NIC	10GBASE-KR	< 10 inches	IT-968
10G Ethernet NIC	10GBASE-KR	> 10 inches	IT-968SE
PCIe Gen 3 x16	8 Gbps/lane	< 8 inches	IT-968
PCIe Gen 3 x16	8 Gbps/lane	> 8 inches	IT-968SE
USB 3.1 Gen 2	10 Gbps	Any	IT-968
WiFi 6/6E	5–6 GHz RF	Any	IT-968
SATA 6Gbps	6 Gbps	Any	IT-968
25G Ethernet	25 Gbps	< 6 inches	IT-968SE
25G Ethernet	25 Gbps	> 6 inches	IT-988GSE

Low-Loss ITEQ High-Speed Laminates: IT-988 Series

IT-988GSE: The Workhorse of High-Speed PCB Design in Asia

Ask any PCB engineer at a Taiwanese or Chinese EMS company what laminate they use for PCIe Gen 4 and 25G Ethernet designs, and IT-988GSE comes up in that conversation almost every time. It’s the most widely specified ITEQ high-speed laminate for serious high-speed digital design, and for good reason — it delivers genuine low-loss performance at a price point that’s accessible for production volumes.

Property	IT-988GSE	IT-988GX	Test Method
Tg (DSC)	185°C	185°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.25
Td	355°C	358°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
T-288	28–35 min	30–38 min	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
Dk (1 GHz)	3.90	3.80	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Df (1 GHz)	0.0060	0.0055	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Dk (10 GHz)	3.70	3.65	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Df (10 GHz)	0.0055	0.0050	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Dk (28 GHz)	3.62	3.57	Clamped stripline
Df (28 GHz)	0.0068	0.0062	Clamped stripline
Moisture Absorption	0.08%	0.07%	IPC-TM-650 2.6.2.1
CAF Resistance	Very Good	Very Good	IPC-TM-650 2.6.25
Z-CTE	48 ppm/°C	47 ppm/°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.41
Halogen-Free	Yes	Yes	IEC 61249-2-21
Lead-Free Compatible	Yes	Yes	260°C reflow

The IT-988GSE’s Df of 0.0055 at 10 GHz represents a 35% improvement over IT-968 and a 70% improvement over standard FR-4. On a 20-inch backplane trace at 25 GHz, that difference is approximately 3–4 dB of insertion loss — the difference between a working channel and a failed one.

IT-988GX: When IT-988GSE Isn’t Quite Enough

IT-988GX is the extended-performance variant of IT-988GSE, with Df of 0.005 at 10 GHz vs. 0.0055 for IT-988GSE. The difference sounds small, but on long backplane channels at 25 Gbps, that 0.0005 Df improvement translates to roughly 0.3–0.5 dB less insertion loss per 10 inches of trace — meaningful margin when you’re already at the edge of the loss budget.

IT-988GX is the right choice for:

Backplane designs with channel lengths above 20 inches at 25 Gbps

Designs where IT-988GSE simulation shows marginal eye opening

Applications where you want additional margin against manufacturing variation

Hybrid stack-ups where IT-988GX is used on critical signal layers and IT-988GSE on less critical layers

IT-988 Series vs. Competing Low-Loss Materials

Material	Manufacturer	Dk (10 GHz)	Df (10 GHz)	Relative Cost	Availability in Asia
IT-988GSE	ITEQ	3.70	0.0055	Baseline	Excellent
IT-988GX	ITEQ	3.65	0.0050	+10–15%	Good
Megtron 4	Panasonic	3.70	0.0060	+30–40%	Good
FR408HR	Isola	3.65	0.0070	+15–25%	Moderate
I-Speed	Isola	3.62	0.0060	+20–30%	Moderate
S7136H	Shengyi	3.80	0.0070	-10–15%	Good in China
EM-888K	EMC	3.75	0.0065	-5–10%	Good in Taiwan

IT-988GSE is competitive with Megtron 4 on Dk/Df while typically coming in at 30–40% lower cost when sourced through Asian fabricators. It outperforms Isola FR408HR on loss performance by a meaningful margin.

Very Low-Loss ITEQ High-Speed Laminates: IT-998 Series

IT-998G: ITEQ’s Answer to Panasonic Megtron 6

The IT-998G is where ITEQ’s material science capability really shows. With Df of 0.004 at 10 GHz, IT-998G is directly competitive with Panasonic Megtron 6 — the material that has been the gold standard for very low-loss PCB design for over a decade. The resin system in IT-998G uses a modified PPO/PPE chemistry that achieves lower moisture absorption and better glass-resin adhesion than standard epoxy, contributing to both the improved electrical performance and the excellent CAF resistance.

Property	IT-998G	IT-998GX	Megtron 6 (ref)	Test Method
Tg (DSC)	190°C	195°C	185°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.25
Td	360°C	362°C	350°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
T-288	30–40 min	32–42 min	30+ min	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
Dk (1 GHz)	3.60	3.55	3.61	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Df (1 GHz)	0.0045	0.0042	0.0040	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Dk (10 GHz)	3.55	3.50	3.60	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Df (10 GHz)	0.0040	0.0038	0.0038	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Dk (28 GHz)	3.48	3.43	3.55	Clamped stripline
Df (28 GHz)	0.0050	0.0046	0.0048	Clamped stripline
Moisture Absorption	0.06%	0.06%	0.07%	IPC-TM-650 2.6.2.1
CAF Resistance	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	IPC-TM-650 2.6.25
Z-CTE	45 ppm/°C	44 ppm/°C	46 ppm/°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.41
Halogen-Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	IEC 61249-2-21

The IT-998G vs. Megtron 6 comparison is one of the most relevant for engineers evaluating supply chain options. On paper, they’re essentially equivalent — Megtron 6’s Df of 0.0038 vs. IT-998G’s 0.004 is within measurement uncertainty for most test methods. The practical choice often comes down to fabricator qualification status and cost rather than raw material performance.

IT-998GX: The Step Up for 56G PAM4 Backplanes

IT-998GX with Df of 0.0038 at 10 GHz matches Megtron 6’s headline number while maintaining ITEQ’s cost advantage. For 56G PAM4 backplane designs where channel lengths push 24–30 inches, IT-998GX provides the loss performance needed to close the channel with adequate eye margin.

IT-998 Series Application Mapping

Application	Data Rate	Channel Length	Recommended
PCIe Gen 5	32 Gbps/lane	< 12 inches	IT-998G
PCIe Gen 5	32 Gbps/lane	> 12 inches	IT-998GX
56G PAM4 SerDes	56 Gbps	< 20 inches	IT-998G
56G PAM4 SerDes	56 Gbps	> 20 inches	IT-998GX
5G sub-6GHz	3.5–6 GHz RF	Any	IT-998G
100G QSFP28	25 Gbps/lane	Any	IT-998G
400G QSFP-DD	56 Gbps/lane	< 15 inches	IT-998G
400G QSFP-DD	56 Gbps/lane	> 15 inches	IT-998GX

Ultra Low-Loss ITEQ High-Speed Laminates: IT-908 Series

IT-908G and IT-908GX: ITEQ’s Flagship High-Frequency Materials

The IT-908 series represents ITEQ’s most advanced material technology. These materials use a hydrocarbon-modified resin system that achieves Df values below 0.0035 at 10 GHz while maintaining the thermal reliability (Tg 200°C, T-288 35–48 minutes) needed for demanding assembly and operating conditions. The IT-908G series is ITEQ’s direct competitor to Panasonic Megtron 7 and Isola Tachyon 100G in the ultra-low-loss tier.

Property	IT-908G	IT-908GX	Megtron 7 (ref)	Test Method
Tg (DSC)	200°C	200°C	195°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.25
Td	370°C	375°C	365°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
T-288	35–45 min	38–48 min	35+ min	IPC-TM-650 2.4.24.6
Dk (1 GHz)	3.50	3.45	3.37	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Df (1 GHz)	0.0038	0.0035	0.0030	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.2
Dk (10 GHz)	3.45	3.40	3.34	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Df (10 GHz)	0.0035	0.0032	0.0028	IPC-TM-650 2.5.5.5
Dk (28 GHz)	3.38	3.33	3.28	Clamped stripline
Df (28 GHz)	0.0042	0.0038	0.0035	Clamped stripline
Dk (77 GHz)	3.30	3.25	3.22	Split-post resonator
Df (77 GHz)	0.0055	0.0050	0.0045	Split-post resonator
Moisture Absorption	0.05%	0.05%	0.04%	IPC-TM-650 2.6.2.1
CAF Resistance	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	IPC-TM-650 2.6.25
Z-CTE	42 ppm/°C	40 ppm/°C	40 ppm/°C	IPC-TM-650 2.4.41
Halogen-Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	IEC 61249-2-21

Megtron 7 has a slight edge on Df at 10 GHz (0.0028 vs. 0.0032–0.0035 for IT-908G/GX), but the gap is smaller than the price difference. For most 112G PAM4 and 5G mmWave applications, IT-908G or IT-908GX provides sufficient performance at a meaningfully lower cost than Megtron 7.

IT-908G for 5G mmWave Applications

The 5G mmWave frequency bands (24–28 GHz, 37–40 GHz) place specific demands on PCB laminates that go beyond what standard high-speed digital materials can meet. The key requirements are:

Low Df at 28 GHz: IT-908G’s Df of 0.0042 at 28 GHz is among the best available from any epoxy-based laminate. For antenna array boards and beamforming networks operating at 28 GHz, this translates directly to lower insertion loss and better antenna efficiency.

Stable Dk at 28 GHz: IT-908G shows Dk of 3.38 at 28 GHz vs. 3.45 at 10 GHz — a variation of only 0.07. This stability is critical for antenna design, where Dk variation directly affects resonant frequency and impedance matching.

Thermal stability: Outdoor 5G base station equipment operates across wide temperature ranges (-40°C to +85°C). IT-908G’s high Tg (200°C) and low moisture absorption (0.05%) ensure that electrical properties remain stable across this temperature range.

IT-908G vs. Rogers RO4350B for 5G mmWave

Property	IT-908G	Rogers RO4350B	Notes
Dk (10 GHz)	3.45	3.48	Essentially equivalent
Df (10 GHz)	0.0035	0.0037	IT-908G slightly better
Dk (28 GHz)	3.38	3.42	IT-908G slightly lower
Df (28 GHz)	0.0042	0.0040	Rogers slightly better
Tg	200°C	>280°C	Rogers higher
T-288	35–45 min	N/A	Different test regime
Multilayer capability	Excellent	Limited	IT-908G better for MLB
Cost	Moderate	High	IT-908G lower
Asian fab availability	Excellent	Moderate	IT-908G better

For 5G mmWave antenna boards that need to be integrated into multilayer PCB assemblies, IT-908G is often the better practical choice over Rogers RO4350B — the multilayer fabrication process is more straightforward, and the electrical performance difference at 28 GHz is within the measurement uncertainty of most test setups.

ITEQ High-Speed Laminate Selection by Application Vertical

Data Center and Server Infrastructure

Data center infrastructure is the application vertical where ITEQ high-speed laminates see the most volume. The progression from 10G to 25G to 100G to 400G to 800G networking has driven a corresponding progression through ITEQ’s product line.

Generation	Switch Speed	Lane Rate	Recommended ITEQ	Stack-Up Notes
10G era	10G	10 Gbps	IT-968SE	8–10 layer, standard via
25G era	100G	25 Gbps	IT-988GSE	10–14 layer, back-drill
100G era	400G	56 Gbps	IT-998G	14–18 layer, back-drill
400G era	1.6T	112 Gbps	IT-908G	16–20 layer, HDI
800G era	3.2T	112 Gbps	IT-908GX	20+ layer, advanced HDI