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FFC vs FPC cable-Differences between FFC (flexible flat cable) and FPC(flexible printed circuit)

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What is an FFC Cable?
FFC ribbon cable, also known as Flexible Flat Cable, also known as reflective ribbon cable or flat flexible cable. It is a type of wire made by laminating copper foil or other metal foil on a polymer material as the substrate and an insulation layer as the version. FFC ribbon cables are mainly composed of substrates, metal foil, wires, protective layers, and other parts, which have the characteristics of softness, lightness, bendability, and anti distortion.

ffc 1.25 mm Pitch FFC FPC Flat Flex Flexible Ribbon Cable

What is an FPC Cable?
FPC cable, also known as Flexible Printed Circuit, is a very thin and flexible circuit board. It uses polyimide film (PI) as the substrate, with a conductive metal foil covering the surface and forming a circuit pattern, which is then cut and processed. FPC ribbon cables have advantages such as high density, thinness, flexibility, and reliability, which can accommodate a large number of lines while only being a fraction of the thickness of traditional wires.

Switch Lite L Key Flex Joystick PCB FPC Flexible Printed Circuit

FFC vs FPC cable
About the FFC vs FPC cable, there are significant differences between FFC and FPC cables in several aspects:
1.Construction and materials:
FFC cables, or flexible flat cables, are primarily made of polymer materials as a substrate, with copper foil or other metal foil laminated on top of an insulating layer. FPC cables, or flexible printed circuit boards, are flexible circuit boards that use polyimide film (PI) as a substrate, with conductive metal foil covering the surface and forming a circuit pattern.
2.Features and applications:
FFC cables are flexible, thin, bendable, and resistant to twisting, and are widely used in electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, and flat-screen televisions to connect various electronic components and devices. FPC cables also have advantages such as high density, thinness, flexibility, and reliability, and are commonly used in mobile devices, electronic watches, folding screens, and other applications to effectively save product volume and improve space utilization.
3.Design and manufacturing:
The width of the FFC cable depends on the spacing required for the connector to be assembled, and usually has a fixed shape such as a rectangular shape. The FPC cable is more flexible and can be customized in various shapes, and can be designed as a multi-layer structure to accommodate more lines and devices.
4.Cost and appearance:
The process of FPC cable is relatively more complex, with higher processing costs and usually higher prices. In addition, the appearance color of FPC cable may include yellow, black, or white, while the surface color of FFC cable is usually white.

In summary, there are significant differences between FFC and FPC cables in terms of construction, characteristics, design and manufacturing, as well as cost and appearance. When choosing which cable to use, decisions need to be made based on specific application requirements, device structure, and cost considerations.