FFC, FPC (Flat Flexible) Connectors

Image	Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity	Rfq
	F05E-102146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 10POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-482146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 48POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-192146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 19POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-382146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 38POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-461146R Harwin	CONN FPC TOP 46POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-303146R Harwin	CONN FPC VERT 30POS 0.50MM SMD	0
	F05E-371146R Harwin	CONN FPC TOP 37POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-291146R Harwin	CONN FPC TOP 29POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-511146R Harwin	CONN FPC TOP 51POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-562146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 56POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-143146R Harwin	CONN FPC VERT 14POS 0.50MM SMD	0
	F05E-272146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 27POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-542146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 54POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-113146R Harwin	CONN FPC VERT 11POS 0.50MM SMD	0
	F05E-102146 Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 10POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-053146 Harwin	CONN FPC VERT 5POS 0.50MM SMD	0
	F10-2950346R Harwin	CONN FPC VERT 3POS 1.00MM SMD	0
	F05E-512146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 51POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-251146R Harwin	CONN FPC TOP 25POS 0.50MM R/A	0
	F05E-292146R Harwin	CONN FPC BOTTOM 29POS 0.50MM R/A	0

FFC, FPC (Flat Flexible) Connectors

1. Overview

Flat Flexible Connectors (FFC/FPC) are compact, lightweight solutions for connecting electronic circuits. FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) refers to pre-formed ribbon cables with conductive traces, while FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) are custom-designed circuits on flexible substrates. These connectors enable high-density interconnections in space-constrained applications, playing critical roles in modern electronics for their bendability, vibration resistance, and miniaturization capabilities.

2. Major Types & Function Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
ZIF (Zero Insertion Force)	Self-aligning contacts with minimal mating force	Smartphone displays, medical imaging devices
LIF (Low Insertion Force)	Economical solution with moderate insertion force	Consumer electronics, industrial sensors
Wrap-style FPC	360 bending capability with exposed contacts	Automotive infotainment systems
Stiffener-reinforced FFC	Localized rigidity for component mounting	Aerospace control panels

3. Structure & Composition

Typical construction includes:

Conductor Layer: Annealed copper (0.035-0.1mm thickness) with nickel/gold plating
Dielectric Layer: Polyimide film (0.05-0.25mm) or PVC insulation
Contact Interface: Phosphor bronze or beryllium copper terminals
Reinforcement: Steel/aluminum stiffeners in specific zones

Termination methods include press-fit, soldering, and anisotropic conductive film (ACF) bonding.

4. Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Importance	Typical Range
Contact Resistance	Signal integrity maintenance	10-50m
Current Rating	Power transmission capability	0.5-3A per pin
Operating Temperature	Environmental reliability	-40 C to +105 C
Flex Life	Durability in dynamic applications	10,000-200,000 cycles
Pitch Size	Miniaturization factor	0.3mm-1.27mm

5. Application Fields

Consumer Electronics: Smartphones (camera modules), laptops (HDD connections)
Automotive: Dashboard clusters, ADAS sensors, infotainment systems
Medical: Portable monitors, imaging equipment (MRI connectors)
Industrial: Robotics (arm joint connections), measurement instruments

6. Leading Manufacturers

Manufacturer	Representative Products	Key Features
TE Connectivity	Micro Speed FFC	0.5mm pitch, 30G durability
Molex	PicoBlade FPC	Space-saving LIF design
JAE Electronics	DF12 Series	High-speed transmission up to 10Gbps
Hirose Electric	FH34 Series	Self-mating connector system

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Circuit density requirements (pitch size vs. pin count)
Mechanical stress analysis (bend radius, flex cycles)
Thermal management needs (current load vs. conductor thickness)
Environmental sealing requirements (IP rating)
Cost vs. performance trade-offs (material choices)

Real-case Example: Smartphone camera module requires 0.3mm pitch FPC with 200 m bend radius and 100,000 flex life rating.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Sub-0.3mm pitch connectors for 5G mobile devices
Integrated EMI shielding in FPC structures
High-temperature resistant materials (up to 150 C)
3D-shaped FPCs for automotive LiDAR systems
Smart connectors with embedded sensing capabilities