In a message dated 06/22/2000 7:51:08 PM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

> Hi all,
>
>  what is now the situation for FR4? Are there still delivery problems?
>
>  Will it get better or worst?
>
>  I just spoke to one of the major glass fibre maker and they say that the
>  major impact is still to come.
>
>  Any comments on that?
>
>  regards
>
>  Jens Behrens

Hi Jens!

The FAB guys can probably comment more from first hand experience than I can.
This topic has come up a few times on the TechNet. I did some searching on
the 'Net and found that there maybe some shortages on the horizon. What I was
able to find on this subject are due to a few reasons:

1. No one anticipated the demand for glass fiber...this has been due to the
demand for not only printed circuits, but also due to the use of composites
in automobiles that use glass fibers.

2. The increased demand for fiber-optic quality glass fiber, which is more
profitable than standard grade glass fiber used in laminates. Glass fiber
companies respond to the demand...make something that is more profitable than
something that isn't...so you can see that it really is a
possibilty...laminate shortages that is.

I would have never thought that tantalum capacitors would be worth their
weight in gold, but it's a reality now....

-Steve Gregory-

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