II-VI Incorporated Introduces Silicon Carbide Ceramic Materials with Record Thermal Conductivity of 255 W/(m-K) for Power Electronics Modules

Rhea-AI Summary

II-VI Incorporated (Nasdaq: IIVI) announced the launch of a new reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramic with an industry-leading thermal conductivity of 255 W/(m-K). This advancement is critical for power electronics applications, enhancing efficiency and reliability. The company plans to expand its production capacity with a new facility in Vietnam, complementing its existing facilities in the U.S. This innovation supports a growing demand in clean energy and power conversion applications, increasing II-VI’s market reach and ensuring supply chain continuity.

Positive

• New ceramic material with a thermal conductivity of 255 W/(m-K), exceeding competitors by at least 25%.
• Expansion of manufacturing capacity with a new facility in Vietnam to meet increasing demand.
• Enhanced product offerings for power electronics, supporting clean energy initiatives and efficiency.

Negative

• None.

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- II‐VI Incorporated (Nasdaq: IIVI), a leading provider of components based on reaction-bonded ceramics and metal-matrix composites, today announced that it introduced a new grade of its proprietary reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramic material, with a record thermal conductivity of 255 W/(m-K), for power electronics applications, including IGBT baseplates.

The growing interest in clean energy is accelerating the electrification of the global energy and transport infrastructure and driving the demand for power electronics that can achieve greater efficiency and reliability. II-VI’s new ceramic is based on a proprietary composition that achieves a market-leading thermal conductivity of 255 W/(m-K) at 25°C, enabling power modules to dissipate heat efficiently, thus optimizing their performance and reliability. Just as important, this breakthrough performance was achieved while maintaining other required characteristics of the materials, such as very high stiffness, lightweight, and a coefficient of thermal expansion that is extremely well matched to power electronics device substrates based on silicon or silicon carbide, ensuring excellent thermal contact.

“We believe that this is the best reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramic commercially available on the market, with at least 25% greater thermal conductivity than any competing product, demonstrating our differentiated core competency in engineered materials innovation,” said Steve Rummel, Sr. Vice President, Engineered Materials and Laser Optics Business Unit. “We are now planning to equip a new state-of-the-art facility in Vietnam, adding to our three existing production facilities in the U.S., to expand the scale of our manufacturing capacity and market reach of our world-class engineered ceramics and metal-matrix composites, and to provide our customers with supply chain continuity in order to meet the anticipated demand.”

II-VI’s ceramic materials are part of its deep and broad value chain of products for power electronics, along with silicon carbide substrates, epitaxial wafers, and devices for a growing number of power conversion applications, including for industrial electric motors and electric vehicles, as well as for smart and renewable energy grids, microgrids, and storage farms.

II-VI’s broad portfolio of reaction-bonded ceramics and metal-matrix composites enables next-generation semiconductor equipment, including extreme-ultraviolet lithography and related back-end-of-line processing and metrology systems. The combined light weight and strength of II-VI’s materials enable reliable performance in structural, optical, and thermal applications.

About II-VI Incorporated

II-VI Incorporated, a global leader in engineered materials and optoelectronic components, is a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in communications, materials processing, aerospace & defense, semiconductor capital equipment, life sciences, consumer electronics, and automotive markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, the Company has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. The Company produces a wide variety of application-specific photonic and electronic materials and components, and deploys them in various forms, including integrated with advanced software to support our customers. For more information, please visit us at www.ii-vi.com.

CONTACT:

Mark Lourie Vice President, Corporate Communications corporate.communications@ii-vi.com www.ii-vi.com/contact-us

FAQ

What new product did II-VI introduce recently?

II-VI introduced a new grade of reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramic with a thermal conductivity of 255 W/(m-K).

How does II-VI's new ceramic compare to competitors?

It offers at least 25% greater thermal conductivity than any competing product.

Where is II-VI expanding its manufacturing facilities?

II-VI is planning to equip a new facility in Vietnam to enhance production capacity.

Why is the new ceramic significant for power electronics?

It optimizes performance and reliability by efficiently dissipating heat in power modules.