New Electronics – Showa Denko Begins Mass Production of 6-inch SiC Single Crystal Wafers

These materials are used for epitaxial SiC wafers which are then processed and installed in SiC-based power semiconductors (SiC power semiconductors).

SiC power semiconductors have strong heat resistance properties and can withstand high voltages much more efficiently than conventional silicon-based power semiconductors. SiC power semiconductors support improving energy efficiency and downsizing of power modules.

As a result, the demand for SiC power semiconductors is increasing rapidly in various fields, especially those for xEVs, railways, and industrial equipment.

SDK holds the largest global market share and provides electrical device manufacturers with SiC epitaxial wafers.

The company said it has shifted to in-house production of SiC wafers, which are used as the main material for epitaxial SiC wafers, in an effort to improve the quality of its own epitaxial SiC wafers and has worked to establish a stable supply system. .

The decision to initiate in-house mass production of 6-inch SiC wafers was made in response to customers adopting SDK’s epitaxial SiC wafers fabricated from its in-house 6-inch SiC wafers. SDK, however, said it will continue to purchase SiC wafers from its partners to meet the growing demand for epitaxial SiC wafers for power semiconductors.

The company added that it was looking to diversify sources of SiC wafers, establishing a more stable supply chain for epitaxial SiC wafers.