Graphite-based solutions for power electronics

Aluminium graphite in power electronics - proven to be more durable than standard materials such as copper or aluminium

Power modules, microelectronics, optoelectronics, and semiconductor manufacturing place high demands on thermal management materials: They must dissipate heat quickly, exhibit thermal behavior similar to that of the surrounding semiconductor materials, and be as lightweight as possible. Conventional solutions made of copper or aluminium only partially meet these requirements. Aluminium graphite from Schunk Carbon Technology outperforms them in all key areas—with proven results from comparative studies. 

The problem—thermomechanical stresses destroy joints 

In power electronics, semiconductor chips, substrates, and housings are connected to one another via solder or bonding joints. Every temperature change during operation generates mechanical stresses because the different materials expand at different rates. Copper base plates with a coefficient of thermal expansion of 17 × 10⁻⁶/K expand considerably more than ceramic substrates or semiconductor materials. The result is thermal fatigue—stresses that build up with each load cycle and ultimately lead to delamination of the solder joint. 
This is not a theoretical risk. In a comparative study of thermal shock behavior (-40 °C to +125 °C), copper base plates showed significant delamination damage after just 1,000 cycles. Aluminium-Graphite base plates from Schunk Carbon Technology showed no damage whatsoever even after 2,000 cycles. 

The solution—Aluminium graphite with a matched CTE

Aluminium graphite (ALG) is a metal matrix composite whose coefficient of thermal expansion is precisely matched to the surrounding semiconductor materials and substrates. It combines high thermal conductivity with low density—two properties that copper and other conventional heat sink materials do not offer in this combination. 
The key advantage over copper: Aluminium Graphite transfers heat faster and distributes it more evenly—while weighing significantly less and having a CTE that matches the adjacent materials rather than working against them. 

Fields of application

Where aluminium graphite is the superior choice

Power Electronics

Base plates, heat sinks, interposers, and inlays for power modules in inverters, frequency converters, and drive systems. Aluminium Graphite protects the solder joints between the chip and the substrate over thousands of thermal load cycles—demonstrably better than copper. 

Micro- & Optoelectronics

Heat spreaders, housings, and submounts for RF power packages, laser assemblies, and high-frequency electromagnetic applications. Many of these packages suffer from thermally induced stresses that arise both during assembly and in operation. Aluminium graphite eliminates these stresses thanks to its matched CTE. 

Semiconductor Back-End Processing

Soldering fixtures, carriers, and fixture sets for semiconductor assembly—from lead frame attach to die attach to substrate attach. Unlike graphite jigs, aluminium graphite fixtures are mechanically more robust, and can withstand significantly more soldering and sintering cycles. 

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Brochure: Driven by Imagination

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Brochure: Aluminium Graphite Composites

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Brochure: Latent Heat Carbon

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Brochure: Material Selection Guide
Brochure: Material Selection Guide

Material selection guide for toolings: aluminium graphite

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Your benefits with Aluminium Graphite from Schunk Carbon Technology

  • Proven to show no delamination after 2,000 thermal shock cycles (-40 °C to +125 °C)—compared to copper, which fails after 1,000 cycles 
  • CTE well-matched to semiconductor materials and ceramic substrates—minimal thermomechanical stresses 
  • High thermal conductivity for fast, uniform heat distribution 
  • Significantly lighter than copper, CuW, or CuMo—crucial for weight-critical applications 
  • Various material grades for different requirements—from isotropic to anisotropic variants 
  • Design engineering service from Schunk: Support from concept to series production 
  • Schunk controls the entire supply chain from raw material to finished product 
Any questions?

Let us advise you

Interested in Schunk’s solutions for power electronics and sensor technology? We’ll support you from the very beginning! 

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Aluminium Graphite

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Aluminum graphite has a wide range of applications—see for yourself

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