Infineon Extends Life Time of IHM-B Modules: High Power Semiconductors Now Last Up to 11 Times Longer

Customers therefore benefit from the greater robustness and reliability of the IHM product family with very low development work or expenses. Another differentiation feature for customers: In spite of the considerable product improvements, the sale price has been kept at the same level. The new IHM-B Enhanced modules will go into volume production in August 2014.

The significantly longer life time of the IHM-B Enhanced modules is based on two central modifications. First of all, a newly implemented manufacturing technology enables more robust bond wire connections. This increases the resilience of the module components in power cycling associated with switching. The power cycling behaviour of the IHM-B Enhanced has improved by a factor of two compared to the previous model.

Secondly, the thermal conductivity of the IHM-B Enhanced is increased by the combination of an aluminium silicon carbide (AlSiC) base plate with aluminium nitride (AlN) substrates. Depending on the topology used, the thermal resistivity drops by 16 – 18 percent: For example, with a 2400 A single switch module this means an improvement from 9.3 Kelvin per kilowatt (IHM-B) to only 7.8 Kelvin per kilowatt (IHM-B Enhanced). Significantly better dissipation of heat generated during operation of the module relieves in particular components susceptible to heat, such as chips and bond wires.

"With the IHM-B Enhanced modules we are introducing a new manufacturing technology and a new substrate material. These advances have proven themselves in practical testing since the end of 2012 with challenging applications such as wind mills," says Björn-Christoph Schubart, responsible for IGBT High-Power Modules at Infineon. "We've created value by clearly prolonging service life with otherwise unchanged product properties and will continue to expand our excellent position in the High-Power Module sector. The high levels of product reliability and price stability are of particular benefit to our customers in growth markets such as transport, industrial drives and renewable energy."

Portfolio and Availability

The new IHM-B Enhanced modules are available in the topologies Single Switch, Chopper, Chopper with Inverted Diode and Dual-Diode. In the IHM product portfolio, modules of the 1700 V voltage class will be upgraded first in the range of from 800 A to 3600 A. This conversion is to be completed by August 2014.