Silicon Carbide(SiC) - The Future of Automotive Power Modules

Silicon Carbide (SiC) boasts a bandgap width approximately three times that of silicon-based materials, a critical breakdown field strength about ten times higher, and a thermal conductivity roughly three times greater. Its electron saturation drift velocity is also about twice that of silicon-based materials. These properties endow SiC with the ability to withstand high voltage, high temperature, and high frequency, allowing it to be used in more demanding conditions compared to silicon-based devices. This results in significantly improved efficiency and power density, as well as reduced costs, size, and weight at the application level.

According to Yole's data, from 2021 to 2027, the global market size for SiC power devices is expected to grow from $1.09 billion to $6.297 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34%. Within this, the market size for electric vehicle (EV) SiC is projected to increase from $685 million to $4.986 billion, with an even more impressive CAGR of 39.2%. EVs, which include inverters, onboard chargers (OBC), and DC/DC converters, are the largest downstream application for SiC, with their market share expected to rise from 62.8% to 79.2%, continuing to climb.In the EV industry, driving range is the most critical concern. Factors affecting driving range include battery capacity, vehicle weight, and the efficiency of the electric power system's energy conversion. Power semiconductors are central to this conversion process. SiC power devices offer advantages such as lower conduction losses, higher switching frequencies, and higher operating voltages compared to silicon-based devices, leading to higher system energy conversion efficiency. This means that with the same battery capacity, vehicles using SiC power devices can achieve greater range than those using silicon-based power devices. Therefore, the demand for SiC power devices in EVs is becoming increasingly prominent. In EVs, SiC power devices are primarily used in two directions: one for motor drive inverters (motor controllers), and the other for onboard power systems, including power conversion systems (onboard DC/DC), onboard charging systems (OBC), and onboard air conditioning systems (PTC and compressors).Currently, the global SiC industry is dominated by a tripartite stand-off between the United States, Europe, and Japan. Over 70% of SiC materials come from U.S. companies, Europe has a complete SiC substrate, epitaxy, device, and application industry chain, and Japan leads in SiC chip, module, and application development. China now has a complete SiC industry chain and is competitive in material preparation and packaging applications. Although the leading companies are currently foreign, domestic companies have not yet gained significant market share. However, in the new energy vehicle sector, China's leadership in vehicle electrification is providing a boost for domestic semiconductor companies.Now, global SiC companies are actively exploring the automotive market, with main applications including power discrete devices and power modules. The excellent characteristics of SiC chips need to be combined with efficient and reliable power connections through packaging and circuit systems to be fully realized. Professionally designed and manufactured SiC mosfet power modules, using advanced packaging processes, are currently the mainstream trend in EV applications.