SiC Component Selection Checklist for Automotive-Grade Applications

Silicon Carbide (SiC) is widely used in EV power electronics, onboard chargers, DC-DC converters, and advanced automotive systems due to its high thermal stability, electrical insulation, and mechanical strength.
However, not all SiC components meet automotive-grade reliability requirements.

This checklist provides a complete and practical guide for engineers when selecting SiC components for automotive applications.

Performance Requirements Checklist

1.1 Thermal Performance

Thermal conductivity ≥ 120 W/m·K
Maximum operating temperature ≥ 600°C
CTE compatibility with SiC/GaN dies and metal substrates
Availability of thermal simulation data (Rth, ΔT mapping)

1.2 Electrical Performance

Dielectric strength ≥ 20 kV/mm
Stable dielectric constant from −55°C to 200°C
Low dielectric loss for high-frequency applications
Surface resistivity ≥ 10¹² Ω

Suitable for SiC baseplates, insulation parts, heat spreaders, and electronic modules.

Mechanical Requirements Checklist

2.1 Strength and Reliability

Compressive strength ≥ 600 MPa
Flexural strength ≥ 400 MPa
Microhardness ≥ 22 GPa
Proven fatigue resistance (MIL / AEC-Q standards)

2.2 Dimensional Precision

Typical automotive-grade tolerances:

Flatness ≤ 0.002 mm
Concentricity ≤ 0.005 mm
Hole tolerance ±0.01 mm
Surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.02–0.05 μm

Environmental & Reliability Checklist

3.1 Compliance with Automotive Standards

AEC-Q101 / AEC-Q102
ISO 16750 (environmental reliability)
APQP / PPAP documentation

3.2 Required Reliability Tests

High-temperature operating life (HTOL ≥ 1000 hrs)
Temperature cycling (−55°C to 150°C, ≥1000 cycles)
HAST testing
85°C / 85% RH humidity test
Vibration and mechanical shock tests

Typical Automotive Applications

5.1 EV Power Electronics

Inverter SiC modules
SiC MOSFET baseplates
High-voltage insulation components

5.2 OBC and DC-DC Converters

High-thermal-conductivity substrates
Precision insulation spacers

5.3 Sensors and ADAS Systems

SiC optical platforms
High-stability structural parts
Precision rings and alignment components

5.4 Battery and Energy Systems

Insulation and thermal management components
High-strength mounting parts

SiC Component Supplier

Jundro Ceramics appears to be a supplier that can provide the following services:

ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 certification
Automotive project experience
Fast prototyping (1–2 weeks)
In-house reliability testing
High batch consistency
Customized SiC machining and complex geometries

Suppliers with experience in SiC, quartz, alumina, AlN, and Zerodur can provide better multi-material integration for automotive power modules.