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Silicon Nitride is one of the hardest materials on the planet, coping with cyclic thermal applications while maintaining high strength but more importantly it is also extremely versatile. Matt Mullet, Technical Sales Executive, discusses it’s uses.

The unique characteristics of Silicon Nitride have led it to be used more frequently in the semiconductor market. This can be attributed to the compatibility of both Silicon Nitride and Silicon with regards contamination and thermal expansion.

One area in particular which is gaining more interest in the use of Silicon Nitride in the manufacture of probe cards. A probe card is an interface between an electronic test system and a semiconductor wafer. Its purpose is to provide an electrical path between the test system and the circuits on the wafer. The circuits are mounted onto a very thin sheet of Silicon Nitride, which has been laser cut to the desired shape.

Silicon Nitride also suits this application due to its ability to maintain strength even when manufactured to the small sizes this industry requires. MTC can supply sheets of Silicon Nitride to a range of sizes with the ability to finish the sheet to a polished or ground finish under 250micron thick.