MacDermid Alpha Collaborates with STMicroelectronics to Improve Performance of EV Inverter Assemblies

Sinter technology is changing EV inverter assembly with pressure sintering providing a significantly lower thermal resistance, superior power cycling and mechanical reliability over conventional techniques. ST is offering its STPAK™ package for automotive traction inverters for assembly directly onto the heatsinks through sintering using ALPHA® Argomax® silver sinter paste. The ALPHA Argomax sinter paste, formulated using highly engineered silver particles, has been specially developed for low-pressure sinter die and package attachment. The paste creates a strong attachment through silver metallic bonds, offering physical strength, unsurpassed electrical conductivity and optimal thermal properties resulting in long-term reliability improvement.

“The collaboration between ST and MacDermid Alpha to develop and refine advanced sintering technology has been extremely effective in producing the perfect combination – STPAK package sintered with ALPHA Argomax“, said Edoardo Merli, Power Transistor Macro-Division General Manager and Group Vice President of STMicroelectronics Automotive and Discrete Group.

OEMs manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) confirmed that the latest drivetrain with sinter technology resulted in 10% improvement in driving range with an overall inverter efficiency of 93%.

“This unique attach process provides an unparalleled level of flexibility, reducing the overall number of power discretes needed and enabling significant cost savings “, said Julien Joguet, Director of Marketing – Power Electronics at MacDermid Alpha. “ALPHA Argomax sinter package and die attach technology, which has already been deployed in more than 2 million electric vehicles, enables manufacturers to produce efficient and reliable electric vehicle powertrains, a key factor in the wider adoption of electric vehicles “