Silicon (Semiconductor Grade)
Ultra-high purity silicon used as the base substrate for integrated circuits, microcontrollers, and power semiconductors in automotive electronics.
Overview
Semiconductor-grade silicon (purity >99.9999999%, '9N') is produced from metallurgical silicon via the Siemens or FBR process and grown into single-crystal ingots (Czochralski method) for wafer production. Silicon wafers are the foundation of virtually all automotive electronics: microcontrollers (ECUs), power management ICs, MOSFET switches, IGBTs in hybrid inverters, and MEMS sensors (accelerometers, pressure sensors). As vehicles become increasingly electrified and autonomous, silicon content per vehicle is rising sharply — from ~$300–400 per vehicle (ICE) to over $1,000 per vehicle (full EV). Silicon is also the primary anode material in next-generation lithium-ion batteries.
Automotive Applications
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Properties
Category
Type
Semiconductor Material
Available Colors
Available Forms
Key Properties
- Excellent semiconductor properties
- Controlled band gap (1.1 eV)
- Well-established manufacturing ecosystem
- MEMS-compatible
- High purity achievable
- Good thermal conductivity
Technical Specifications
Density
2.33 g/cm³
Temperature Resistance
Junction temperatures up to 175°C (standard automotive grade)
Sustainability
Sustainability Rating
Silicon wafer production is energy-intensive but silicon is abundant. Semiconductor silicon offcuts and waste are recycled back into the production chain.