CeramTec continues to expand its product portfolio. The ceramics expert is focussing on close cooperation with its customers during development. CeramTec is thus further expanding its role as an innovation Partner.
CeramTec, Europe’s one-stop shop for high-quality ceramic substrates and coolers in power electronics, stands for reliability, flexibility and proximity to the market. Thanks to production in Europe, the ceramics expert not only ensures a stable supply chain but also guarantees consistently high quality – a decisive advantage in an environment characterised by technological change and growing demand.
Increasing electrification and rapid developments in the field of power electronics require ever more powerful and efficient components. „We don’t see ourselves as a developer offering ready-made solutions. As a sparring partner, we work with our customers to develop customised products. This direct dialogue enables us to tailor our products optimally to market requirements,“ says Hans Ulrich Voeller, Senior Product Manager Substrates at CeramTec.
„One example of individual components is our new substrate Rubalit® 798 with an aluminum oxide content of 98%. We developed this specifically for a pilot customer in the high-performance resistor sector, who uses it, for example, in the 5G and 6G range for mobile phone networks,“ explains Voeller. Rubalit® 798 impresses with its high strength, high dielectric strength , improved thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, dielectric constant and low dielectric loss factor. The substrate is ideally suited for the high-frequency range. It was presented for the first time at the PCIM Expo 2025 in Nuremberg.
Measuring systems prove top quality
To meet the growing demands placed on ceramic substrates in power electronics, CeramTec relies on its own high-precision testing systems. „Our customers are increasingly demanding concrete facts and figures that prove the quality of our products. We responded to this at an early stage,“ says Hans Ulrich Voeller. Among other things, the ceramics expert uses automated optical inspection (AOI) and Minimum Withstand Voltage Tests (MWVTT) to ensure that every substrate meets the highest quality standards. CeramTec is continuously developing new processes to detect even the smallest defects at an early stage, going beyond the standard industry testing methods.
Improved specifications across the entire substrate portfolio
Further development does not end with the testing systems: CeramTec is also optimising the technical properties of its substrate portfolio, including Al2O3, ZTA, AlN HP and Si3N4, as part of a comprehensive quality initiative. The results: higher density, increased flexural strength, optimised dielectric properties and better heat dissipation. Lower tolerances and reduced deformation also ensure greater process reliability during further processing. Detailed values and technical data can be found in the current data sheets.
CeramTec will be providing insights into its testing systems at PCIM Asia 2025 from 24-26 September in Shanghai (Hall N5, Stand B42) and will be presenting the new Rubalit® 798 substrate, among other things.
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Three questions on product development strategy to Hans Ulrich Voeller, Senior Product Manager Substrates at CeramTec
1) What challenges do you currently see in the development of ceramic substrates for power electronics?
The biggest challenge is certainly the combination of performance and reliability, especially in the high-frequency range. Our customers expect materials that remain stable in the long term, even under extreme conditions. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to develop more efficient production processes in order to keep costs in check. We therefore rely on close cooperation with our customers to identify their specific requirements at an early stage and implement them in a targeted manner. In this way, we ensure that our substrates also fulfil future market requirements. Customer feedback is the basis for sustainable market success.
2) How do customers actually benefit from the innovative test methods?
Our test methods not only provide reliable proof of quality but also create trust – both with our customers and their end customers. In safety-critical applications, it is crucial that product quality is documented transparently. With automated optical inspection (AOI), we detect even the smallest defects and thus minimise the risk of failures. Our customers can rest assured that the components supplied meet the highest standards.
3) How do you see the future of high-performance ceramics in power electronics?
The demand for high-performance ceramics is growing steadily, especially in the context of the energy transition and increasing electrification in industry and mobility. The market demands materials that are not only powerful, but also extremely reliable and durable. In my view, customised solutions are the key factor for successful electrification and the energy transition.
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