Black Alumina Ceramic Substrates for Electronic Packaging and Modules

This black alumina ceramic substrate is produced via tape casting, resulting in a dense, non-porous material with high mechanical strength. It serves as a foundational component for multi-layer ceramic circuits and electronic packaging.

Catalog No. AT-AO-J001
Material ≥96% Al2O3
Dielectric Strength ≥15 kV/mm
Dimensions Tolerance ±0.1mm
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Black Alumina Substrate is a specialized flat sheet or plate made from aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) ceramic that has been colored black during its manufacturing process. Its primary purpose is to serve as a foundational component in electronic devices, where it simultaneously provides electrical insulation, thermal conductivity (to dissipate heat), and light absorption (to protect sensitive components).

Black Alumina Ceramic Substrate Advantages

  • Light-Absorbing Surface: The inherent black color provides opacity, shielding light-sensitive components from stray light interference. This function is critical for preventing signal noise in optical sensors and photodiode packages.
  • High Electrical Insulation: A low dielectric constant and high dielectric strength prevent electrical leakage and short-circuiting in high-density, high-voltage power modules.
  • Superior Thermal Stability: The material's high thermal conductivity (up to 29 W/m·K) efficiently dissipates heat from active components like IGBTs and laser diodes, preventing thermal failure and extending device lifespan.
  • Dimensional Precision: Manufactured with a low coefficient of thermal expansion and minimal warpage, the substrate maintains its flatness and form during thermal cycling. This dimensional stability is essential for automated assembly and ensures consistent bond-line thickness.

 

Black Alumina Substrate Properties

Property Unit 99.5% Al₂O₃ 99.6% Al₂O₃ 99.7% Al₂O₃ 99.8% Al₂O₃ 99.9% Al₂O₃ 99.99% Al₂O₃
Alumina content % 99.5 99.6 99.7 99.8 99.9 99.99
Density g/cm³ 3.89 3.91 3.92 3.93 3.94 3.98
Open porosity % 0
Color Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory Ivory
Water absorption % 0 0 0 0 0
Young’s modulus (Elastic modulus) GPa 375 356 357 358 359 362
Shear modulus GPa 152
Bulk modulus GPa 228
Poisson’s ratio 0.22
Compressive strength MPa 2600 2552 2554 2556 2558 2570
Flexural strength MPa 379 312 313 314 315 320
Fracture toughness MPa·m¹ᐟ² 4
Hardness GPa 14.1 (≈1440 kg/mm²) 23 24 25 26 30
Thermal conductivity W/m·K 35 32–37 33–38 34–39 35–40 36–42
Thermal shock resistance ΔT °C 222 223 224 225 228
Maximum use temperature (no load) °C ≤1750 1755 1760 1765 1770 1800
Coefficient of thermal expansion 10⁻⁶/°C 8.4
Specific heat J/kg·K 880
Volume resistivity Ω·cm >1×10¹⁴ >1×10¹⁴ >1×10¹⁴ >1×10¹⁴ >1×10¹⁴ >1×10¹⁴
Dielectric constant (relative permittivity) 9.8 9.83 9.84 9.85 9.86 9.92
Dielectric strength kV/mm 16.9 23.2 23.4 23.6 23.8 24
Dissipation factor (loss factor @ 1 kHz) 0.0002

 

Black Alumina Ceramic Substrate Specifications

Model Length x Width Thickness Aluminum Oxide Content (%)
AT-AO-J001 1-100 0.3-10 95/99

 

Black Alumina Ceramic Substrate Packaging

  • Keep substrates in their original, sealed anti-static packaging until they are ready for the assembly line.

Black Alumina Ceramic Substrate Packaging

 

Black Alumina Ceramic Substrate Applications

  • Power Electronics Modules

    ✅ Key Advantages

    1. Provides a high thermal conductivity of 24 W/m·K, efficiently managing heat in high-power IGBTs.
    2. Ensures electrical safety with a high dielectric strength of >15 kV/mm, preventing voltage arcing.
    3. Maintains a low warpage (<0.3mm) during thermal cycling, ensuring assembly precision and reliability.

    ✅ Problem Solved

    A German automotive supplier developing an EV inverter module faced overheating issues and a 15% assembly failure rate due to substrate warpage. By implementing our 0.635mm thick black alumina substrate, they improved thermal dissipation, and the substrate's dimensional stability reduced solder joint voids. This change eliminated thermal throttling under load and decreased their final assembly rejection rate to below 2%, saving an estimated €3 per unit in rework costs.

  • Optoelectronics and Optical Sensors

    ✅ Key Advantages

    1. Delivers superior light-blocking with >99% opacity, preventing stray light from creating signal noise.
    2. Offers a polished surface with roughness <0.1μm Ra, providing an ideal base for sensor mounting.
    3. Guarantees signal integrity through a high volume resistivity of >10¹⁴ Ω·cm, isolating sensitive circuits.

    ✅ Problem Solved

    A US-based manufacturer of ambient light sensors was experiencing inconsistent readings in their products, traced back to light leakage through their previous ceramic package. Switching to our opaque black alumina substrate for the sensor housing completely resolved the issue. The material's light-absorbing properties improved the sensor's signal-to-noise ratio by 30%, allowing them to market their product for high-precision applications and secure a new contract for medical diagnostic equipment.

  • Hybrid Integrated Circuits (HICs)

    ✅ Key Advantages

    1. Enables high-density layouts with precise, laser-scribed circuit paths and CNC-drilled vias (±0.05mm).
    2. Provides a stable foundation for thick-film printing due to a low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE).
    3. Its black surface simplifies automated optical inspection (AOI) by creating high contrast for circuits.

    ✅ Problem Solved

    A producer of custom HICs for aerospace applications struggled with component drift and inspection errors. The black surface of our alumina substrate enhanced the contrast for their AOI systems, reducing false positives by 25% and manual inspection time by 40%. Furthermore, the substrate's stable CTE minimized stress on the printed resistors during temperature fluctuations, leading to a 50% improvement in the circuit's long-term signal stability and passing rigorous aerospace certification tests.

 

Black Alumina Ceramic Substrate Usage Instructions

Proper handling, installation, and maintenance are critical for the performance and longevity of black alumina substrates. Following this guide will prevent damage and ensure optimal results in your application.
  • Handling

    1. Use Gloves: Always handle substrates with powder-free nitrile gloves. Oils and salts from fingerprints can contaminate the surface, negatively impacting adhesion during metallization or bonding.
    2. Edge Handling: Hold substrates by their edges to minimize contact with the primary surfaces.
    3. Avoid Stacking: Never stack substrates directly on top of one another without protective separators, as this can cause micro-scratches on the polished or as-fired surfaces.

  • Installation

    1. Mechanical Stress: Use calibrated equipment for pick-and-place operations. Avoid excessive mechanical clamping pressure, shock, or vibration, as alumina is a hard but brittle material that can fracture under sharp impact.
    2. Thermal Mounting: When soldering or brazing components, use a controlled reflow profile. A pre-heating step is recommended to minimize the temperature gradient across the substrate and prevent thermal shock.
    3. Alignment: Utilize jigs and fixtures designed to hold the substrate securely without applying point stress. Ensure alignment is correct before applying final pressure or heat.

  •  Storage

    Environment: Store substrates in a clean, dry environment with a relative humidity below 60%.

  •  Usage

    1. Operating Temperature: Do not exceed the material's maximum specified operating temperature (typically ~1500°C for 96% alumina), although most electronic applications operate far below this limit.
    2. Chemical Compatibility: While alumina is highly resistant to most chemicals, avoid prolonged exposure to strong hydrofluoric acid or hot phosphoric acid, which can etch the ceramic surface.

  • Cleaning

    1. Standard Procedure: For removing organic contaminants or dust before use, wipe the surface gently with a lint-free cloth dampened with high-purity (>99%) isopropyl alcohol (IPA).
    2. Ultrasonic Cleaning: If a deeper clean is required, an ultrasonic bath with deionized water or a suitable solvent can be used. Ensure the cycle time and power are appropriate to avoid causing micro-cracks. Always thoroughly dry the substrate in a clean oven after cleaning.

  • Common Errors and Solutions

    Error 1: Poor Metallization Adhesion.Cause: Surface contamination from improper handling or inadequate cleaning.
    Solution: Re-clean the substrate surface using the specified IPA wipe or ultrasonic cleaning procedure before the metallization step. Ensure all personnel wear gloves.

    Error 2: Substrate Cracking During Assembly.Cause: Concentrated mechanical stress from tooling or significant thermal shock from rapid, uneven heating.
    Solution: Check assembly tooling for sharp contact points and add protective padding if necessary. Modify your heating profile to include a slower ramp-up rate or a pre-heating stage.

    Error 3: Inconsistent Device Performance.Cause: Micro-scratches on the substrate surface affecting the uniformity of thin-film layers or circuits.
    Solution: Review handling and storage procedures. Ensure substrates are not stacked and are kept in individual slots within their packaging until use.

Black Alumina Ceramic Substrate FAQ

  1. Q: Can I customize the dimensions of the alumina ceramic substrate?
    A: Yes, we offer custom sizes based on your specifications. Tolerances as low as ±0.1mm are available.
  2. Q: What industries use alumina ceramic substrates?
    A: Common industries include electronics, LED manufacturing, sensor packaging, and high-temperature industrial applications.
  3. Q: What is the dielectric strength of the alumina ceramic substrate?
    A: The dielectric strength is ≥15 kV/mm, ensuring excellent electrical insulation.
  4. Q: Are your alumina ceramic substrates resistant to corrosion?
    A: Yes, our substrates are designed to be highly resistant to corrosion, making them suitable for harsh environments.
  5. Q: What is the maximum operating temperature for a black alumina substrate?
    A: The maximum use temperature for a 96% black alumina substrate is typically around 1500°C in an air atmosphere, well above the operating conditions of most electronic devices.
  6. Q: How does the black color affect the thermal conductivity compared to white alumina? The black color is achieved by adding specific oxides (e.g., manganese oxide) to the alumina powder. This has a minor effect, but the thermal conductivity of our A: black alumina remains high and is specified on our data sheets (e.g., 20-24 W/m·K for 96% Al2O3).
  7. Q: What surface roughness (Ra) can you achieve?
    A: Our standard as-fired surface has a roughness of Ra 0.4~0.8 μm. Through lapping and polishing, we can achieve a mirror-finish surface with a roughness of Ra < 0.1 μm for applications requiring extremely smooth surfaces.

 Customer Testimonials about Black Alumina Ceramic Substrate

  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    "The dimensional stability of these black alumina substrates is exceptional. We were able to reduce our automated assembly rejection rate by 15% due to the low warpage. The thermal performance is exactly as specified on their data sheet."
    -- Klaus Richter, Senior Engineer, Richter Power Systems GmbH
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    "We required a substrate with near-perfect opacity for our new line of CMOS image sensors. The light absorption of this black alumina completely eliminated the stray light issues we had with previous materials, improving our sensor's signal-to-noise ratio significantly."
    -- Dr. Sarah Jenkins, Head of R&D, Opti-Solutions Inc.
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    "The engineering support was invaluable. They reviewed our initial drawing and suggested a modification to the via placement that improved manufacturability and reduced our cost per piece. The communication was professional and the prototypes were delivered on schedule."
    -- David Chen, Product Manager, Aero-Circuit Technologies
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    "The batch-to-batch consistency is what sets this supplier apart. We order thousands of these substrates quarterly for our hybrid circuits, and the electrical and mechanical properties consistently meet our tight specifications. This reliability is critical for our production line."
    -- Maria Garcia, Purchasing Manager, Integra Microelectronics
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Customized Manufacturing of Black Alumina Substrates

We manufacture black alumina substrates to your exact engineering specifications. Our process, refined over 20 years, allows for precise control over the final product’s geometry and properties. What You Can Specify:
  • Material Purity: 96% Alumina or 99.6% High-Purity Alumina.
  • Dimensions: Custom length and width with tolerances as tight as ±0.05mm.
  • Thickness: Specify thickness from 0.25mm to 2.0mm.
  • Features: CNC-drilled vias, laser-scribed lines, and complex outer contours based on your CAD files.
  • Surface Finish: As-fired, lapped, or polished surfaces to meet specific roughness (Ra) requirements for metallization.

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