Review of Thermal Packaging Technologies for Automotive Power Electronics for Traction Purposes

Due to its superior electrical and thermal characteristics, silicon carbide power modules will soon replace silicon modules to be mass-produced and implemented in all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs). Redesign of the power modules will be required to take full advantage of these newer devices. A particular area of interest is high-temperature power modules, as under-hood temperatures often exceed maximum silicon device temperatures. This review will examine thermal packaging options for standard Si power modules and various power modules in recent all-electric and HEVs. Then, thermal packaging options for die-attach, thermal interface materials (TIM), and liquid cooling are discussed for their feasibility in next-generation silicon carbide (SiC) power modules.