TWI Frequently asked questions
by Jason Howlett
High and low temperatures are relative terms. For electronics, traditional silicon-based devices are generally limited to temperatures below 125°C for reliable operation. High temperature electronics may then be considered to be electronic devices and packaging in which operating temperatures are beyond this standard temperature.
See the table below for a relative comparison of semiconductor technology temperature tolerances. High temperature applications can be found in 'Where are high temperature electronics used?'
| Material | Tech maturity | Temp tolerance (°C) |
|---|
| Silicon (Si) | Very high | 125-250 |
| Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) | Medium | 250-300 |
| Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) | High | 350 |
| Gallium Nitride (GaN) | Very low | >500 |
| Silicon Carbide (SiC) | Low | >750 |
| Diamond | Very low | >800 |
