H2S causes short circuits in IGBTs operating at high temperatures
Infineon's H2S protection technology blocks H2S in modules.
Guaranteed 20 years of operation at ISA 71.04 harsh conditions


Exposure of electronic components to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) reduces their lifespan.

On the 2nd, Infineon announced H2S protection technology that extends the life of IGBT modules operating in harsh environments where H2S reaches critical levels, such as the rubber, petrochemical, paper, mining, and wastewater industries. The company also unveiled the EconoPACK+ module, featuring the TRENCHSTOP IGBT4 chipset, the first product to utilize this technology.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the most damaging corrosive contaminant to power semiconductors. IGBT modules are often heated to high temperatures during operation, which, combined with applied voltage and H2S contamination, triggers the growth of copper sulfide (Cu2S) crystals. These conductive structures grow in the DCB trenches of the ceramic substrate, potentially causing short circuits in the worst-case scenario. This can lead to premature failure of the IGBT module, significantly shortening the inverter's lifespan.

Infineon's H2S protection technology prevents hydrogen sulfide from entering the module. All electrical, thermal, and mechanical parameters of the module remain unchanged, maintaining the same characteristics as standard modules. Therefore, the life of systems operating under harsh environmental conditions can be extended.

To ensure this, Infineon has designed a proprietary HV-H2S test that certifies the operation of IGBT modules under specific conditions according to the ISA 71.04-2013 standard. This standard defines four severity levels for contamination effects, from "mild" (G1) to "severe" (GX). This test covers a wide range of industrial applications and provides a quantitative approach to assessing the reliability of IGBT modules.

IGBT modules protected with Infineon's H2S technology can expect a service life of 20 years at the upper limit of the "harsh" (G3) severity level (≤ 2000 A/50 ppb) according to ISA 71.04. The EconoPACK+, with its integrated protection features, simply replaces standard modules, eliminating the need for time-consuming design work. Furthermore, inverter system integrators do not need extended protection measures, such as additional room ventilation, temperature and humidity control, or even a sealed cabinet for the inverter.

EconoPACK+ with integrated H2S protection is available in bulk quantities in 300A and 450A versions for 1200V and 300A and 500A versions for 1700V.