Silane | Metro Welding Supply Corp.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

Silane gas (SiH4) is a colorless, flammable, and highly reactive gas composed of silicon and hydrogen atoms. It is widely used in various industrial applications due to its unique properties and versatility. Silane gas is known for its high reactivity with a wide range of materials, making it a crucial component in semiconductor manufacturing and other cutting-edge technologies. One rapidly advancing market segment Silane is being utilized in is the production of solar cells,  as it enables the deposition of thin films with excellent electronic properties, which are critical for enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic devices.

10 KEY CHARACTERISTICS

1. Chemical Composition: Silane gas is composed of one silicon (Si) atom and four hydrogen (H) atoms, with the chemical formula SiH4.
2. Reactivity: Silane is highly reactive due to the presence of silicon-hydrogen bonds. It readily reacts with a wide range of materials, making it a valuable precursor in various industrial processes.
3. Flammability: Silane is flammable and can ignite in the presence of air or oxygen. Proper safety measures and handling procedures are crucial when working with Silane gas.
4. Color and Odor: Silane gas is typically colorless and odorless. Its lack of a strong odor makes it important to have proper detection equipment in place to ensure safety.
5. Density: Silane is denser than air, which means it tends to sink and accumulate in low-lying areas. This characteristic should be taken into account when designing storage and handling systems.
6. Boiling and Melting Points: Silane has a boiling point of approximately -112°C 313-450-9300°F) and a melting point of approximately -185°C (-301°F).
7. Solubility: Silane is insoluble in water, which affects its behavior in various applications, particularly in aqueous environments.
8. Stability: Silane is generally stable under normal conditions but can decompose when exposed to heat, light, or certain catalysts. This decomposition can release hydrogen gas, which is a potential safety concern.
9. Applications: Silane gas is widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, photovoltaic cell production, and in the synthesis of various silicon-containing compounds. It is also used in coatings, optoelectronics, and chemical processes.
10. Purity and Impurities: The purity of Silane gas is a critical factor, especially in industries like semiconductor manufacturing where even trace impurities can affect the quality of the final product. High-purity grades are typically required for most applications.

10 COMMON USES

1. Semiconductor Manufacturing: Silane is a crucial precursor gas in the production of integrated circuits, microchips, and other semiconductor devices. It is used in processes like chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) to deposit thin silicon-containing films onto substrates.
2. Photovoltaic Cells (Solar Panels): Silane is used in the production of photovoltaic cells to deposit thin films with excellent electronic properties. This helps enhance the efficiency of solar energy conversion.
3. Flat Panel Displays: Silane is employed in the production of flat panel displays, including LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) and OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diodes).
4. Optoelectronic Devices: Silane gas is used in the fabrication of optoelectronic components such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, and photodetectors.
5. Thin Film Coatings: Silane is utilized in various coating processes to modify the surface properties of materials. This can include enhancing adhesion, corrosion resistance, and barrier properties.
6. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): Silane is a key precursor gas in the CVD process for depositing thin films of silicon-containing materials onto substrates. This is widely used in semiconductor and thin-film technology.
7. Silicon Nanowire Synthesis: Silane is used in the production of silicon nanowires, which have applications in nanotechnology and electronics.
8. Chemical Synthesis: Silane is employed as a reagent in various chemical reactions to introduce silicon into organic molecules, enabling the synthesis of a wide range of silicon-containing compounds.
9. Gas Sensing Technology: Silane gas sensors are used for safety applications to detect the presence of silane in the environment. This is particularly important in industries where Silane gas is used.
10. Research and Development: Silane gas is utilized in laboratories and research facilities for experimentation, particularly in areas related to material science, nanotechnology, and electronics.