Reclaimed Silicon for Use as Carrier Wafers

university wafer substrates

Researcher Using Reclaimed Silicon Wafers

A PhD student requested inexpensive substrates for their projects.

We need cheap silicon wafers. They will be used for process development in the university's clean room. Reclaimed wafers would be fine, but I'm not clear on whether you deal with them. Can you quote what you have?

Reference #90336 for specs and pricing.

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Reclaimed Wafers for Budget strapped Students

An engineering student requested inexpensive silicon for their research project.

I am looking for 2in Si wafers that will be used as dummies, so do not have any specs except that the thickness should be ~350um. Please send me a quote.

Thanks for the info. The price you quoted is too expensive for the purpose I will be using it for. I need 2in Si wafers to use as dummy wafers in the reactor to fill in empty spots and they will not be used for any other purpose. So, i am looking for the cheapest Si wafers that i can get. That said, i dont want wafers that shatter particles in my reactor either.

Do you have reclaimed wafers, that usually end up being cheaper.

RFQ#137142  for specs and pricing.

(110) Oriented Reclaim Silicon Wafers

An electrical engineer requested a quote for the following spec:

I need to order as soon as possible your single side polished, reclaimed wafers, 110 face. One ex co-worker email me with that information, but I’m not sure if you have more than one item with this description. So, I’d really appreciate to get the info related with this product and also having a quote a quote to order it as soon as possible.

Reference #197026 for specs and pricing.

What are Reclaimed Wafers Used for?


Reclaimed wafers are used for a variety of purposes in the semiconductor and electronics industries. Here are some common uses:

  1. Equipment Testing and Calibration: Reclaimed wafers are frequently used to test and calibrate semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This helps ensure that the expensive equipment is functioning correctly before using it on more costly prime wafers.

  2. Research and Development: In the R&D phase, engineers and scientists often use reclaimed wafers to develop and test new processes, materials, or device structures. This is a cost-effective way to conduct experiments without using new wafers.

  3. Training Purposes: They are also used for training purposes. New employees or students can practice on reclaimed wafers to hone their skills in handling and processing wafers without the risk of wasting new, more expensive wafers.

  4. Monitor Wafers: In some cases, reclaimed wafers are used as monitor wafers. They are inserted into processing lots to monitor and check the consistency and quality of the processing steps.

  5. Particle Deposition Studies: They can be used for particle deposition studies. Manufacturers may use them to study how particles deposit on a wafer's surface during various fabrication steps.

  6. Substrate for Thin Film Applications: Sometimes, reclaimed wafers serve as substrates for various thin-film applications, where the quality of the underlying wafer is not critical.

  7. Non-Semiconductor Applications: Outside the semiconductor industry, reclaimed wafers can be used in a variety of applications, such as in the formation of certain types of solar cells or as substrates in some biological and chemical experiments.

Reusing wafers in these ways not only saves costs but also aligns with sustainable practices by reducing waste.

Reclaimed Silicon Carbide Substrates

A wafer technician requested the following quote 4" reclaim SiC blanks.

We are interesting to polish SiC blanks on our own, therefore, we would like to purchase 4" reclaim SiC blanks for trial test.  We really don't know what other specifications are required.  However, please offer this reclaim blank with standard specification that you have stock on sale.  It also must be applicable for device use.

You mentioned that the unreclaimed wafers were cut from the crystal, to our understanding, it should be blank rather than unreclaimed wafer, please clarify.  Typically, the unreclaimed wafer was defined as the wafer that stopped in/after process (device or coating, etc.) by some reasons. These semi-finished/finished/scrapped products need to do the recycling process for making it as a new one wafer. These wafers were defined as reclaimed wafers. However, regarding the historical issue, some impurity, stress, or defects might be appeared in these reclaimed wafers. So, these wafers will be used as the down-grade wafers or dummy wafers.  Please reply the questions below:

  1. If the "Unreclaimed Wafers" were cut from the crystal, why you defined as "Unreclaimed Wafer" rather than "blank"?
  2. Or if something wrong in the crystal, so you called the sliced one as "Unreclaimed Wafer". What kinds of defect did you obtain from this crystal?
  3. If the defect type and counts can meet our specifications. Then we might consider to use this material for trial.

Your prompt response of the above matter will be much appreciated.

UniversityWafer, Inc. Quoted:

"Unreclaimed Wafer" in blank or polishing condition both:

  • Blank,Research grade, MPD<=50/cm2:   4” 4H, n type, 470+/-25um, as cu
  • Blank,product grade, MPD<=5/cm2:  4” 4H, n type, 470+/-25um, as cut
  • Polished Research grade, MPD<=50/cm2:   4” 4H, n type, 350+/-25um, polished wafer with epi-ready
  • Polished product grade, MPD<=5/cm2:  4” 4H, n type, 350+/-25um, polished wafer with epi-ready

Refernce #218442  for specs and pricing.

What substrates are often reclaimed and why?

Substrates often reclaimed in the semiconductor and electronics industries are primarily silicon wafers, although other types can also be reclaimed. The reasons for reclaiming these substrates are as follows:

  1. Silicon Wafers:

    • Prevalence: Silicon is the most common substrate used in semiconductor manufacturing due to its excellent semiconductor properties and abundance.
    • Cost-Effectiveness: Reclaiming silicon wafers reduces costs significantly. New silicon wafers are expensive, and reusing them can save money, especially in testing, training, and R&D.
    • Eco-Friendly: Reclaiming and reusing silicon wafers is environmentally friendly. Recycling silicon wafers not only minimizes waste, but also lessens the reliance on new ones that require a power-hungry manufacturing process.

  2. Other Semiconductor Substrates:

    • Gallium Arsenide (GaAs): GaAs wafers are used in high-frequency and optoelectronic reclaimed gallium arsenide waferapplications. They are reclaimed for similar reasons as silicon, especially in specialized applications where new wafers are even more expensive.
    • Indium Phosphide (InP): InP wafers are used in high-speed and high-frequency electronics. They can be reclaimed for cost-saving and environmental reasons, though less commonly than silicon.

  3. Reasons for Reclamation:

    • Economic Savings: The primary reason is cost savings. Reclaimed wafers are significantly cheaper than new ones.
    • Sustainability: Reclaiming wafers aligns with environmental sustainability goals by reducing waste and the need for new materials.
    • Test and Calibration: Used extensively for testing and calibrating equipment, which helps to avoid damage or wastage of new wafers.
    • Research and Development: Additional wafer testing enables economical technology improvements. Small companies can test and build new technologies affordably.

To put it simply, we reclaim silicon wafers so much because they're everywhere, they save us cash, and hey - they're good for Mother Earth too. It's not just silicon wafers getting a second life, but niche players like GaAs and InP are also jumping on the reclamation bandwagon, especially in unique use cases. The process of reclaiming stuff, it's like a total win-win for the semiconductor industry – helps us save some serious cash, gives sustainability a big thumbs up and makes sure we're not wasting resources.