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Why 100mm and 150mm Wafers Still Matter
Even with most headlines focused on 200mm and 300mm manufacturing, small-diameter silicon wafers remain critical for US-based research, pilot lines, and specialty production. For many labs, 100mm and 150mm wafers offer the best balance of tool compatibility, manageable cost per wafer, and enough real estate for meaningful device layouts.
Quick Answers Engineers Ask Before Buying
| Question | What matters in practice |
|---|---|
| Where can I buy 100mm wafers in the US? | Look for US-stocked suppliers with multiple grades and resistivity options. Test-grade 100mm wafers can be a cost-effective starting point for early process development. |
| How do 150mm prices compare? | Expect higher unit cost moving from 100mm to 150mm due to material and processing overhead; test-grade 150mm examples are commonly around the ~$39 range. |
| What grade and resistivity should I choose? | Use prime wafers for final characterization and reliability work; use test or mechanical wafers for training, tuning, and early process learning. |
| Do tariffs and lead times matter? | Yes. Overseas production and import steps can add delay and tariff exposure. US-stocked inventory helps reduce procurement risk. |
Wafer Specs That Actually Drive Success
Before you compare prices, lock down the specs that must match your toolset and process: grade (prime, test, mechanical), doping (undoped, P-type, N-type), resistivity, orientation, polish (SSP vs DSP), and alignment style (notch vs flat). 150mm options often include dopants such as B, Ga, As, and Sb, and are commonly available as CZ or FZ material depending on the resistivity target.
SSP vs DSP: when it matters
- SSP (single-side polished): common for general microelectronics and many process-development runs.
- DSP (double-side polished): useful when backside processing, bonding, optics, or double-side lithography are involved.
Price Benchmarks for 100mm and 150mm in the US
For budgeting, it helps to anchor your expectations early. Example data points show that 100mm test-grade and basic dummy wafers can start in the single-digit dollars per wafer, while more tightly specified 100mm wafers can land around the low teens. Meanwhile, example 150mm test-grade wafers are often listed around $39 each.
| Diameter | Common R&D use | Budget expectation |
|---|---|---|
| 100mm (4") | Training runs, early device prototyping, process tuning | Low-cost test/dummy options can start around $4.90–$11.90 depending on spec. |
| 150mm (6") | Pilot-line style learning, notched alignment workflows, bridge to 150mm specialty fabs | Common test-grade examples are around $39.00 per wafer. |
100mm vs 150mm: How to Choose for US Labs
A simple way to choose is to start from your tool constraints and your scale-up plan. If your lab is mostly set up for 100mm handling, you’ll save time and cost early. If your roadmap includes a US specialty line that already runs 150mm, starting on 150mm can reduce migration friction later.
Tariffs, Lead Times, and Why “US-Stocked” Inventory Helps
Many small-diameter substrates are still produced overseas, and importing can introduce risk: tariff exposure, shipping variability, and customs delays. Working with distributors that stock inventory inside the United States can make procurement more predictable, especially for time-sensitive programs or projects with tighter compliance needs.
Practical Buying Checklist (Use This Before You Order)
- Diameter & thickness: match to chucks, clamps, and handling tools.
- Grade: prime for final devices; test/mechanical for learning and training.
- Dopant & resistivity: align to your design assumptions; document CZ vs FZ if needed.
- Orientation and notch/flat: prevent alignment mistakes and wafer breakage.
- Surface finish: SSP vs DSP based on optics, MEMS, or double-sided processing.
- Supplier location: verify US shipping origin to reduce tariff and lead-time risk.
Conclusion
Buying 100mm and 150mm wafers in the US sits at the intersection of wafer specifications, tariff exposure, and long-term scaling strategy. Define your specs early, use price anchors to budget realistically, and choose US-stocked inventory when schedule predictability matters.