Patent attributes
A power module is fabricated, employing a clad metal that is formed by pressure-laminating aluminum and copper, in such a manner that the aluminum layer of the clad metal is bonded such as by ultrasonic bonding to the surface electrode of the power semiconductor chip and a wire is bonded to the copper layer thereof to establish electrical circuit. The clad metal is thermally treated in advance at a temperature higher than the operating temperature of the power semiconductor chip to sufficiently form intermetallic compounds at the interface between the aluminum layer and the copper layer for the intermetallic compounds so as not to grow in thickness after the bonding processes.