Company Description
CPS Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: CPSH) manufactures aluminum metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs) used primarily for thermal management in high-power electronics and protective armor applications. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Norton, Massachusetts, the company has established itself as a specialized producer of aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC) components that dissipate heat from semiconductor devices and power electronics.
Core Business: Metal Matrix Composites
CPS Technologies produces composite materials that combine aluminum with ceramic reinforcements such as silicon carbide particles. These AlSiC materials offer thermal conductivity properties that make them suitable for managing heat in electronic systems where traditional materials may be insufficient. The company's manufacturing process involves infiltrating molten aluminum into ceramic preforms to create components with specific thermal expansion characteristics.
The thermal management product line serves customers in the semiconductor, telecommunications, aerospace, and industrial electronics sectors. These components are integrated into packages that house sensitive electronic chips, helping to transfer heat away from active devices to prevent performance degradation or failure.
HybridTech Armor Division
Beyond electronics applications, CPS Technologies manufactures HybridTech Armor, a protective material that encapsulates ceramic tiles within an aluminum metal matrix composite shell. This armor technology targets military and defense applications, including vehicle protection systems. The company pursues defense contracts through programs such as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants from the U.S. Army and Department of Energy.
Syntactic Metal Matrix Composites
CPS Technologies also produces syntactic MMCs using ceramic hollow shell reinforcements, creating materials with densities approaching half that of solid aluminum. These lightweight structures can incorporate fiber-reinforced layers for applications requiring both stiffness and reduced weight. The company's manufacturing capabilities accommodate components up to approximately one meter by two meters in size.
Market Position and Customers
As a specialized materials manufacturer, CPS Technologies operates in niche markets where performance requirements exceed what conventional aluminum or copper heat sinks can provide. The company supplies components to semiconductor packaging companies, defense contractors, and electronics manufacturers. Its customer base includes organizations developing high-power RF amplifiers, laser diode assemblies, and power conversion systems.
The company generates revenue through direct sales of composite components and through government-funded research contracts. Defense-related SBIR and STTR programs provide funding for developing new applications of metal matrix composite technology, including controlled fragmentation warhead components and additive manufacturing techniques for military munitions.
Manufacturing Capabilities
CPS Technologies operates production facilities in Massachusetts where it performs the pressure infiltration casting process central to AlSiC manufacturing. This process requires specialized equipment to force molten aluminum into porous ceramic preforms under controlled conditions. The company maintains quality systems appropriate for aerospace and defense customers who require traceable, consistent material properties.