Semiconductor die singulation

In a described example, a method includes: forming a metal layer on a backside surface of a semiconductor wafer, the semiconductor wafer having semiconductor dies spaced apart by scribe lanes on an active surface of the semiconductor wafer opposite the backside surface; forming a layer with a modulus greater than about 4000 MPa up to about 8000 MPa over the metal layer; mounting the backside of the semiconductor wafer on a first side of a dicing tape having an adhesive; cutting through the semiconductor wafer, the metal layer, and the layer with a modulus greater than about 4000 MPa up to about 8000 MPa along scribe lanes; separating the semiconductor dies from the semiconductor wafer and from one another by stretching the dicing tape, expanding the cuts in the semiconductor wafer along the scribe lanes between the semiconductor dies; and removing the separated semiconductor dies from the dicing tape.