Ceramic Capacitors
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Ceramic Capacitors
Ceramic Capacitors (MLCC): Efficient & Compact
Ceramic capacitors, especially multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), are indispensable in modern electronics.
As compact chip capacitors, these components are found in billions across nearly every electronic device - from smartphones and industrial controllers to automotive electronics. MLCCs are popular due to their versatility, reliability, and excellent high-frequency characteristics.
alfatec GmbH & Co. KG, as a distributor of high-quality electronic components, offers a comprehensive range of ceramic capacitors from our partners Chemi-Con and Samwha, both globally recognized manufacturers of passive components. Find the optimal MLCC for your specific requirements.
Structure: The Secret Behind High Capacitance in a Small Package
An MLCC consists of many thin layers of ceramic dielectric material alternated with equally thin internal electrodes - typically made of nickel or copper. This layered stack is sintered at high temperatures and fitted with external terminations. This multilayer structure enables high capacitance values in a compact form while maintaining excellent electrical properties, such as high voltage resistance.
MLCCs are fundamentally divided into two classes, primarily based on the properties of their ceramic dielectric and temperature coefficients:
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Class I (Temperature Compensating):
- Dielectric: The most common Class I dielectric is C0G (also known as NP0).
- Properties: These capacitors offer very stable electrical characteristics. Their capacitance is nearly independent of temperature, applied voltage, and frequency. They also exhibit low losses and high voltage resistance. The temperature coefficient is negligibly small.
- Applications: Ideal for precision applications such as filters, oscillators, timing circuits, and resonant circuits.
Class II (High Dielectric Constant / General Purpose):
- Dielectric: Uses ceramic materials with significantly higher dielectric constants, enabling higher capacitance values in the same package size. Common dielectrics include X7R, X5R, X8R, and Y5V.
- Properties:
- X8R: Medium capacitance values with ±15% variation over a wide temperature range (-55°C to 150°C). Ideal for automotive and industrial use.
- X7R: A versatile standard with ±15% capacitance variation from -55°C to 125°C.
- X5R: Similar stability to X7R (±15%) but over a narrower range (-55°C to 85°C), often allowing higher capacitance in the same size.
- Y5V: Offers the highest capacitance per volume but with significant variation (+22% / -82%) over a limited range (-30°C to 85°C) and strong voltage dependence. Suitable for decoupling applications where exact capacitance is less critical.
- Applications: Primarily used for decoupling, filtering, and as buffer capacitors in power supplies and digital circuits.
alfatec offers a complete range of MLCCs in both Class I (C0G) and Class II (X8R, X7R, X5R, Y5V).
Technical parameters & designs: A deeper insight
Several technical parameters are crucial when selecting the right inductor:
- Inductance (L): The nominal value – measured in nanohenry (nH) or microhenry (µH). Determines the ability to store energy in the magnetic field. alfatec covers the range from 0.2 nH to 680 nH.
- Quality factor (Q): A measure of the efficiency of the inductor. A high Q factor means low losses, which is particularly important in RF circuits.
- Self-resonant frequency (SRF): The frequency at which the parasitic capacitance of the inductor resonates with its inductance. Above the SRF, the component behaves capacitively. MLCIs typically have high SRFs.
- Direct current resistance (DCR): The ohmic resistance of the internal conductor tracks. A low DCR minimizes power losses, which is particularly relevant at higher currents (primary current in DC/DC converters).
- Rated current: The maximum continuous current (often DC) that the inductor can carry without overheating or significant change in inductance – up to 1000 mA in our portfolio.
Comparison of designs:
- Multilayer Ceramic Inductors (MLCI): Ideal for RF filtering, impedance matching, and decoupling in space-critical applications. The multilayer structure enables the smallest possible sizes.
- Wire-wound inductors: Often preferred for higher inductance values, higher currents, and higher Q factors, typically in larger designs.
Specifications and Samwha Solutions at alfatec
Samwha MLCCs available at alfatec cover a broad spectrum:
- Capacitance values: From a few picofarads (pF) to several hundred microfarads (µF)
- Voltage ratings: From a few volts (V) up to several kilovolts (kV) for high-voltage applications
- Package sizes (EIA): Standardized cases from tiny 01005/0201 to larger formats like 1206, 1210, 1812, 2225 for higher capacitance or voltage
- Dielectrics: Full range of Class I (C0G) and Class II (X8R, X7R, X5R, Y5V) materials
Manufacturer-Specific Advantages: Chemi-Con
Focus on High Capacitance and Temperature Resistance
- Chemi-Con specializes in MLCCs with large capacitance, especially in sizes from 1206 upward. Using advanced dielectrics like X7R and X8L, these capacitors can withstand temperatures up to 150°C.
Robust Construction with Metal Caps and Lead-Free Soldering
- A key advantage of Chemi-Con MLCCs is the availability of metal cap versions. They also prioritize lead-free soldering, ensuring reliability and environmental compliance in modern manufacturing.
Automotive-Focused Development
- Chemi-Con tailors its product development to the evolving needs of the automotive industry, continuously creating MLCC solutions for future applications in e-mobility and driver assistance systems, with a focus on quality and long-term stability.
Our partner for Ceramic Capacitors
Samwha
The Samwha Capacitor Group is a leading global manufacturer of passive electronic components such as aluminum electrolytic and ceramic capacitors. Since 1956, Samwha has stood for quality, innovation, and energy efficiency. As a partner of alfatec, Samwha offers a wide range of products with high availability, reliable performance, and an excellent price-performance ratio—ideal for applications in industry, automotive, telecommunications, and more.
Chemi-Con
As the world's largest manufacturer of aluminium electrolytic capacitors, Chemi-Con has been driving development in this field since 1931. The core product portfolio is supplemented by other innovative components such as tantalum electrolytic capacitors, film capacitors, supercapacitors and many more, so that the manufacturer is characterised by a wide range of standard and special types of high quality, reliability and performance.
alfatec MLCC Manufacturer Advantages
- Broad portfolio: With partners like Chemi-Con and Samwha, alfatec offers standard MLCCs as well as high-capacitance, high-voltage, AEC-Q200 qualified, low-ESL, and safety-certified types.
- Quality and reliability: Both Chemi-Con and Samwha emphasize consistent quality and high production standards.
- Technological expertise: Ongoing development for higher capacitance in smaller sizes and improved performance.
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alfatec – your partner for high-quality electronic components
As your expert partner for electronic components, alfatec supports you in selecting the right ceramic capacitors for your applications. We offer comprehensive advice and are happy to answer any questions you may have about power modules.
Do you have questions about our ceramic capacitors or would you like a personal consultation? Feel free to contact us.