05041A101KA79A Datasheet, PDF (3/48 Pages) AVX Corporation – Multilayer Ceramic Chip Capacitor

General Description
Basic Construction – A multilayer ceramic (MLC) capaci-
tor is a monolithic block of ceramic containing two sets of
offset, interleaved planar electrodes that extend to two
opposite surfaces of the ceramic dielectric. This simple
structure requires a considerable amount of sophistication,
both in material and manufacture, to produce it in the quality
and quantities needed in today’s electronic equipment.
Ceramic Layer
Electrode
Terminated
Edge
End Terminations
Terminated
Edge
Margin
Electrodes
Formulations – Multilayer ceramic capacitors are available
in both Class 1 and Class 2 formulations. Temperature
compensating formulation are Class 1 and temperature sta-
ble and general application formulations are classified as
Class 2.
Class 1 – Class 1 capacitors or temperature compensating
capacitors are usually made from mixtures of titanates
where barium titanate is normally not a major part of the
mix. They have predictable temperature coefficients and in
general, do not have an aging characteristic. Thus they are
the most stable capacitor available. Normally the T.C.s of
multilayer ceramic capacitors are NP0 Class 1 temperature
compensating capacitors (negative-positive 0 ppm/°C).
Class 2 – Class 2 capacitors are “ferro electric” and vary in
capacitance value under the influence of the environmental
and electrical operating conditions. Class 2 capacitors are
affected by temperature, voltage (both AC and DC), fre-
quency and time. Temperature effects for Class 2 ceramic
capacitors are exhibited as non-linear capacitance changes
with temperature. The most common temperature stable
formulation for MLCs is X7R while Z5U and Y5V are the
most common general application formulations.
For additional information on performance changes with
operating conditions consult AVX’s software, SpiCap.
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