A ceramic capacitor is a fixed-value capacitor where the ceramic material acts as the dielectric. It is constructed of two or more alternating layers of ceramic and a metal layer acting as the electrodes. The composition of the ceramic material defines the electrical behavior and therefore applications.
C 2.9.1 Construction The capacitors consist, as the name tells us, of some kind of ceramic. The manufacturing process starts with a finely grounded ceramic powder mixed to an emulsion of solvents and resin binders.
The most common design of a ceramic capacitor is the multi layer construction where the capacitor elements are stacked as shown in Figure C2-70, so called MLCC (Multi Layer Ceramic Capacitor). The number of layers has to be limited for reasons of the manufacturing technique. The upper limit amounts at present to over 1000.
Ceramic capacitors, especially the ubiquitous MLCC, represent the most commonly consumed capacitor by type worldwide in FY 2019 in terms of both value and volume. All other capacitor markets are considered niche when compared to ceramic capacitors.
Another method of cost-savings employed by global manufacturers of ceramic capacitors includes the intentional production of large volumes of ceramic chip capacitors in low-cost production regions of the world (Korea, Philippines, Thailand and China are good regional low-cost production bases for MLCCs).
In addition, power electronics applications are an emerging market in which ceramic capacitors will play an increasing role through improved breakdown strength, enhanced dielectric stability in harsh environments, and innovative packaging.
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A ceramic capacitor is a fixed-value capacitor where the ceramic material acts as the dielectric. It is constructed of two or more alternating layers of ceramic and a metal layer acting as the electrodes. The composition of the ceramic material defines the electrical behavior and therefore applications. Ceramic capacitors are divided into two application classes: