TDK-EPC, a group company of the TDK Corporation, presents a range of TDK multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) with new soft terminations that provide very high resistance to mechanical and thermal stress. The new series of X7R MLCCs is designed for use in safety-critical automotive applications such as ABS, ESP and airbag systems with very high reliability demands. The high-performance soft terminations of the components form an extremely reliable joint with the circuit board, and thus help system developers achieve the very low failure rates demanded by automotive OEMs.
Conventional termination materials used in standard MLCCs are inflexible. As a result vibration, shock, or thermal expansion and contraction have the potential to crack or shear the solder joint between the component and the circuit board. In automotive applications, which are exposed to shock and vibration and to extreme temperature swings, this can result in higher failure rates in the field for conventional capacitors.
The new termination type of the TDK C series employs an elastic conductive epoxy resin at the electrodes where solder joints attach the capacitor to the circuit board. This material is able to absorb mechanical shock and other forces, as well as movement caused by temperature fluctuations. This enables the C series MLCCs to withstand much higher shear forces and many more temperature-change cycles before failing than the conventional MLCCs of competitors.
The C series with soft terminations is available immediately in production volumes.
Glossary
- ABS: anti-lock braking systems in vehicles ensure that the wheels continue to rotate even under the most severe braking forces. When a brake locks a wheel, the driver loses the ability to steer the vehicle.
- ESP: electronic stability program is a vehicle technology also known as electronic stability control that uses an on-board computer to apply braking forces automatically to individual wheels, and to regulate the power delivered to the wheels when the vehicle is in danger of skidding.
Main applications
- Safety-critical applications in environments that are exposed to vibration, shock or thermal stress.
Main features and benefits
- Soft epoxy resin terminations at electrodes provide resilient solder joints with the circuit board
About TDK-EPC Corporation
TDK-EPC Corporation (TDK-EPC), a TDK group company, is a leading manufacturer of electronic components, modules and systems headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. TDK-EPC has emerged from the combination of the electronic components business of TDK and the EPCOS Group and markets its products under the product brands, TDK and EPCOS.
The product portfolio includes ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, ferrites and inductors, high-frequency components such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter products and modules, piezo and protection components, and sensors. With this product spectrum TDK-EPC offers a broad range of products and solutions of outstanding value from a single source and focuses on demanding markets in the areas of information and communication technology and automotive, industrial and consumer electronics. The company has design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America.
Further information on the products can be found under 
www.tdk-components.eu
Please forward reader inquiries to:
TDK Electronics Europe GmbH
Mr. Frank Trampnau
trampnau@eu.tdk.com
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