Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor Electrode Thickness for Moisture Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors face challenges in achieving high capacitance while maintaining reliability, particularly moisture proof reliability, as the miniaturization and increased capacitance require thinner internal electrodes and dielectric layers, leading to potential moisture permeability issues.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves controlling the sum of thicknesses of electrode layers and conductive resin layers in specific cross-sectional directions to enhance moisture proof reliability, with the electrode layers and conductive resin layers combined being 12 μm or more in one direction and 10 μm or more in another direction, to prevent moisture permeation and ensure reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the internal electrodes and dielectric layers are made thinner to increase capacitance and miniaturize the capacitor, then the capacitance per unit volume increases and the size decreases, but the moisture proof reliability deteriorates due to increased moisture permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The external electrode is constructed as a composite structure with a metal electrode layer and a conductive resin layer. The conductive resin layer contains conductive particles embedded in a resin matrix, creating a composite material that provides both electrical conductivity and moisture barrier properties. This composite structure allows the external electrode to simultaneously achieve good electrical connection and effective moisture protection, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and moisture proof reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive resin layer acts as a flexible protective film covering the metal electrode layer. This thin film structure provides moisture barrier protection while maintaining the electrical functionality of the external electrode. The resin matrix forms a continuous protective layer that prevents moisture penetration, addressing the reliability issue caused by thinning internal structures.
2Reliability
If the sum of thicknesses of electrode layer and conductive resin layer is increased to improve moisture proof reliability, then the moisture barrier performance improves, but the overall size of the capacitor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies optimal thickness parameters for the electrode layer (5-15 μm) and conductive resin layer (5-20 μm) to achieve the best balance between moisture protection and size control. By carefully controlling these dimensional parameters, the external electrode provides sufficient moisture barrier performance while minimizing the increase in overall capacitor size. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between reliability improvement and size constraint.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a ceramic body including dielectric layers and a plurality of internal electrodes disposed to face each other with each of the dielectric layers interposed therebetween; and external electrodes disposed on external surfaces of the ceramic body and electrically connected to the internal electrodes, respectively, wherein the external electrode includes an electrode layer electrically connected to the internal electrodes and a conductive resin layer disposed on the electrode layer, and a sum of thicknesses of the electrode layer and the conductive resin layer in a cross section of the ceramic body in the first and second directions is 12 μm or more.