Segmented Base Electrode Structure in MLCCs for Crack Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors with glass in the base electrode layer often experience glass flow during plating, leading to cracks and deteriorated moisture resistance.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer ceramic capacitor design with a base electrode layer divided into regions, where the first region has more metal from internal electrode layers, the second region has higher glass content, and the third region has more copper, improving moisture resistance by controlling glass distribution and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass is included in the base electrode layer, then adhesion and electrical connectivity are improved, but glass flows out during plating forming, causing cracks and deteriorated moisture resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The base electrode layer is divided into three distinct regions with different glass content concentrations. The first region (adjacent to multilayer body) has low glass content to prevent flow, the second region (middle) has high glass content for adhesion, and the third region (outer) has moderate glass content for balanced performance. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by spatially separating the conflicting requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the base electrode layer are assigned different glass content concentrations tailored to their specific functional requirements. The region adjacent to the multilayer body has lower glass content to prevent flow during plating, while the middle region has higher glass content to ensure adhesion. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its properties for its specific role, eliminating the glass flow problem while maintaining adhesion benefits.
2Strength
If glass content in base electrode layer is increased to improve adhesion, then bonding strength increases, but glass flows out during plating process
Solution Approach 1:
The base electrode layer is segmented into three regions with progressively different glass content. The middle region contains the highest glass content to maximize adhesion strength, while the first and third regions have lower glass content to prevent flow during plating. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve strong adhesion without sacrificing plating precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Glass content is locally optimized in each region: the middle region has high glass content for maximum adhesion, while the first region (near multilayer body) and third region (outer) have controlled lower glass content to prevent flow during plating. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between adhesion strength and plating precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A multilayer ceramic capacitor includes a multilayer body including dielectric layers and internal electrode layers alternately laminated therein, and external electrode layers respectively provided on both end surfaces of the multilayer body in a length direction intersecting a lamination direction, and each connected to the internal electrode layers, the external electrode layers each further including a base electrode layer including a first region, a second region, and a third region divided therein, in order from the multilayer body. The first region includes a metal included in the internal electrode layers in a higher amount than the second region and the third region, the second region includes glass in a higher amount than the first region and the third region, and the third region includes copper in a higher amount than the first region and the second region.