Multilayer Electrode Corner Layering for Moisture-Resistant Capacitance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multilayer ceramic capacitors face issues with non-uniform external electrode thickness, leading to reduced capacitance per unit volume and vulnerability to plating solution and moisture penetration through corners, affecting reliability.
Innovation Solution
The multilayer electronic component features corner electrode layers with a metal area ratio of 90% or more, preventing plating solution and moisture penetration while maintaining capacitance by enhancing the base electrode layers with conductive resin or metal layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the external electrode is formed by the dipping method, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the electrode thickness is non-uniform (excessively thin at corners, excessively thick in central portion)
Solution Approach 1:
The external electrode is divided into multiple layers: a base electrode layer formed by dipping and a corner electrode layer formed by screen printing. This segmentation allows each layer to serve different functions - the base layer provides overall coverage while the corner layer specifically addresses thickness uniformity at corner portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner electrode layer is selectively applied only at the corner portions of the external electrode where thickness uniformity is problematic. This local application ensures that corners receive additional material without excessively thickening the central portion, achieving local quality improvement.
2Quantity of substance
If the external electrode is formed excessively thin at corners, then the capacitance per unit volume increases, but plating solution and moisture penetrate through corners reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The corner electrode layer is applied in advance at corner portions before the plating process. This preliminary action creates a protective barrier at corners that prevents plating solution and moisture penetration, allowing the electrode to be sufficiently thin elsewhere to maintain high capacitance per unit volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner electrode layer acts as an intermediary protective layer between the base electrode and the external environment (plating solution and moisture). This intermediate layer specifically protects vulnerable corner regions while allowing the overall electrode structure to remain thin for high capacitance.
3Reliability
If the external electrode is formed excessively thick in the central portion, then reliability improves, but capacitance per unit volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure applies different thickness characteristics to different regions: the base electrode layer provides uniform thin coverage across the entire surface for high capacitance, while the corner electrode layer adds thickness specifically at corner portions for localized protection, achieving both high capacitance and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode is segmented into a base electrode layer for overall coverage and a corner electrode layer for localized reinforcement. This segmentation allows the central portion to remain thin (high capacitance) while corners receive additional protection (high reliability) without compromising either objective.
Data Source
AI summary
An external electrode of a multilayer electronic component includes a base electrode layer and a corner electrode layer disposed at a corner of a body and disposed on the base electrode layer, wherein an area ratio of metal of the corner electrode layer is 90% or more.