Application Watch: AEC-Q200-qualified leaded disc, SMD multilayer ceramic capacitors targeted

Mainland China makers of ceramic capacitors catering to the automotive industry highlight reliability based on prescribed stress resistance tests.

Developments in the automotive industry that have spawned not only better vehicles but also hybrid and electric types have raised the performance criteria for passive components. In ceramic capacitors, the requirements emphasize high reliability based on the stress resistance parameters defined by the AEC-Q200 standard, besides elevated capacitance and voltage, and small size.

Mainland China suppliers of the component will therefore continue to focus on meeting these benchmarks, especially as the application has a sizeable share of demand. The estimate in terms of global shipments is about 15 percent for automotive use. Data shows about 3,000 ceramic capacitors are needed in a conventional vehicle, 12,000 in an HEV and 18,000 in an EV.

The automotive multilayer ceramic capacitors released by Guangdong Fenghua can operate in temperatures as high as 125 to 150 C. These adopt a unique flexible resin conductive layer, which protects against mechanical and cold or thermal shock in compliance with AEC-Q200. In sizes of 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210 and 1812, the MLCCs come in variants with capacitance ranging from 0.1 to 224pF and rated voltage from 6.3 to 630V. Applications include safety, body and cruise control systems.

In leaded disc types, makers such as Guangdong South Hongming (HK) Elec Science & Tech Co. Ltd underscore high dielectric strength and corrosion resistance in new upscale models.

Globally, ceramic capacitors for automotive applications are expected to grow in sales volume by about 10 percent through 2019. The mainland, one of the largest production bases for the line, will exceed this rate in the next one or two years. Fueling this upward trend is the rising vehicle shipments worldwide.

Dongguan HongFarad Electronic Co. Ltd increased its output for the application by 8 percent in the past year and will continue to highlight it, anticipating revenue growth of more than 10 percent in 2019. At present, about 5 percent of the maker’s ceramic capacitor production is for vehicles.

Hundreds of companies offer automotive-use ceramic capacitors in the mainland. The number will increase in the years ahead amid climbing demand.

Over 80 percent of the suppliers are locally owned, but foreign players such as those from Japan and Taiwan own more than 60 percent of the market there. The latter includes Murata, Kyocera and TDK. Guangdong Fenghua and Guangdong South Hong Ming are among the homegrown counterparts.

All manufacturers turn out other components. Ceramic capacitors account for 10 to 30 percent of their shipments.

The production hubs are in the coastal provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu. Over half of the suppliers gather in the first, mainly in Dongguan, Shenzhen and Zhaoqing.

Mainstream selection

Mainland suppliers offer leaded disc and SMD types of ceramic capacitors for automotive applications. The latter comes in sizes of 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210 and 1812.

Products support maximum operating temperatures of 125 to 150 C. The dielectric materials used include COG, X7R, X7S and X8R. The typical applications are body, drive and safety control systems, and power supplies.

Some manufacturers emphasize customization, and such releases constitute between 30 and 60 percent of their shipments.

Besides complying with the AEC-Q200 standard, most local companies secure CB, CQC, CSA, ENEC, UL and VDE certification. They follow RoHS guidelines as well.

Key manufacturing inputs such as ceramic dielectrics, electrodes, epoxy resin, tin and copper come mostly from the domestic supply. Some makers import specific materials from the US, Japan and South Korea. The major providers include Japan companies Nippon Steel for electrodes and Pelnox for epoxy resin.

Due to the short supply worldwide, the cost of ceramic materials rose. This doubled or tripled the prices of MLCCs compared with that in early 2017. The majority of makers predict the trend will persist in 2019 and push up MLCC quotes by more than 50 percent.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our mainland China-based market analyst for representing current trends in automotive electronics from greater China makers.

1pF to 0.01µF ceramic capacitor

Dongguan Hongfarad Electronic offers this ceramic capacitor, HYWD472M2GY5U00LE model, with 1pF to 0.01µF capacitance. The unit has a rated voltage of 760/400VAC when used as X1 and 500/250VAC as Y1, 4,000VAC/min dielectric strength at 50/60Hz and maximum 50mA, and 10,000Mohm minimum insulation resistance at 500VDC for 1min. It operates in -25 to 125 C and meets CSA, CQC, RoHS, UL and VDE requirements.

The minimum order quantity is 10,000 units, with delivery lead time of 15 days.

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Ceramic capacitor with 1 to 6kVDC rated voltage

Rated at 1 to 6kVDC, Guangdong South Hongming (HK) Elec Science & Tech Co. Ltd's High Voltage Ceramic Capacitors model comes in NPO, SL, Y5P, Y5U and Y5V variants. It has ≤2 percent dissipation factor and ≥10,000Mohm insulation resistance at 500VDC. The operating temperature is -25 to 125 C.

The supplier requires an order of at least 10,000 units. Delivery is within 15 days.

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Ceramic capacitors have 50V to 3kV rated voltage

Jya Nay Co. Ltd markets the model Ceramic Disc Capacitors with rated voltage ranging from 50V to 3kV. The NPO/SL series consist of Y5E, Y5P, Y5U, Y5V, Z5U and Z5V high dielectric constant types, and Y5P, Y5U and Y5V semiconductive kinds. These units support an operating temperature of -55 to 125 C or -25 to 125 C.

The products meet CB, CSA, ENEC, RoHS, UL and VDE guidelines. The negotiable minimum order is delivered within 15 days.

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500V to 10kV ceramic capacitor

Model MLCC-001 ceramic capacitor from Surplus Technology Development has a rated voltage of 500V to 10kV. The RoHS-compliant unit suits wave and reflow soldering.

The required minimum order is 40,000 units. Delivery takes 15 days.

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