Chip resistor suppliers increase output, keep R&D active

Makers of chip resistors address the shortage in supply while continuing development work to realize greater component miniaturization and performance.

The stricter implementation of environmental regulations, and the rise in material and labor costs in mainland China resulted in the short supply of chip resistors in 2018. To reverse the trend, most companies have raised their production by 15 to 20 percent. In the next one or two years, the local sector is anticipated to boost total shipments by 15 percent, more than half of which are allocated for export markets.

Upgrades in various electronics products continue to trigger a demand uptick for the passive component, which was in the 10 to 15 percent range in the past several years. This is expected to extend to the near term, spurred by developments in the mobile electronics, communications, automotive, medical equipment and industrial markets. In particular, smartphones, in-vehicle electronics and the Internet of Things will be the hot applications as 5G rollout begins in 2020.

In product development, further miniaturization and performance improvements remain on the agenda.

Chip resistors in sizes of up to 2512 are turned out, but those in smaller packages such as 0201, 0402, 0603 and 0805 units account for the bulk of local shipments. The next target sizes are 0102 and 01005. At present, these ultrasmall resistors come from foreign suppliers, including Viking and Ever Ohms, and major mainland companies such as Guangdong Fenghua Advanced. Interviewed supplier Yinghua International (HK) Ltd has a model in sizes of 01005, 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 1812, 2010 and 2512.

In terms of precision, domestic enterprises plan to achieve up to ±0.01 percent tolerance in coming years, mainly for medical equipment and precision instruments. Current models are available with ±1, ±2, ±5 and ±10 percent, although ±0.1 percent can be realized.

The global chip resistor market is dominated by foreign suppliers, including Yageo, Rohm, TDK, Murata, Viking, Vishay, Walsin and Bourns. Combined, the shipments of these industry players account for more than 80 percent of the total for the line worldwide.

In the mainland, there are more than 300 companies offering chip resistors, two-thirds of which are local makers. The majority consists of small and midsize operations with entry-level and midrange products.

Many of these suppliers, including foreign-invested ones, are in the established electronics hubs in Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces. The key city locations are Zhaoqing and Dongguan in the first, and Suzhou and Changzhou in the latter. There are also a number of makers in the province of Zhejiang, and in Sichuan, Shaanxi.

General-use & high-precision types

Mainland makers of chip resistors ensure a supply in a range of sizes and rated power to suit general-purpose and high-precision requirements.

The package sizes are 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 1812, 2010 and 2512. Based on rated power, there are 1/20, 1/16, 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 and 1W versions.

The resistance tolerance is ±1, ±2, ±5 or ±10 percent in general types, and ±0.01 to ±1 percent for high-precision counterparts.

Products are mainly for consumer and automotive electronics, computers, communications and medical products, instruments and industrial equipment. These conform to industry standards, including CE, RoHS and UL.

Conductive paste, ceramic substrate and silver paste are among the main materials and components used, and may come from local or foreign providers as required.

The cost of these inputs has not changed and ensured no increase in the prices of chip resistors. The trend is expected to last until 2020.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our market analyst for representing current trends in chip resistors from mainland China and Taiwan makers.

Chip resistor has ±1, ±2 or ±5% tolerance

The 1210R model from Aid Electronics Corp. is a chip resistor with 10ohm to 1mohm resistance and ±1, ±2 or ±5 percent tolerance. The maximum operating and overload voltages are 250 and 450V. Power rating at 70 C is 1/3W. The unit supports -55 to 125 C.

The order quantity is negotiable. Delivery lead time is 7 days.

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Chip resistor with ±50ppm/C TCR

Rated at 0.25, 1, 2, 3 or 4W, Shenzhen Kangyuxin Electronics Co. Ltd's model KYX-YLR-21 chip resistor has 1 to 10mohm resistance, ±1, ±2 or ±5 percent tolerance and ±50ppm/C temperature coefficient. It operates in -55 to 155 C.

The 1,000-unit minimum order has a delivery lead time of 7 days.

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Chip resistor has 10 to 100Mohm resistance

In 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 2010 and 2512 sizes, Thunder Components Ltd's model RH Series chip resistor has 10 to 100Mohm resistance and ±1, ±5 or ±10 percent tolerance. It comes in 0.0625, 0.1, 0.125, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5 and 1W power ratings.

The unit has maximum operating and overload voltages of 25 to 200V and 50 to 400V. It operates in -55 to 125 C.

The minimum order is negotiable. Delivery lead time is 7 days.

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Chip resistor in 01005 to 2512 packages

This Chip-Resistor model from Yinghua International (HK) Ltd has 1ohm to 10Mohm resistance and ±0.5, ±1, ± or ±5 percent tolerance. The 1/32 to 1W unit comes in 01005, 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 1812, 2010 and 2512 sizes. It operates in -55 to 155 C.

The supplier requires an order of at least 2,000 units. Delivery is within 5 days.

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