THERMAL-SHOCK RESISTANCE OF MINIATURIZED MULTILAYER CERAMIC CAPACITORS

The thermal shock resistance of miniaturized multilayer ceramic capaci tors (MLCs), of sizes ''0402'', ''0603'', ''0805'' and ''1206'', was i nvestigated by comparing the leakage currents before and after thermal shock. It was generally found that smaller capacitors have a higher t hermal shock resistance than larger ones. The ''0402'' MLC possesses a thermal shock resistance in excess of 420 degrees C. The linear inter dependence of thermal shock resistance and reciprocal of half thicknes s, as predicted by conventional thermal shock analysis, was not observ ed. Instead, the thermal shock resistance of an MLC was found to be in versely proportional to the total area of its ceramic surface. This co nfirms that pre-existing flaws on the ceramic surface dominate the cra ck initiation process and are therefore primarily responsible for dete rmining the thermal shock resistance of an MLC.