Optimization of multi-layer ceramic capacitor geometry for maximum yield during binder burnout

The yield during binder burnout of barium titanate multi-layer ceramic capa citors with poly(vinyl) butyral as a binder and platinum as the electrode m aterial depends on the side length and height of the devices. In general, t he yield decreases with increasing volume of the capacitor and depends on t he aspect ratio of the component. For capacitors of square parallelepiped g eometry, the optimum aspect ratio determined from the analysis of binder bu rnout yield data occurs at a height-to-length ratio of approximately 1 : 3. A methodology is presented which describes how to use the yield data obtai ned from binder burnout experiments to guide the optimum design of capacito r geometry. Analytical expressions were developed for capacitors of cube, s quare parallelepiped, rectangular parallelepiped, circular cylinder, and el liptical cylinder geometry. As the dependence of the yield on the dimension s becomes more complex, the optimum shape of the capacitor becomes more asy mmetric. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.