MLCC (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitors)

MLCC (multi-layer ceramic capacitors) is an important technology that is adding very high reliability to personal electronic devices.

Basic Technology:

Thin ceramic slurry, or 'slip' is coated or 'cast' onto a carrier sheet then dried. The dry 'green sheets' or 'ceramic tape' is then removed from the carrier, printed with conductive ink patterns, then cut sheet layers are stacked (accurately registered). This stack is furthermore compacted into a solid "thick" sheet from less than one to several mm thick.

This sheet of many, many layers ( from 4 to 500 layers) is accurately cut into small pieces, then 'fired' in a red-hot oven, or 'kiln'. High temperature burns away plastic binders, and allows the ceramic particles to 'fuse' together, making an almost indestructible electrical part.

Electronics Uses:

Predominantly, capacitors are made by this stacking process, but other 'passive' electronic components are also made this way. Extremely large numbers of these devices are used to make Cell Phones, Personal Data Assistants (PDA'S), MP3 Music Players, Digital Cameras, and other small/personal electronics.

Other Uses:

Many devices requiring inert, economically produced, very high temperature tolerant structural materials are making use of ceramics produced by building up thin (and rapidly produced) ceramic layers. Other existing and exciting new uses for ceramic layers as wide-temperature-range ion permeable membranes for sensors and gas processing equipment also benefit from the flexibility and convenience of casting and laminating ceramic 'green sheets'.

Yasui Seiki Involvement:

We are proud to be the global leader for casting machines and technology for thin (2 μ to 20μ) green sheets. Our machines coat superb green sheets at 50⁺ m/min. Our machines maintain excellent profile, which is critical when stacking hundreds of layers.

Our work continues to improve our drying technology to push higher casting speeds for thick (> 0.5 mm) ceramic tapes. We are using safe under-bed heaters and tight control of air movement while the freshly cast tape is in the 'shiny' sensitive state. Later drying is by high mass transfer, patented "Step Air Bar" nozzles.

Yasui Seiki has pushed ceramic profile uniformity and repeatability through improvements in Slot Dies, Slot Die mounting precision, carrier web speed uniformity, and tension uniformity. Contact us, we'll be happy to prove our capabilities to you.