Automotive Grade
Capacitors
AEC-Q200
AEC-Q200 Automotive Grade Capacitors
At Knowles Precision Devices (KPD) we manufacture Single Layer,
Multilayer, High Reliability and Precision Variable Capacitors; EMI
Filters and Thin Film Devices.
One of our fields of expertise is the design and manufacture of
components important to engineers in the automotive industry.
Today’s vehicles have many electronic control units that enable
absolute precision and control.
The Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Component Technical
Committee is the standardization body for establishing standards
for reliable, high quality electronic components. Components
meeting these specifications are suitable for use in the harsh
automotive environment without additional component-level
qualification testing.
The Component Technical Committee established AEC-Q200
“Stress Test Qualification for Passive Components” to define the
minimum stress test driven qualification requirements for passive
electrical devices including ceramic capacitors.
KPD’s Syfer brand has developed a range of MLC capacitors and
surface mount EMI filters qualified to AEC-Q200 rev D to meet the
needs of high reliability and automotive manufacturers.
Knowles Suzhou (China), Norwich (England) & Penang (Malaysia)
facilities are accredited to IATF 16949:2016 for the design,
manufacture and supply of AEC-Q200 qualified MLCC components.
Please refer to the following pages for details of the product
ranges offered.
Contents
General &
Technical
Introduction
Dielectric classifications and characteristics
............................................................................4-6
FlexiCap™
..............................................................................................................................7
IECQ-CECC and AEC-Q200 Periodic Tests ..................................................................................8
Manufacturing processes .........................................................................................................9
Testing .................................................................................................................................10
Regulations and Compliance ..................................................................................................11
Explanation on Ageing of MLC
................................................................................................12
Handling, Storage, Soldering and Mechanical Precautions.................................................... 13-14
Packaging Information - Ceramic chip capacitors ................................................................ 15-16
Chip Dimensions ...................................................................................................................17
Automotive Grade - AEC-Q200 ranges - C0G/NP0 (1B) ........................................................ 18-19
Automotive Grade - AEC-Q200 ranges - X7R (2R1) ............................................................. 20-21
Chip Ordering Information .....................................................................................................22
StackiCap™ - X7R (2R1)
........................................................................................................23
Safety Certified Capacitors
................................................................................................ 24-26
Open Mode - C0G/NP0 (1B) & X7R (2R1) ................................................................................27
Tandem - X7R (2R1) ..............................................................................................................28
High Temperature - X8R - 150ºC ............................................................................................29
Ultra-low ESR HiQ MLCCs - X8G range ............................................................................... 30-31
Surface Mount EMI Filters - E01 & E07............................................................................... 32-33
X2Y Integrated Passive Components - E03 ......................................................................... 34-35
MLC
Capacitors
E-Compressor Inverter
(1.5kW-5kW)
1808-2220
250V-4kV -
C0G/NP0 (1B)
X7R (2R1)
Wireless Power
Charging
(Typical 11kW)
1210-3640
630V-3kV -
C0G/NP0 (1B)
On-Board
AC/DC Charger
(3.3kW-20kW)
0805-3640
250V-4kV -
C0G/NP0 (1B)
X7R (2R1)
250Vac -
Safety X1/Y2
SM EMI Filters
Traction Inverter
1206-2220
630V-1.5kV
C0G/NP0 (1B)
X7R (2R1)
Wireless Power
Charger Tx
Grid
E-Compressor
12V
Load
Wireless Power
Charger Rx
DC/DC
OBC
H/V
Battery
BMS
Motor
Traction
Inverter
Boost
DC/DC
AEC-Q200 approved ranges -
pages 18-21
StackiCap™ Capacitors -
page 23
PTC
Heater
FC
H2
Station
PTC Heater Controller
1206-3640
630V-4kV -
X7R (2R1) Caps
1nF-1µF
E01/E07 EMI Filter
Battery Management
System
Fuel Cell Booster
Converter
1812-3640
500V-2kV -
C0G/NP0 (1B)
X7R (2R1)
up to 2.2µF
Safety Certified
Capacitors -
pages 24-26
Open Mode & Tandem Capacitors -
pages 27-28
DC/DC Converter
(1kW-3kW)
1206-2220
250V-2kV -
X7R (2R1)
1nF-1µF
FlexiCap™
0805-3640
1kV-4kV -
X7R (2R1) Caps
100pF-10nF
Open Mode & Tandem Caps
Electric / New Energy Vehicle - BEV/HEV/PHEV/FCV
2
www.knowlescapacitors.com
High Temperature Capacitors -
pages 29-31
www.knowlescapacitors.com
Surface Mount EMI Filters -
pages 32-35
3
Dielectric characteristics
Class I Dielectrics
Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors are generally divided into classes
which are defined by the capacitance temperature characteristics
over specified temperature ranges. These are designated by alpha
numeric codes. Code definitions are summarised below and are also
available in the relevant national and international specifications.
Capacitors within this class have a dielectric constant range from
10 to 100. They are used in applications which require ultra stable
dielectric characteristics with negligible dependence of capacitance
and dissipation factor with time, voltage and frequency. They
exhibit the following characteristics:-
a) Time does not significantly affect capacitance and dissipation
factor (Tan
δ)
– no ageing.
b) Capacitance and dissipation factor are not affected by voltage.
c) Linear temperature coefficient.
Dielectric characteristics
Class II Dielectrics
Capacitors of this type have a dielectric constant range of 1000-
4000 and also have a non-linear temperature characteristic which
exhibits a dielectric constant variation of less than ±15% (2R1)
from its room temperature value, over the specified temperature
range. Generally used for by-passing (decoupling), coupling,
filtering, frequency discrimination, DC blocking and voltage transient
suppression with greater volumetric efficiency than Class I units,
whilst maintaining stability within defined limits.
Capacitance and dissipation factor are affected by:-
a) Time (Ageing)
b) Voltage (AC or DC)
c) Frequency
Class I Dielectrics
C0G/
NP0 (1B)
(Porcelain)
Ultra stable
Dielectric
classifications
IECQ-CECC
EIA
MIL
DLI
Ordering code
Novacap
Syfer
Voltronics
Rated
temperature
range
Maximum
capacitance
change over
temperature
range
Tangent of loss
angle (tan δ)
No DC voltage
applied
Rated DC
voltage applied
≤0.0005
@1MHz
-
C0G/NP0 (1B)
-
CF
-
-
F
-55ºC to
+125ºC
0 ±15 ppm/ºC
Class II Dielectrics
X8G
Ultra stable
-
X8G
-
-
-
-
-
F
-
-
-55ºC to
+160ºC
P90
(Porcelain)
Ultra stable
-
P90
-
AH
-
-
H
-55ºC to
+125ºC
0 ±20 ppm/ºC
-
-
C0G/NP0 (1B)
Ultra stable
1B/CG
C0G/NP0 (1B)
CG (BP)
-
N, RN
C
-
-55ºC to +125ºC
Class I
High Temperature
Ultra stable
-
-
-
-
D, RD
G
-
-55ºC to
+200ºC
X5R
Stable
-
X5R
-
-
BW
P
-
-55ºC to
+85ºC
±15%
-
±15%
+15 -45%
2C1
-
BZ
-
-
R
-
X7R (2R1)
Stable
2R1
X7R (2R1)
-
-
B, RB
X
X
-55ºC to
+125ºC
±15%
-
±15%
+15 -25%
2X1
-
BX
-
X
B
-
X8R
Stable
-
X8R
-
-
S
N
-
-55ºC to
+150ºC
±15%
-
Class II
High Temperature
Stable
-
-
-
-
G
-
-
-55ºC to
+160ºC
+15 -40%
-
-
-
-
-
E, RE
X
-
-55ºC to
+200ºC
+15 -65%
-
No DC voltage
applied
Rated DC
voltage applied
IECQ-CECC
EIA
MIL
DLI
Novacap
Syfer
Voltronics
Rated
temperature
range
Maximum
capacitance
change over
temperature
range
Tangent of loss
angle (tan δ)
Ordering code
Dielectric
classifications
-
-
H
-
-55ºC to
+150ºC
Q, U
Q
-55ºC to
+125ºC
0 ±30 ppm/ºC
0 ±30 ppm/ºC
-
>50pF <0.0015
<50pF
0.0015 (15 + 0.7)
Cr
100GΩ or 1000s
(whichever is the least)
0 ±30 ppm/ºC 0 ±30 ppm/ºC 0 ±30 ppm/ºC
≤0.0005 @1MHz
≤0.0005
@1MHz
≤
0.001
@25ºC = 100GΩ or 1000ΩF
@160ºC & 200ºC = 1GΩ or
10ΩF
(whichever is the least)
≤ 0.025
Typical*
>25V
<0.025
<25V <0.035
<0.025
<0.025
Insulation
resistance (Ri)
Time constant
(Ri x Cr)
Cr <4.7pF
@25ºC
= 10
6
MΩ min
@125ºC = 10
5
MΩ min
100GΩ or 1000s
(whichever is the least)
Time constant
(Ri x Cr)
Insulation
resistance (Ri)
±0.05pF, ±0.10pF, ±0.25pF, ±0.5pF
±0.10pF, ±0.25pF, ±0.5pF
±1%, ±2%, ±5%, ±10%
2.5 times
2.5 times
2.5 times
N/A
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
55/125/56
55/125/21
55/125/56
Zero
Rated voltage +250V
1.5 times
1.25 times
1.2 times
-
-
-
-
-
-
55/85/56
-
-
5%
Typical
-
-
-
QC-32100
-
55/125/56
55/125/21
55/125/56
1.5 times
1.2 times
55/150/56
-
-
<2% per time decade
-
-
QC-32100
-
Syfer Chip
-
-
-
2.5 times
Rated voltage +250V
<200V
>200V to
<500V
500V to <1kV
>1kV
Capacitance
Tolerance
Cr >4.7 to
<10pF
Cr >10pF
±5%, ±10%, ±20%
Capacitance
Tolerance
Dielectric
strength
Voltage applied
for 5 seconds.
Charging
current limited
to 50mA
maximum.
<200V
>200V to
<500V
500V to <1kV
>1kV to
<1.2kV
>1.2kV
Chip
Dipped
Discoidal
Dielectric
strength
Voltage applied
for 5 seconds.
Charging
current limited
to 50mA
maximum.
Chip
Dipped
Discoidal
Climatic
category (IEC)
Ageing
characteristic
(Typical)
Approvals
Climatic
category (IEC)
Ageing
characteristic
(Typical)
Approvals
Syfer Chip
-
-
-
QC-32100
* Refer to the MLC Capacitors catalogue for details of Dissipation Factor.
4
www.knowlescapacitors.com
www.knowlescapacitors.com
5
Dielectric characteristics
Typical dielectric temperature characteristics
Porcelain C0G/NP0 (1B) & P90
1.25
1
FlexiCap™ overview
Impedance vs Frequency
Ultra Stable C0G/NP0 (1B) dielectric
100000000
FlexiCap™ termination
MLCCs are widely used in electronic circuit design for a multitude of
applications. Their small package size, technical performance and
suitability for automated assembly makes them the component of
choice for the specifier.
However, despite the technical benefits, ceramic components are
brittle and need careful handling on the production floor. In some
circumstances they may be prone to mechanical stress damage if
not used in an appropriate manner. Board flexing, depanelisation,
mounting through hole components, poor storage and automatic
testing may all result in cracking.
10000
working in partnership with customers world wide, to eliminate
mechanical cracking.
An additional benefit of FlexiCap™ is that MLCCs can withstand
temperature cycling -55ºC to 125ºC in excess of 1,000 times
without cracking.
FlexiCap™ termination has no adverse effect on any electrical
parameters, nor affects the operation of the MLCC in any way.
●
Picture taken at 1,000x
Impedance (Ohms)
10000000
1000000
100000
10000
1000
100
10
1
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
10pF
1nF
100pF
10nF
Capacitance Change %
0.75
0.5
0.25
0
-0.25
-0.5
-0.75
-1
-55
-40
C0G/NP0 (1B) Porcelain
P90 Porcelain
100
1000
Frequency (MHz)
Stable X7R (2R1) dielectric
1000000
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
125
C0G/NP0 (1B)
50
UPPER LIMIT
Temperature (ºC)
Impedance (Ohms)
100000
10000
1000
100
10
1
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
1nF
100nF
10nF
1µF
Careful process control is important at all stages of circuit board
assembly and transportation - from component placement to
test and packaging. Any significant board flexing may result in
stress fractures in ceramic devices that may not always be evident
during the board assembly process. Sometimes it may be the end
customer who finds out - when equipment fails!
magnification using a SEM
to demonstrate the fibrous
nature of the FlexiCap
TM
termination that absorbs
increased levels of
mechanical stress.
Knowles has the solution - FlexiCap™
FlexiCap™
has been developed as a result of listening to customers’
experiences of stress damage to MLCCs from many manufacturers,
often caused by variations in production processes.
Our answer is a proprietary flexible epoxy polymer termination
material, that is applied to the device under the usual nickel barrier
finish. FlexiCap™
will accommodate a greater degree of board
bending than conventional capacitors.
Available on the following ranges:
●
All High Reliability ranges
●
Standard and High Voltage Capacitors
●
Open Mode and Tandem Capacitors
●
Safety Certified Capacitors
●
Non-magnetic Capacitors
●
3 terminal EMI chips
25
TYPICAL LIMIT
C ppm/°C
100
1000
10000
0
Frequency (MHz)
Stable
Stable X7R (2R1) dielectric - 10nF
X7R dielectric 10nF
Knowles FlexiCap™ termination
0805
1210
-25
100000
Impedance (Ohms)
Impedance (Ohms)
LOWER LIMIT
10000
1000
100
10
1
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
1808
1206
-50
-55
-25
0
25
50
75
100
125
X7R (2R1)
20
15
Temperature (ºC)
Ranges are available with FlexiCap™ termination material offering
increased reliability and superior mechanical performance (board
flex and temperature cycling) when compared with standard
termination materials. Refer to Knowles application note reference
AN0001. FlexiCap™ capacitors enable the board to be bent
almost twice as much before mechanical cracking occurs. Refer to
application note AN0002.
FlexiCap™ is also suitable for Space applications having passed
thermal vacuum outgassing tests. Refer to Syfer application note
reference AN0026.
Fired ceramic
dielectric
●
X2Y Integrated Passive Components
●
X8R High Temperature capacitors
Summary of PCB bend test results
The bend tests conducted on X7R (2R1) have proven that the
FlexiCap™
termination withstands a greater level of mechanical
stress before mechanical cracking occurs.
The AEC-Q200 test for X7R (2R1) requires a bend level of 2mm
minimum and a cap change of less than 10%.
Product
X7R (2R1)
Standard termination
FlexiCap™
Typical bend performance under
AEC-Q200 test conditions
2mm to 3mm
Typically 8mm to 10mm
Capacitance Change %
10
5
0
-5
-10
Typical capacitance change curves
will lie within the shown limits
100
1000
10000
Frequency
(MHz)
Frequency
(MHz)
ESR vs Frequency - chips
Ultra Stable C0G/NP0 (1B) dielectric
1000
100
100pF
1nF
10nF
Tin outer
layer
ESR (Ohms)
-15
-20
-55
-35
-15
5
25
45
65
85
105
125
10
1
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.001
Metal
electrodes
Intermediate nickel
or copper layer
Application notes
FlexiCap™
may be handled, stored and transported in the same
manner as standard terminated capacitors. The requirements for
mounting and soldering FlexiCap™
are the same as for standard
SMD capacitors.
For customers currently using standard terminated capacitors there
should be no requirement to change the assembly process when
converting to FlexiCap™.
Based upon board bend tests in accordance with IEC 60384-1
the amount of board bending required to mechanically crack a
FlexiCap™ terminated capacitor is significantly increased compared
with standard terminated capacitors.
It must be stressed however, that capacitor users must not
assume that the use of FlexiCap™
terminated capacitors will totally
eliminate mechanical cracking. Good process controls are still
required for this objective to be achieved.
Temperature (ºC)
termination
base
FlexiCap™ MLCC cross section
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
1000
10000
Frequency (MHz)
FlexiCap™ benefits
With traditional termination materials and assembly, the chain
of materials from bare PCB to soldered termination, provides no
flexibility. In circumstances where excessive stress is applied - the
weakest link fails. This means the ceramic itself, which may fail
short circuit.
The benefit to the user is to facilitate a wider process window -
giving a greater safety margin and substantially reducing the typical
root causes of mechanical stress cracking.
FlexiCap™ may be soldered using your traditional wave or reflow
solder techniques including lead free and needs no adjustment to
equipment or current processes.
Stable X7R (2R1) dielectric
10000
1000
1nF
10nF
100nF
1µF
ESR (Ohms)
100
10
1
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
1000
10000
Frequency (MHz)
Knowles has delivered millions of FlexiCap™
components and
during that time has collected substantial test and reliability data,
6
www.knowlescapacitors.com
www.knowlescapacitors.com
7
IECQ-CECC and AEC-Q200
Periodic tests conducted for IECQ-CECC and AEC-Q200
Test
ref
Test
High
temperature
exposure
(storage)
Temperature
cycling
Moisture
resistance
Biased
humidity
Operational
life
Resistance
to solvents
Mechanical
shock
Termination type
Additional requirements
P
All types
Un-powered. 1,000 hours @ T=150ºC.
Measurement at 24 ± 2 hours after test conclusion
12
Periodic tests
Sample
acceptance
N
77
C
0
MIL-STD-202
Method 108
Reference
Manufacturing processes
Production process flowchart
Ceramic powder
preparation
Electrode ink
material
Space
Grade
ESCC 3009
(1)
MIL Grade
Knowles reliability grades
High reliability
(space quality)
P1
Multilayer build
P2
C0G/NP0 (1B):
All types X7R (2R1):
Y and H only
All types
1,000 cycles -55ºC to +125ºC
Measurement at 24 ± 2 hours after test conclusion
T = 24 hours/cycle. Note: Steps 7a and 7b not required. Un-
powered.
Measurement at 24 ± 2 hours after test conclusion
1,000 hours 85ºC/85%RH. Rated voltage or 50V
whichever is the least and 1.5V.
Measurement at 24 ± 2 hours after test conclusion
Condition D steady state TA=125ºC at full rated.
Measurement at 24 ± 2 hours after test conclusion
Note: Add aqueous wash chemical.
Do not use banned solvents
Figure 1 of Method 213. Condition F
12
77
0
JESD22
Method JA-104
MIL-STD-202
Method 106
MIL-STD-202
Method 103
IECQ-CECC
(2)
AEC-Q200
(3)
Standard components
Standard
reliability
Fire
P3
12
77
0
Rumble
Notes:
1) Space grade tested in accordance with ESCC3009 (refer to Knowles
Spec S02A 0100) or MIL Grade (in accordance with MIL-PRF-123, MIL-
PRF-55681).
2) IECQ-CECC. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Quality
Assessment System for Electronic Components. This is an internationally
recognised product quality certification which provides customers with
assurance that the product supplied meets high quality standards.
View Knowles IECQ-CECC approvals at http://www.iecq.org or at
www.knowlescapacitors.com
P4
All types
12
77
0
DPA inspection
12
12
77
5
0
0
MIL-STD-202
Method 108
MIL-STD-202
Method 215
MIL-STD-202
Method 213
(if specified)
P5
P6
All types
All types
C0G/NP0 (1B):
All types X7R (2R1):
Y and H only
Termination
P7
12
30
0
Plating
3) AEC-Q200. Automotive Electronics Council Stress Test Qualification
For Passive Components. Refer to Knowles application note reference
AN0009.
P8
Vibration
C0G/NP0 (1B):
All types X7R (2R1):
Y and H only
5g’s for 20 minutes, 12 cycles each of 3 orientations.
Note: Use 8” x 5” PCB 0.031” thick 7 secure points on one long
side and 2 secure points at corners of opposite sides. Parts
mounted within 2” from any secure point.
Test from 10-2,000Hz
Condition B, no pre-heat of samples:
Single wave solder - Procedure 2
12
30
0
MIL-STD-202
Method 204
Printing
(if specified)
Knowles reliability surface mount product groups
High reliability
P9
Resistance to
soldering heat
All types
3
12
0
MIL-STD-202
Method 210
Electrical test
Tandem
FlexiCap
TM
capacitors
(1)
Open Mode
FlexiCap
TM
capacitors
(2)
Standard FlexiCap
TM
capacitors
(3)
P10
Thermal shock
C0G/NP0 (1B):
All types X7R (2R1):
Y and H only
-55ºC/+125ºC. Number of cycles 300.
Maximum transfer time - 20 seconds,
dwell time - 15 minutes. Air-Air
12
30
0
MIL-STD-202
Method 107
Test verification
P11
Adhesion,
rapid temp
change and
climatic
sequence
X7R (2R1):
A, F and J only
5N force applied for 10s, -55ºC/ +125ºC for 5 cycles,
damp heat cycles
12
27
0
BS EN132100
Clause 4.8, 4.12
and 4.13
Additional sample
Rel tests
(if specified)
Standard MLC capacitors
(4)
Standard
reliability
P12
Board flex
C0G/NP0 (1B):
All types X7R (2R1):
Y and H only
X7R (2R1):
A, F and J only
All types
All types
Notes:
3mm deflection Class I
2mm deflection Class II
12
30
0
AEC-Q200-005
1) “Tandem” construction capacitors, ie internally having the equivalent
of 2 series capacitors. If one of these should fail short-circuit, there is still
capacitance end to end and the chip will still function as a capacitor,
although capacitance maybe affected. Refer to application note AN0021.
Also available qualified to AEC-Q200.
2) “Open Mode” capacitors with FlexiCap
TM
termination also reduce the
possibility of a short circuit by utilising inset electrode margins. Refer to
application note AN0022. Also available qualified to AEC-Q200.
3) Multilayer capacitors with Knowles FlexiCap
TM
termination. By using
FlexiCap
TM
termination, there is a reduced possibility of the mechanical
cracking occurring.
4) “Standard” capacitors includes MLCCs with tin finish over nickel but no
FlexiCap
TM
.
QC inspection
1mm deflection.
12
12
0
BS EN132100
Clause 4.9
AEC-Q200-006
AEC-Q200-003
BS EN132100
Clause 4.14
P13
Board flex
Terminal
strength
Beam load
test
Damp heat
steady state
P14
P15
Force of 1.8kg for 60 seconds
-
56 days, 40ºC / 93% RH 15x no volts, 15x 5Vdc,
15x rated voltage or 50V whichever is the least.
12
12
30
30
0
0
(S02A 100% burn-in, QC insp)
Additional Hi Rel
activities
P16
All types
12
45
0
Packaging
Test results are available on request.
P = Period in months.
N = Sample size.
C = Acceptance criteria.
Finished goods store
8
www.knowlescapacitors.com
www.knowlescapacitors.com
9
