Samsung Electro-Mechanics develops 13 types of MLCC for automotive powertrains

MLCCs for power systems, guaranteed up to 150 degrees Celsius

- Released 13 different sizes and capacitances of automotive MLCCs

- Plans to provide new products to global automotive parts manufacturers

Samsung Electro-Mechanics expands automotive MLCC lineup, aggressively targeting the automotive market - Gaining market share in the high-reliability automotive MLCC market currently dominated by a few companies

- Enhance market responsiveness through diversified businesses such as IT, automobiles and networks

Samsung Electro-Mechanics has developed high-temperature MLCCs (chip multilayer ceramic capacitors) that can be used in automotive power systems and is actively targeting the automotive market.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics' MLCC

Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 11th that it has developed 13 types of automotive MLCCs that guarantee an operating temperature of 150 degrees Celsius and plans to provide them to global automotive parts manufacturers. Only a few companies can produce high-reliability automotive MLCCs that can be used in an environment of 150 degrees. Now that Samsung Electro-Mechanics has successfully entered the market, it will further work to enrich its automotive parts lineup, improve product competitiveness, and expand its market share.

The new products are available in a variety of sizes and capacities, ranging from the high capacitance 3225 model (3.2 mm wide and 2.5 mm long) at 22uF (microfarads) to the small size 1608 model at 220nF (nanofarads).

(3225: 22uF, 4.7uF, 2.2uF (3 types); 3216: 10uF, 2.2uF, 1uF (3 types); 2012: 10uF, 4.7uF, 2.2uF, 1uF, 470nF, 220nF (6 types); 1608: 220nF (1 type))

-- Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are core components of electronic devices that control the steady flow of electric current in electronic circuits and are essential for products such as smartphones, home appliances and automobiles.

The powertrain requires high reliability of internal components because powering a vehicle’s core drive system, such as an internal combustion engine or an electric vehicle motor, requires high power consumption and generates a lot of heat, so internal operating temperatures can rise to 150 degrees Celsius.

However, in an environment with a temperature higher than the guaranteed temperature, MLCC will often reduce the capacitance to ensure normal operation. Generally speaking, the guaranteed temperature of IT equipment is 85 degrees Celsius, that of electrical equipment is 125 degrees Celsius, but the power system requires 150 degrees Celsius.

The newly developed MLCC can operate normally without reducing capacitance even in extreme environments of 150 degrees Celsius. Due to the complexity of raw material development and construction technology, such products are currently produced by only a few companies.

Kim Dooyoung, head of Samsung's Electro-Mechanical Component Solutions Division, said: "Automotive products used in extreme environments are more difficult to develop than IT equipment products, and powertrain applications are the most difficult to develop. We will use differentiated materials and manufacturing technologies, such as in-house development of non-conductive materials, to further expand our influence in the automotive MLCC market."

The electrification of automobiles is driving the demand for small-size, high-performance, and high-reliability MLCCs. The automotive MLCC market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% as efficient fuel consumption in ICE and electric vehicles and the number of sensors and electronic control units (ECUs) for motor control increase.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics is developing a lineup of high-value-added automotive products with high-temperature, high-voltage and high-reliability characteristics based on its technological advantages in ultra-compact and ultra-high-capacity MLCCs, and is expanding the supply of MLCCs to global automotive parts manufacturers and automobile manufacturers.