Cracking Ceramic SMT Capacitors

" Is anyone else seeing an increase in the number of cracked and shorting
ceramic chip capacitors?  In our experience as a contract manufacturer we
have, in the past, seen the occasional instance of ceramic capacitors
cracking and shorting out. The cause of this problem is generally obvious,
as it is isolated to components situated in areas of the PCB that are
subject to flexing.

Recently however we have seen more frequent instances of this problem; very
often in areas of the board that should not be experiencing any appreciable
flex. Our process has not changed and neither have our sources of these
components. Have chip capacitors themselves become more fragile?"

Rod Lafond
Manager, Quality Assurance and Technical Training
APEX-Micro Manufacturing Corporation
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