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