The discussion concerning cracked MLC capacitors has by now brought up a number of possible failure mechanisms which should be considered when dealing with the problem. In our experience, cracked capacitor failures had been almost always found on boards where some type of standoffs or bulkheads were secured to the boards after electrical components were installed, and/or on boards which were populated with IC sockets. It was fairly easy to see that physical stresses were applied to the boards as the mechanical components and IC's were being installed. What was not so easy to accomplish was to convince the production people that such stresses could in fact fracture the capacitors. Implementing several simple fixture to relieve stresses acting on the boards took care of our problems very nicely. I can't remember the last time I saw a cracked MLC capacitor. Regards, Myron Papiz