Samsung Electro-Mechanics has successfully developed a new ultra-small, high-capacity MLCC with the world's highest performance, and is poised to dominate the high-value-added IT MLCC market.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 15th that it has developed the world's first product with a 0402 size (0.4mm wide x 0.2mm high), 1.0uF (microfarad) capacity, and 6.3V (volt) rated voltage.

Since MLCCs supply current to key components such as semiconductors, their most important characteristics are electrical capacity and rated voltage (durability to withstand high voltage). Since more than 1,000 MLCCs are installed in devices such as smartphones, the smaller the MLCC, the more competitive it is.

This product also boasts industry-leading DC BIAS characteristics (the characteristic of a product's capacity decreasing when DC voltage is applied; the smaller the change, the better), enhancing product life and operational stability.

The 0402 size is an ultra-small product for which market demand has recently surged. Due to technological advancements like 5G and the inclusion of diverse features like multi-cameras, MLCCs capable of withstanding large capacities and high voltages in an ultra-small size are essential. However, up until now, 0402 size 1uF MLCCs have been limited to 4V level, which has limited their application in IT devices.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics explained that through this development, it was able to maintain the high capacitance characteristic of 1.0uF in an ultra-small 0402 size while increasing the rated voltage by 1.5 times (4V → 6.3V), enabling application to various high-performance IT devices.

To secure a leading edge in the MLCC market, Samsung Electro-Mechanics formed a task force last year comprised of experts in materials, processes, and equipment. Samsung Electro-Mechanics developed and applied new technologies across all areas, from materials to manufacturing and analysis, to develop ultra-small, high-capacity, and high-voltage products.

In particular, we have secured nano (less than 1/1,000th the thickness of a hair) fine powder processing technology to implement ultra-thin dielectrics, and have improved reliability by introducing semiconductor process analysis techniques into the manufacturing process.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Vice President Kim Du-young, head of the Component Business Division, said, “This product is the first in the industry to achieve ultra-small size, maximum capacity, and high rated voltage,” and added, “It can proactively respond to the rapidly growing demand for ultra-small, high-performance, and high-reliability MLCCs due to the commercialization of 5G mobile communications, the increase in demand for electronic devices due to non-face-to-face interactions, and the electrification of automobiles.”

Additionally, Samsung Electro-Mechanics stated, “We will secure a leading position in the market based on differentiated technologies such as internalization of key raw materials and development of next-generation equipment.”

Meanwhile, Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced at its shareholders' meeting in March that it would "further expand its market share in the IT-use MLCC sector, which is Samsung Electro-Mechanics' main business, and by leading the way in thin-layer product technology, it would also gradually increase its market share in the automotive and industrial sectors."