TDK Unveils 100V 10µF Soft-Termination MLCC for 48V EV Power Systems

TDK has added a 100 V, 10 μF X7R multilayer ceramic capacitor to its CN series of low-resistance soft-termination parts. The capacitor measures 3.2 x 2.5 x 2.5 mm in the 3225 case size, and TDK rates that capacitance as the highest available at 100 V in the format. X7R is the industry code for a Class II dielectric that holds its capacitance within ±15% from -55° C to 125° C.

Soft-termination MLCCs place a conductive resin layer between the ceramic element and the outer electrode, so board flex and other external stress deform the resin instead of cracking the ceramic. That resin also sits in the current path, and it raises equivalent series resistance (ESR). TDK says the CN series avoids the penalty through an optimized resin electrode structure that holds terminal resistance at the level of its standard-termination parts.

Changes to material selection and product design give the capacitor twice the capacitance of TDK’s conventional parts in the same case size while reducing ESR, according to the company, which puts the resulting saving at half the MLCCs in a given mounting area.

The capacitors are intended for smoothing and decoupling on 48 V power lines in electrified vehicles and industrial equipment. Capacitance of this order absorbs ripple from the switching stage and holds the bus up through load steps, and the 100 V rating leaves margin above the nominal bus voltage.

Higher bus voltages carry a given power at lower current, which cuts resistive loss and allows lighter wiring harnesses. TDK ties the demand for larger capacitance on 100 V-rated parts to that move to 48 V.

TDK qualifies the parts to AEC-Q200 for automotive use and also offers them for general applications. Mass production is scheduled to begin in September 2026.

Source: TDK