A multilayer ceramic capacitor, or MLCC, is a non-polarized ceramic capacitor constructed with stacked ceramic dielectric layers with inner metallic electrodes. Its layered design increases capacitance with compact SMD packaging, so it is easily connected on PCB boards. Multiple ceramic capacitors are employed for different functions, such as RF circuits, power decoupling, filtering, etc.
In this study, we will cover details of the features of multilayer ceramic capacitors and their importance for electronic circuits. So let’s get started
What Is a Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor?
A multilayer ceramic capacitor is part of a capacitor composed of different ceramic layers that work as a dielectric. These capacitors are basically single-layer capacitors stacked in single packages.
Construction of MLCC composites with multiple metallic electrode layers and dielectric ceramic layers.
This capacitor gets charged and discharged for a short time. Its main features are providing current flow regulation and controlling electromagnetic interference of components.
In this capacitor, single dielectric thickness and stacked layer numbers are directly proportional to the capacitance of this capacitor.
To make each layer thin, a different process is applied for stacking more layers to make ultra-small, high-capacity capacitors.
This multiple-layer structure increases capacity with the same dimensions and is used in applications where speed is restricted
Their compact design and non-polarized behavior, at high frequencies, make them useful for different applications such as industrial control, the vehicle industry, communication devices, and power supply
Construction of a Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor
MLCC is like a small parallel plate capacitor configured in one assembly. The structure of an MLCC is.
Multilayer ceramic capacitor has a strong structure, a metallic component constructed with ceramic dielectric layers and metallic electrodes in alternative configuration.
Electrode layers, such as configured electrodes, make connections at opposite points alternatively.
Small capacitors, like assemblies, are obtained with each electrode pair since internal capacitors connected in a parallel configuration have a very high overall capacitance according to layers and electrodes
The ends of the capacitor are metallic-coated points, and their plating makes a solderable area. In new technology, nickel internal electrodes have been used since the introduction of bulk construction
How to Manufacture MLCC
A proper binder helps thin ceramic foil with powder suspension. same-size sheet cut from foil rolls that screen print through metallic paste that are electrode.
With automated techniques, sheets stacked with the required layers are made solid. Electrodes stacked in an alternative way with space for alternative layer connections. Stacked, layered, pressed and cut into single pieces.
This process demands high accuracy for bulk layers. Since this capacitor comes with a different number of layers according to the requirements of voltage and capacitance
When cutting finished stacks, burn through the binder. that occurs with sintering at around 1200 degrees centigrade temprature make crystalline structure.
Burning gives the required dielectric features. After burning, a cleaning process is performed, then metallisation. After that, layered, stacked and compressed. With metallisation, electrodes are connected in a parallel configuration and form capacitor terminals.
Since these capacitors lead less, they are small in size. They do not need through-holes for PCB board mounting configured with machines. that make some components low cost
How MLCC works
After applying voltage to capacitors, reverse charges store over internal electrodes. Ceramic dielectric exists between electrodes and stores energy in the form of an electric field.
Internal layers are connected in parallel; the capacitor has features for storing charge in its structure.
When the DC supply capacitor draws zero leakage current. But when connected, charging and discharging occur fast, which is used for decoupling and filtering.
Low series resistance and low equivalent series inductance of a capacitor are best for high-frequency noise and high-speed load transients.
MLCC CEMS with self-resonant frequency: if the value is less than the frequency, it functions like a capacitor. for high-frequency parasite inductance work, and work like an inductor. This feature helps minimize impedance at higher frequency values
MLCC Dielectric Types
Commonly used dielectrics for capacitors are
| Dielectric | Characteristic | uses |
| C0G / NP0 | Very stable, low loss | RF, precision filtering, resonant circuits |
| X7R | High capacitance density | Decoupling and power filtering |
| X5R | High capacitance density for compact packages | Low-voltage power rails and portable electronics |
| Y5V / Z5U | high nominal capacitance, poorer stability | Limited non-precision applications |
Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors Electrical Characteristics
Some important characteristics are
Capacitance
The MLCC capacitor is defined based on the datasheet conditions and the NRMAY for room temperature for zero DC biasing. The datasheet does not provide the effective capacitance of the circuit. A normal value of tolerance exists, such as
| Dielectric Type | Capacitance Tolerance |
|---|---|
| C0G / NP0 | ±1%, ±2%, ±5% |
| X7R | ±10%, ±20% |
| X5R | ±10%, ±20% |
Arguerance accepted for decoupling and filtering. In timing, radio frequency, and high-accuracy analog circuits, stable direct current is used.
Voltage
MLCCs come with different voltage ratings and may range from 6.3 V up to 100 V or higher. Common design features are to use a voltage rating 1.5× to 2× higher than the highest operating voltage.
High voltage rating minimizes DC bias capacitance losses and the electric field for long-term reliability
Temperature
Temperature value is based on the dielectric code. C0G / NP0 MLCCs are stable for different temperature values. But X7R and X5R capacitors offer high capacitance changes with high capacitance density.
For small-level X5R used in industries, vehicles, and high-temperature X7R, X8R, and MLCCs used
ESR and ESL
This capacitor shows lower ESR and ESL values than different electrolytic and tantalum capacitors.
Low ESR minimizes resistance losses, and lower ESL helps the capacitor respond quickly to switching noise.
So MLCCs are used close to IC power pins, regulators, and high-speed digital circuits. But in some conditions, LWESR can cause resonance errors, so damping is used with MLCCs.
Frequency Response
This capacitor also has a self-resonant frequency where capacitive reactance and parasitic inductance cancel out.
MLCC acts like a capacitor below the self-resonant frequency and works as an inductor at high frequencies.
Small packages have lower equivalent series inductance (ESL) and a high self-resonant frequency. Larger packages provide high capacity but don’t work well for high frequencies.
So some structures offer variable values and package sizes, for example, 100 NF CSEs to IC pins.
Leakage and Dielectric Absorption
MLCC CMEs with low leakage current and are part of battery operating circuits. Dielectric absorption is low for C0G/NP0 parts.
In analog design, C0G is used compared to X7R or X5R.
Are multilayer ceramic capacitors polar?
Multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MCs) have two main types: polar and non-polar.
A nonpolar MLC is a symmetric structure and can be connected in any direction. A polar capacitor has an asymmetrical design that is connected in certain directions.
Positive and negative terminals are marked with a plus and minus sign so that they must be connected in the proper direction. Its orientation is also important for reducing overheating
Raw material for MLCC
Raw materials are used for making multilayer ceramic capacitors
Ceramic powder
Metal powder
Binder
Solvent
Glass or ceramic insulators
Use these materials properly and blended for making mixture for the required features for certain multi-layer ceramic capacitor features like voltage rating, temperature, and capacitance.
Applications of MLCC
Multi-layer ceramic capacitors are important and used in different applications, and some are
Consumer Electronics:
different devices such as tablets, smartphones, and computers. This is helpful for filtering and power stability; it helps devices to run properly.
Vehicle Industry:
For advanced vehicles, this capacitor is used for power supply filter circuits, noise suppression, and signal coupling.
That is helpful for advanced vehicle systems
Industries
MLCCs are part of industrial machines and control systems for handling power and controlling noise for safe device working
Telecomm sector
MLCCs are important for different devices such as switches and routers that filter signals for interference-free communications
Medical instruments:
MLCCs are also employed for medical devices to handle power and signal processing. These features make them important for the correct functioning of different tools such as heart monitoring systems.
Power Supply Units:
In power supplies, capacitors perform noise filtering and make stable voltage that is best for the accurate functioning of electronic circuits.
Multilayer ceramic capacitor sizes
Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MC) with different sizes according to projects and applications. Normally, some component capacities are some mm in length and width, and the through holes are larger sizes in hundreds of micrometers.
Ceramic layers define the size of the capacitor; the thickness of every single layer and capacitance value are also important.
Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor vs Different Capacitor Types
MLCC vs Electrolytic Capacitors
Electrolytic capacitors come with high values with tens to thousands of microfarads. These capacitors are a larger size and have a polar nature and higher ESR and ESL than MLCCs.
But MLCCs have low impedance at high frequencies, and electrolytics are inductive for high frequencies.
While the MLCC is a nonpolar design with a solid state and does not provide venting. Multi-layer ceramic capacitors are important and used in different applications, and some are
Consumer Electronics:
different devices such as tablets, smartphones, and computers. This is helpful for filtering and power stability; that helps devices to run properly.
Vehicle Industry:
For advanced vehicles, this capacitor is used for power supply filter circuits, noise suppression, and signal coupling.
That is helpful for advanced vehicle systems
Industries
MLCCs are part of industrial machines and control systems for handling power and controlling devices for safe device operation.
Telecomm sector
MLCCs are important for different devices such as switches and routers that filter signals for high-frequency communications
Medical instruments:
MLCCs are also employed for medical devices to handle power and signal processing. These features make them important for the correct functioning of different tools such as heart monitoring systems
Power Supply Units:
In power supplies, capacitors perform noise filtering and make stable voltage that is best for the accurate functioning of electronic circuits.
| Parameter | MLCC | Aluminum Electrolytic |
| Capacitance range | 0.1 pF–100 µF+ | 0.47 µF–100,000 µF |
| Typical voltage rating | 6.3–5,000 VDC | 6.3–630 VDC |
|  ESR | 2–200 mΩ | 20 mΩ–10 Ω |
|  ESL | ~0.2–2 nH | ~5–20 nH |
| Leakage current | Typically <1 µA | Typically 1–10,000 µA |
| Temperature range | −55 to +150°C | −55 to +150°C |
| ripple current | 0.1–10 A RMS | 0.05–10 A RMS |
| Dissipation factor | ~0.05–5% | ~5–20% |
| Polarity | Non-polarized | Polarized |
| Frequency capability | MHz–GHz | Typically Hz–100 kHz |
|  package | 0201–1812 SMD | Radial SMD/through-hole |
| Lifetime | Generally >10,000 h | ~1,000–15,000 h at rated temperature |
MLCC vs. Tantalum Capacitors
MLCC used for high-frequency decoupling due to nonpolar features with low ESR. but needs voltage derating and polarity control.
Titanium capacitors with high capacitance in small packages and stable capacitance value for DC bias.
but the MLCC’s nonpolar nature and safety work in normal operation. MLCC has low ESR for high frequency, and tantalum has constant capacitance features for DC biasing
| Parameter | MLCC | Tantalum |
| Capacitance range | 0.1 pF–100 µF+ | 0.1–1,500 µF |
| Typical voltage rating | 6.3–5,000 VDC | 2.5–125 VDC |
|  ESR | 2–200 mΩ | 20–1,500 mΩ |
|  ESL | ~0.2–2 nH | ~1–10 nH |
| Leakage current | Typically <1 µA | ~0.01–10 µA |
| Temperature range | −55 to +150°C | −55 to +175°C |
| Dissipation factor | ~0.05–5% | ~2–15% |
| Polarity | Non-polarized | Polarized |
| DC-bias effect | Can be significant | Generally low |
| Frequency range | MHz–GHz | kHz–MHz |
| package | 0201–1812 | 0402–7343 and larger |
| Voltage derating | Often required for Class 2 | Commonly 20–50% recommended |
MLCC vs. Film Capacitors
FIMcapacitgr offers high stability, high voltage, and less loss. but film capacitor uses high space compared to MLCC with the same capacitance value.
MLCC has high capacitance density, and film capacitors can handle high alternating current and voltage.
for high voltage and stable capacitance, film capacitance used
| Parameter | MLCC | Film |
| Capacitance range | 0.1 pF–100 µF+ | 10 pF–1,000 µF |
| Typical voltage rating | 6.3–5,000 VDC | 16–10,000 VDC |
|  ESR | 2–200 mΩ | 2–100 mΩ |
| ESL | ~0.2–2 nH | ~5–50 nH |
| Temperature range | −55 to +150°C | −55 to +150°C |
| Dissipation factor | ~0.05–5% | ~0.02–2% |
| Capacitance tolerance | ±0.05% to ±20% | ±1% to ±20% |
| Frequency capability | MHz–GHz | kHz–MHz |
| Pulse capability | Moderate–high | High |
| Polarity | Non-polarized | Non-polarized |
| Self-healing | Generally no | Yes, in metallized types |
| Typical size | Very small | Larger |
Ceramic Disc Capacitor vs Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor
A ceramic disc capacitor is constructed with a ceramic disc dielectric, and radial pins are through-hole capacitors. A multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) compact SMD chip constructed through different stacked ceramic and electrode layers.
But MLCCs are used for advanced board design due to high capacitance density.
Ceramic disc used in high-voltage applications, but ceramic disc capacitors are easy to identify and control manually, and MLC is best for high volume prjects
| Parameter | Ceramic Disc | MLCC |
| Capacitance range | 1 pF–100 nF+ | 0.1 pF–100 µF+ |
| voltage rating | 50–6,000 VDC | 6.3–5,000 VDC |
| tolerance | ±5% to ±20% | ±0.05% to ±20% |
| ESR | ~10 mΩ–1 Ω | ~2–200 mΩ |
| ESL | ~2–10 nH | ~0.2–2 nH |
| Temperature range | −25 to +125°C | −55 to +150°C |
| Capacitance density | Lower | Higher |
| Mounting | Through-hole | SMD |
| Typical frequency | kHz–100 MHz | MHz–GHz |
| Typical package/body | ~3–15 mm disc | 0201–1812+ |
| DC-bias sensitivity | Depends on dielectric | High for X5R/X7R |
| Typical voltage use | High-voltage circuits | PCB decoupling/filtering |
Single-Layer vs. Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor
Single-layer ceramic capacitor: one ceramic dielectric in 2 electrodes. Multi-layer capacitor: multiple ceramic dielectric layers, and internal electrodes in parallel configuration
MLCC cmes with high capacitance for SMA packages. Single-layer ceramic capacitor part of radio frequency, high voltage, and MLCC part of filtering projects
| Parameter | Single-Layer Ceramic | MLCC |
| Number of dielectric layers | $1 | 2 to 1,000+ |
| Capacitance range | ~0.1 pF–10 nF | ~0.1 pF–100 µF+ |
| voltage rating | 25–10,000 VDC | 6.3–5,000 VDC |
| Capacitance tolerance | ±0.05% to ±20% | ±0.05% to ±20% |
| ESR | ~10–500 mΩ | ~2–200 mΩ |
|  ESL | ~1–10 nH | ~0.2–2 nH |
| Capacitance density | Low | High |
| Temperature range | −55 to +200°C* | −55 to +150°C |
| Typical frequency | MHz–GHz | MHz–GHz |
| Package | Disc/SMD/specialized | Mainly SMD |
| Dielectric thickness | Typically tens–hundreds of µm | Typically ~1–20 µm/layer |
| Main advantage | High-Q/specialized applications | High capacitance in small package |
Selection factor of multilayer ceramic capacitor
There are different factors that help to choose multiple ceramic capacitors.
Capacitance value
First of all, select capacity according to project demand. After that, check the temperature and DC bias.
Dielectric
For applications where high accuracy is needed, COG is used. For high capacitance in filtering projects, X7R or X5R is used
Voltage Rating
Select a capacitor having a voltage rating more than the operating voltage. Use a voltage rating more than high circuit voltage. nrmay 1.5 times the voltage is selected for sizes
Package Size and Form Factor
Package size is also an important factor for high performance and flexibility, so use a package according to capacitance, board dimensions, and voltage assembly features.
High-frequency projects use small packages of 0402 or 0603, and high capacitance and voltage use 1206mlcc.
Tolerance and Temperature Rating
Tolerance is the initial capacity change; dielectric codes are used for temperature variations. Decoupling capacitor tolerance is ±10% or ±20%.
RF, timing circuit needed tight tolerance and high-temperature performance; X7R and X8R are used
Conclusion
Multilayer ceramic capacitors have different dimensions, capacitance, and voltage ratings and are best for different projects, such as industries and also vehicles. structure of this capacitor is made with proper material usage and also different steps applied, such as mixing, casting, electrode deposition, etc. With technological advancement, MLCCs are now getting new features
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which MLCC capacitor is largest?
The largest MLCC capacitors come with high length and width and high capacitance of hundreds of microfarads. Some are capable of several millifarads.
HW MLCC capacitor WRKS
THIS capacitor performs different functions; common ones are
Filtering circuits are used for smooth signals through noise filtering. that provides stable operation.
Decoupling is also important for separating different circuit parts. so prevent interference of different parts, so each circuit part operates properly
Capacitors also couple circuits for different parts. This causes signal flow properly
Define multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC).
Multilayer ceramic capacitor: a ceramic capacitor structured with a stacking of different thin ceramic dielectric layers through metallic electrodes in a single chip. With this design, high capacity is achieved with small packages
How does a multilayer ceramic capacitor work?
After getting voltage, reverse charges are assigned on the internal electrode. Ceramic layers are electrically fried for charge storage and reassembled when needed
What do ESR and ESL mean?
ESR is resistance loss,, and ESL is inductance. MLCCs come with a low ESR that provides lower impedance for high frequency than electrolytics.
What is self-resonant frequency (SRF),, and why does package size matter?
SRF point on which capacitive shift from capacitive to inductive behavior. Small packages normally come with low ESL and have high SRF and good frequency
Why do MLCCs crack?
The MLCC structure is ceramic and can be damaged from board flex vibration. We can minimize it through accurate connection, reducing high pressure and flexible parts in harsh conditions
When should I use electrolytic, tantalum, or film in place of MLCC?
Electrolytic is used for larger capacitance at low frequency, tam for stable capacitance, and hand derating, and film is used for high stability or high voltage center since here mlcc doesn’t work
Why are MLCCs used mostly on PCBs?
Since it comes with low ESR/ESL and high capacitance, with high-frequency features. That makes them best for switching projects for noise control
Define the DC bias effect in MLCCs.
For class II, the MLC effective capacity reduces when DC voltage is is applied. 10 µF provides a low practical circuit and derates voltage.
How do I select the voltage rating for an MLCC?
• The basic method is to choose a voltage rating of 1.5 times the maximum operating voltage. This feature reduces DC bias capacitance loss for Class II parts.
