KEMET Introduces ArcShield™ Technology for High Voltage Commercial and Automotive Applications

GREENVILLE, S.C., Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- KEMET Corporation (NYSE: KEM), a leading manufacturer of tantalum, ceramic, aluminum, film, paper and electrolytic capacitors, today introduced its patent-pending ArcShield capacitor technology for use in high voltage applications susceptible to surface arcing (arc-over discharge).

"KEMET ArcShield High Voltage capacitors are primarily suited for applications, such as automotive, that meet or exceed 500V with exposure to high humidity environments. Conditions such as these promote surface arcing in MLCCs," said Dr. Phil Lessner, KEMET Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Scientist. "ArcShield devices inhibit surface arc-over discharge, thereby preventing damage to the capacitor and surrounding components on a printed circuit board."

Surface arcing is generally caused by a high voltage gradient between the MLCC's termination surfaces or between one termination surface and the component's internal electrode structure. This phenomenon can either damage surrounding components or lead to a breakdown of the MLCC's dielectric material, ultimately leading to a short-circuit condition (catastrophic failure mode).

"ArcShield technology features a unique, robust internal shield electrode system that suppresses arc-over while increasing available capacitance," said Bill Sloka, KEMET Specialty Product Manager. "This system offers unrivaled performance and reliability when compared to external surface coating technologies."

For added reliability, KEMET's Flexible Termination technology is an available option that provides superior flex performance over standard termination systems. This technology was developed to address flex cracks, which are the primary failure mode of MLCCs and typically the result of excessive tensile and shear stresses produced during board flexure and thermal cycling. Flexible Termination technology inhibits the transfer of board stress to the rigid body of the MLCC, therefore mitigating flex cracks which can result in low IR or short circuit failures.

ArcShield High Voltage MLCCs are also available in automotive grade, which undergo stricter testing protocol and inspection criteria. Whether under-hood or in-cabin, these devices are designed for mission and safety-critical automotive circuits or applications requiring proven, reliable performance in harsh environments.

Typical markets include power supply, LCD fluorescent backlight ballasts, HID lighting, telecom equipment, industrial and medical equipment/control, LAN/WAN interface, analog and digital modems, and automotive. Typical applications include switch mode power supplies (input filters, resonators, tank circuits, snubber circuits, output filters), high voltage coupling and DC blocking, lighting ballasts, voltage multiplier circuits, DC/DC converters and coupling capacitors in 'C'uk converters.

For more information, please visit www.kemet.com/highvoltage.

Technical Information

• ArcShield (patent-pending) technology
• Base metal electrode (BME) dielectric system
• Industry-leading CV values
• Pb-Free and RoHS compliant
• X7R dielectric (Temperature Characteristic = +/-15% from -55 degrees C to +125 degrees C)
• EIA 0805, 1206, 1210, 1808, 1812 case sizes
• DC voltage ratings of 500V, 630V, 1KV
• Capacitance offerings ranging from 2200pF – 0.33uF
• Available capacitance tolerances of +/-5%, +/-10% and +/-20%
• Non-polar device, minimizing installation concerns
• Low ESR and ESL
• 100% pure matte tin-plated termination finish allowing for excellent solderability
• SnPb plated termination finish option available upon request (5% min)
• Commercial and Automotive (AEC-Q200) grades available
• Flexible termination option available upon request

Glossary

CV - Capacitance/Voltage

EIA - Electronic Industries Alliance

ESR - Equivalent Series Resistance

ESL - Equivalent Series Inductance

MLCC - Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor

RoHS - Restriction of Hazardous Substances

SMD - Surface Mount Device

About KEMET

KEMET's common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "KEM." At the Investor Relations section of our web site at http://www.KEMET.com/IR, users may subscribe to KEMET news releases and find additional information about our Company. KEMET applies world class service and quality to deliver industry leading, high performance capacitance solutions to its customers around the world and offers the world's most complete line of surface mount and through-hole capacitor technologies across tantalum, ceramic, film, aluminum, electrolytic, and paper dielectrics. Additional information about KEMET can be found at http://www.kemet.com.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws about KEMET Corporation's (the "Company") financial condition and results of operations that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets in which the Company operates, as well as management's beliefs and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's judgment only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

Factors that may cause actual outcome and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to, generally adverse economic and industry conditions, including a decline in demand for the Company's products. Other risks and uncertainties may be described from time to time in the Company's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Dean W. Dimke
Director of Corporate and Investor Communications
[email protected]
954.766.2806                

 

                       

SOURCE KEMET Corporation