What is a ceramic capacitor?

To know what a ceramic capacitor is, one must first understand what a capacitor is.

In the definition of high school capacitors:

In physics textbooks, the definition of a capacitor is as follows - a capacitor is an electronic component that can store charges; In the teaching materials for employees in the ceramic capacitor manufacturing industry, the definition of a capacitor is an electronic component composed of two electrode plates sandwiched with an insulating material.

Definition in Physics

The fundamental physical characteristics of capacitors are fundamentally explained, while industry definitions vividly illustrate the basic structure of capacitors. Therefore, regardless of which definition (whether it has one sidedness or limitations), it is a good explanation of what a capacitor is.

We all know that the family of capacitors is very large, and they can be classified from the following aspects based on their application or inherent characteristics:

Media - paper capacitors, mica capacitors, air capacitors, tantalum capacitors, thin film capacitors (polyethylene film, polystyrene film, polypropylene film, etc.), aluminum capacitors, ceramic capacitors, etc.

Capacity - Adjustable capacitors and fixed capacitors.

Use circuit voltage components - AC capacitors and DC capacitors.

Use high and low circuit frequencies - high-frequency capacitors and low-frequency capacitors.

Use circuit voltage levels - low-voltage capacitors, medium voltage capacitors, and high-voltage capacitors.

What is a ceramic capacitor?

From the above content, we know that ceramic capacitors are a type of capacitor family that uses ceramics as a dielectric.

Ceramic capacitors can be divided into the following three categories based on the properties of the medium:

The first type of temperature compensation type, also known as a type of porcelain, is a type of capacitor specifically designed and used in resonant circuits with low loss, high capacitance stability, or clear temperature coefficient requirements. For example, it is used for temperature compensation in circuits. This type of ceramic medium is composed of a nominal temperature coefficient( α) To determine.
The second type of high dielectric constant type, also known as type II ceramics, is a type of capacitor with high dielectric constant that is suitable for use as a bypass, coupling, or in circuits with low requirements for loss and capacitance stability. This type of ceramic medium is characterized by nonlinear changes in electrical capacity within the temperature range of the class.

The third type of semiconductor type, also known as Class III ceramics, is a type of ceramic capacitor with semiconductor characteristics. This type of capacitor is suitable for use as a bypass and coupling. This type of ceramic medium is characterized by nonlinear changes in electrical capacity within the temperature range of the class.

Ceramic capacitors can be divided into round plate ceramic capacitors, laminated ceramic capacitors, and through core capacitors based on their structure. Circular plate ceramic capacitors have only one layer of ceramic dielectric, while stacked ceramic capacitors have many layers of dielectric, and the current technological level can reach as many as a thousand layers.

What is a ceramic capacitor?

The structure of circular ceramic capacitors 

What is a ceramic capacitor

 Structural diagram of circular plate ceramic capacitors

Consisting of electrodes, ceramic media, soldering (used for electrode to wire welding), wires, and encapsulation