AVX Corporation Recognized by NASA

AVX Corporation has been recognized as a qualified supplier of space-level base metal electrode (BME) X7R dielectric multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). They are used in aerospace designs and US military applications under NASA’s S-311-P-838 specification.

AVX’s BME X7R dielectric multilayer ceramic capacitors. Source: AVX

After several years of extensive testing and a meticulous, months-long review of the qualification data, AVX’s full range of space-level BME X7R MLCCs—spanning 0603 to 1812 case sizes, 2.2 nF to 8.2 μF capacitance values and 16 V to 100 V ratings—are now listed on NASA’s website. They are approved electronic components for applications including I/O filtering and bulk storage in the switch-mode power supplies in space and satellite communications and launchers, military defense and weapons systems, and radar systems.

Exhibiting capacitance voltage capabilities superior to those of precious metal electrode (PME) MLCCs, which have long been the standard for the global aerospace industry, AVX’s space-level BME MLCCs provide the extremely high-reliability performance required by the space industry. They also deliver higher capacitance values in significantly smaller case sizes, enabling revolutionary reductions of board space, weight and component count, which directly translate into lower launch costs.

Featuring Flexiterm® terminations, AVX’s space-level BME X7R MLCCs also provide enhanced resistance to mechanical stress by allowing for more board flexure than standard terminations, especially in large case sizes. Tested using MIL-SPEC standards and methods, including 100% ultrasonic examination in compliance with the S-311-P-838 specification, the newly NASA-approved series is available in five case sizes spanning 0603 to 1812, and is rated for 16 to 100 V and 2.2 nF to 8.2 μF with three capacitance tolerances (±5%, ±10% and ±20%).

AVX’s space-level BME X7R MLCCs in case sizes 0603 to 1812 are also the first such capacitors approved for use in European Space applications, and are listed on the European Space Association’s Qualified Parts List under the criteria of the European Space Components Coordination’s 3009/041 specification.

The series ships with standard lead-times, and each production lot comes complete with a certificate of compliance, destructive physical analysis and a summary data package.