Syfer caps it all with Queen’s Award

Managing Director of Syfer Technology, Howard Ingleson commented: “Many of the products made with our components are used in safety-critical environments, so precision and quality are paramount,” In recent years, Syfer has pioneered several cutting-edge production techniques and component designs to meet customer demands. “We’re delighted and proud that our efforts have been officially acknowledged with this Queen’s Award,” he added.

The problem of mechanical cracking is inherent in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), as the ceramic substrate is innately brittle. The cracking generally occurs during the PCB assembly process when the board or substrate is over-flexed. Not always detected during production test, the cracks may lead to component failures in the field later, leading to costly repairs and a damaged reputation. High dielectric constant devices, typically X7R MLCCs, are at greatest risk. These are generally preferred for decoupling, filtering and voltage transient suppression applications.

Syfer’s FlexiCapTM flexible termination has been designed to improve the ruggedness of these ceramic devices, comprises a silver loaded epoxy polymer, which is applied to the devices using conventional termination techniques, before the usual nickel barrier finish. After curing, the material has good adhesive and conductive properties, and, due to its fibrous nature, absorbs greater levels of mechanical stress than standard silver terminations. FlexiCapTM has since been demonstrated to substantially reduce the risk of mechanical cracking. Not only is 30% of Syfer’s production today now terminated with FlexiCapTM, but other MLCC manufacturers have imitated with similar termination methods.

The Syfer capacitor portfolio is extensive, covering a wide capacitance, voltage and current range, to suit a broad array of applications, and particularly for high reliability, safety critical designs. Recent introductions include a high capacitance range which can be ordered with FlexiCapTM terminations. For example 16V part in an 0805 package features an impressive 680nF capacitance. High voltage devices (16V to 6kV) are available for transient suppression applications. Particularly suitable for DC motor designs, Syfer’s X2Y balanced line 3-terminal MLCCs, come with FlexiCapTM terminations as standard.

Syfer Technology based near Norwich, UK, employs 275 people involved in research and development, design, manufacturing, technical support, sales and marketing. Syfer’s products are widely used in the industrial, telecoms, avionics, automotive and aerospace sectors.