Impact of bending speed and setup on flex cracks in multilayer ceramic capacitors

A comparison of bending speed and experimental setups using 3-point or 4-point bending for introduction of flex cracks into multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) in a controlled manner is presented. The impact of bending speed and corresponding strain rates on the formed flex cracks detected by X-ray imaging and optical microscopy images of cross-sectioned MLCCs are examined. Furthermore, the critical strain levels of cracked MLCCs mounted in different orientations as compared to the applied strain are compared for quick and standard bending as well as for a 3-point and 4-point bending test setup.