KEMET Automotive and Commercial ESD-Rated Ceramic Capacitors in 0603 EIA Case Size Extend Choices for Designers

GREENVILLE, SC--(Marketwired - January 17, 2017) -

Offer miniaturization and enhanced flexibility to optimize filtering, tuning, decoupling or ESD-protection circuitry

Available in automotive grade with voltage ratings up to 200 volts

KEMET Corporation (NYSE: KEM), a leading global supplier of electronic components, has introduced electrostatic discharge (ESD) rated ceramic capacitors in small 0603 EIA case size (metric 1608), providing designers a choice of either X7R or C0G dielectric for circuits requiring Class-II or Class-I stability and noise performance. Automotive and commercial grades are available, and a special ordering code allows customers to obtain automotive-grade parts for their projects without submitting a drawing or specification.

"Electrostatic discharge events can cause undesirable operation in a circuit and possibly damage components. ESD damage due to human contact is a major cause of electronic equipment failures during circuit assembly or in the field, and is estimated to reduce assembly-line productivity by up to 33%," said John Bultitude, Vice President and Technical Fellow, Ceramic Technology at KEMET. "KEMET's ESD-rated MLCCs enhance protection for the lifetime of the equipment, and their small dimensions simplify design and minimize impact on overall form factor."

X7R capacitance values from 1 nF to 220 nF (C0G from 1 nF to 15 nF) give designers flexibility to achieve their desired frequency response in RF filtering, decoupling, tuning or resonant circuits. The lower capacitance values are ideal for providing ESD protection at external ports such as USB 3.0, DisplayPort, HDMI, serial ports, audio jacks, and SIMs or memory cards. They also provide ESD protection for automotive modules such as infotainment equipment, airbag controllers or keyless entry systems, as well as industrial computers, video cameras, and test and measurement equipment.

These capacitors have up to 25 kV ESD-withstanding capability and pass AEC-Q200-002 HBM (Human-Body Model) tests. Automotive-qualified devices additionally meet all other requirements of AEC-Q200. Voltage ratings from 25 V to 200 V are available, and devices can be specified with tolerance of ±5%, ±10% or ±20% on capacitance value. C0G capacitors are also available with ±1% or ±2% tolerance. The operating-temperature range of -55°C to 125°C ensures high reliability in a wide range of applications and optional flexible terminations enhance robustness in designs exposed to extreme mechanical stresses or temperature cycling.

Samples are initially available at Digi-Key and Mouser. For more information, please visit www.kemet.com/esd, or the KEMET mobile apps for iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows.

About KEMET

KEMET Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of electronic components that meet the highest standards for quality, delivery and service. The company offers its customers the broadest selection of capacitor technologies in the industry across all dielectrics, along with an expanding range of electromechanical devices, electromagnetic compatibility solutions and supercapacitors. KEMET's corporate headquarters are in South Carolina; the company also operates manufacturing facilities, sales and distribution centers around the world. KEMET's common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "KEM." Additional information about KEMET can be found at 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.

Certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcome and results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements are described in the Company's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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