AVX is the First to Achieve NASA's S-311-P-838 Specification for Space-Level BME X7R MLCC Technology

FOUNTAIN INN, S.C., May 4, 2016 -- AVX Corporation, a leading manufacturer of passive components and interconnect solutions, is the first — and currently only — company to be recognized as a qualified supplier of space-level base metal electrode (BME) X7R dielectric multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) for use in aerospace designs and US military applications under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) S-311-P-838 specification. This specification defines the requirements for high reliability, ceramic dielectric, multilayer, base metal electrode, fixed-value chip capacitors for high-reliability space applications, in addition to the processing verification and inspections required by assemblies used in flight. 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, 2.2nF to 8.2μF capacitance values, and 16V to 100V ratings— are now listed on the NASA website as approved electronic components for applications including I/O filtering and bulk storage in the switch mode power supplies (SMPS) in space and satellite communications and launchers, military defense and weapons systems, and radar systems.

Exhibiting capacitance voltage (CV) 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 while also delivering higher capacitance values in significantly smaller cases 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 considerably 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 – 100V and 2.2nF to 8.2μF with three capacitance tolerances (±5%, ±10%, and ±20%).

"After years of extensive testing per NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) S-311 specifications, and an extremely meticulous review of the masses of qualification data that has been underway since last summer, AVX has finally become the first and only manufacturer authorized to supply BME X7R MLCCs for use in US military and aerospace applications," said Michael Conway, product marketing manager at AVX. "The high CV capabilities of our surface-mount BME capacitors enable the use of smaller PCBs that weigh less and have fewer components, effectively satisfying aerospace designers' requests for miniature, lightweight components capable of peak mission-critical performance."

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

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

For more information about AVX's NASA-approved space-level BME X7R MLCCs, please visit http://www.avx.com/products/ceramic-capacitors/surface-mount/nasa-space-level-bme-x7r-mlcc-s311-p838-approved/ to access the product datasheet, European Space Agency and CECC Ceramic Capacitor Products catalog, and part number information. For pricing and availability, please contact your local AVX sales representative. For more information about NASA's S-311-P-838 specification, please visit https://nepp.nasa.gov/files/26580/S-311-P-838.pdf. For all other inquiries, please visit www.avx.com, call 864-967-2150, or write to One AVX Boulevard, Fountain Inn, S.C. 29644.

About AVX

AVX Corporation is a leading international supplier of electronic passive components and interconnect solutions with 20 manufacturing and warehouse facilities in 11 countries around the world. AVX offers a broad range of devices including capacitors, resistors, filters, timing and circuit protection devices, and connectors. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:AVX).

A member of the Kyocera Group since 1990, AVX is also the only company authorized to supply Kyocera Electronic Devices to the Americas and Europe. Established in 1959 and based in Kyoto, Japan, Kyocera Electronic Devices is a leading international supplier of connectors, capacitors, ceramic resonators, surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters and duplexers, and crystal oscillators and timing devices.

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=40116

CONTACT: Steve Carter
         Product Marketing Manager, AVX
         864-228-4517
         [email protected]
         
         Michael Conway
         Product Marketing Manager, AVX
         +44 28703 40672
         [email protected] 
         
         Christine Stieglitz
         PR Executive, BtB Marketing
         919-872-8172
         [email protected]