2. Ceramic capacitors

A ceramic is an inorganic, non-metallic material that has been processed using a specific technology known as ceramic technology: the material starts out as fine powders, with micron- or submicron-sized particles, which are formed into an object. It is then subjected to a high-temperature thermal cycle (firing or sintering). The resulting object is then said to be “sintered,” and its microstructure, which has evolved during firing, consists of a compact assembly of grains separated by grain boundaries. The material thus acquires its final properties (whether mechanical or electrical). Materials for ceramic capacitors are...