TDK Corporation has developed advancements in technology of EPCOS NTC temperature sensors, which satisfy requirements of the RoHS directive and simultaneously feature high precision and durability.
The development of ever more exact temperature sensors is driven by increasing demands on temperature measurement in automotive and industrial electronics. The goal is to boost energy efficiency of motor vehicles and also of equipment and installations. To ensure that temperature sensors continue to operate with high reliability even under harsh conditions, the requirements for ruggedness and durability are more stringent than ever.
With the ability to manufacture high-performance ceramics with precisely defined compositions and highly automated manufacturing processes, TDK is able to develop NTC temperature sensors that feature:
· Halogen- and lead-free composition
· Measurement accuracy increased by a factor of ten
· High resistance to ion migration at the terminals
Currently in the prototype stage, the new product range will include both NTC temperature sensors with lead wire spacing and leaded mini-sensors implemented with insulated terminal wires as well as bare wires. The new sensors will be offered with rated resistances (R25) 2 kohm to 100 kΩ.
The NTC ceramic and solder joints of the terminal wires are hermetically sealed with a halogen-free silicone elastomer encapsulation. The solder and metallization are completely lead-free, resulting in RoHS compatibility. Further development has now significantly increased resistance to temperature changes and jumps while reducing the tendency of ion migration at the contacts.
New ceramic materials are being used to manufacture not only RoHS-compatible components, but temperature sensors with a narrow tolerance of only 0.1 KΩ in the range of 0 ´C to 70 ´C. As a result, in addition to existing products, the new components will satisfy increased demands on environmental compatibility and performance.