polymer CAPACITORS (solid & hybrid)
Whether according to the data book or customer-specific vibration-proof, pulse-optimized or otherwise adapted: Our polymer capacitors also meet the highest reliability requirements in order to fit perfectly into your applications. As a technology leader in the field of polymers, we manufacture small current miracles for voltages up to 200V! On this page we offer you a compact overview of our most frequently requested products in these two areas.
If you can't find what you are looking for here, please give us a call on +49 2151 652088-0. Alternatively, you can also search for various parameters in our product search.
Whether according to the data book or customer-specific vibration-proof, pulse-optimized or otherwise adapted: Our polymer capacitors also meet the highest reliability requirements in order to fit perfectly into your applications. As a technology leader in the field of polymers, we manufacture small current miracles for voltages up to 200V! On this page we offer you a compact overview of our most frequently requested products in these two areas.
If you can't find what you are looking for here, please give us a call on +49 2151 652088-0. Alternatively, you can also search for various parameters in our product search.
SOLID POLYMER SMT
Info
Datasheets
SOLID POLYMER RADIAL
Info
Datasheets
SOLID POLYMER CHIP (MLPC)
Info
Datasheets
HYBRID POLYMER SMT
Info
Datasheets
HYBRID POLYMER RADIAL
Info
Datasheets
Tech Talk
Loosely based on Schopenhauer, one could say, especially in the field of power electronics, “Capacitors are not everything. But without capacitors, everything is nothing.” - This is how indispensable these so-called passive components are in the development of durable electronic products! In many applications, the lifetime and reliability of the device depend directly on the corresponding parameters of the capacitors. In order to achieve reliable operation of electronic devices for a defined lifetime, an understanding of the properties and physical application limits of capacitors is essential.
What is the function of a capacitor?
Capacitors are components in electrical engineering and electronics that have the ability to store electrical charges and the associated electrical energy in the form of an electrical field.
In general: How is a capacitor constructed?
Every capacitor is based on the principle of the plate capacitor: it consists of two electrically conductive plates, known as the anode (+) and cathode (-). An insulator (dielectric) is inserted between the plates to separate the charges. Depending on the technology, this results in electrolytic capacitors for aluminum oxide, film capacitors for plastics, MLCCs for ceramics and others. The physical properties of the capacitors’ construction materials determine the electrical parameters of the capacitor, for example capacitance and rated voltage.
Tech Talk solid polymer capacitor
Structure and special features of polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors
The structure of a polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitor is similar to that of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor. The main difference between the two technologies is the electrolyte. While the “classic” aluminum electrolytic capacitor contains a liquid electrolyte as a cathode for contacting the roughened anode surface, polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors have a solid electrolyte made of conductive plastic.
Due to the high intrinsic conductivity of the solid polymer electrolyte system, polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors exhibit only slight changes in capacitance over the entire operating temperature range and very low, almost constant ESR values. The electron conduction in the polymer enables a high current-carrying capacity with minimal self-heating.
Just like their “wet” brothers, polymer capacitors are polar. This means that they can only be operated with DC voltage.
Compared to aluminum electrolytic capacitors, however, they have several advantages: As the solid electrolyte cannot evaporate, only temperature-related material changes (and therefore changes in conductivity) limit the service life. The rated voltage can be applied without derating over the entire permissible temperature range.
Please also read our technical memos on the > topic of polymers.
Tech Talk hybrid polymer capacitor
Design and special features of hybrid polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors
The structure of a hybrid polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitor is similar to that of an aluminum electrolytic capacitor. The main difference between the two technologies is the electrolyte. While the “classic” aluminium electrolytic capacitor only contains a liquid electrolyte as the cathode for contacting the roughened anode surface and the solid polymer aluminium electrolytic capacitor only contains a solid electrolyte made of conductive plastic, the hybrid polymer models combine both: the polymerized electrolyte contacts both the dielectric and the cathode foil. However, the separator is also impregnated with a liquid electrolyte.
Hybrid polymer capacitors therefore combine the best of both worlds: the low ESR and high current-carrying capability of polymer capacitors combined with a large effective surface area (and therefore high capacitance) and the low leakage current of wet aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Their compact size, stable capacitance and excellent frequency characteristics are complemented by long lifetimes of 4 000h to 5 000h. The capacitors do not require voltage derating and the liquid electrolyte enables self-healing during operation, resulting in a low short-circuit risk and thus increased reliability.
Please also read our technology memos on the > topic Polymer