The wide range of capacitors feature high-capacitance value and many voltage choices
By: Carolyn Mathas
There are three types of tantalum polymer capacitors, and surface-mount tantalum chip capacitors are considered the most popular representing an estimated 80 percent of the market. Tantalum pearls are resin-dipped, single-ended capacitors that are PCB-mounted. Axial-leaded tantalum capacitors with solid or non-solid electrolytes are used for military, space and medical applications. They are polarized capacitors and the anode electrode (+) is made of tantalum. A thin insulating oxide layer is placed over the tantalum and serves as the dielectric of the capacitor.
Figure 1: A typical SMD tantalum electrolytic chip capacitor with solid electrolyte. (Source: Wikipedia)
Manufactured from a relatively pure elemental tantalum metal powder, there are particle-size differences between the powders; the successively finer grains result in a greater surface area per unit volume. More recent developments include multi-anode techniques that reduce ESR and the “face down” technique, which reduces inductance.
The Panasonic 6TPU22MSI tantalum polymer capacitor is a surface-mount facedown terminal type used in size-sensitive applications. These capacitors use a high-conductivity polymer for a cathode, and they feature the lowest ESR levels in polymer-tantalum technology. In addition, Panasonic’s 6TPU22MSI tantalum polymer capacitors have high-performance and high-heat resistance and are used in high-frequency applications such as telecommunications, test and measurement, FPGA power delivery, appliances, industrial electronics, A/V equipment and PC/servers.
Figure 2: The Tantalum Polymer 6TPU22MSI from Panasonic. (Source: Arrow Electronics)
The 6TPU22MSI has a capacitance value of 22 uF, voltage of 6.3 VDC and a 20 percent tolerance. ESR (Ohm) is 0.25 and the case code is S09. The temperature range is -55° C to 85° C. Additionally, the device has a flat construction.
Another type of tantalum polymer capacitor is the non-solid (wet) tantalum electrolytic capacitors featuring energy density and self-healing properties. They are able to operate at voltages in excess of 100 V up to 630 V, have a relatively low ESR, and boast the lowest leakage current of all electrolytic capacitors. They are, however, costly and are used predominantly in industrial applications.
The KEMET tantalum polymer T520B157M006ATE025 capacitor is another surface-mount device used in computer, consumer, telecom and industrial applications. The device features low ESR, self-healing, high-frequency capacitive retention and EIA standard case sizes. The capacitance is 15 µF to 1000 µF, voltage from 2 V to 25 V and has been 100 percent surge tested. Operating temperatures range from -55° C to 105° C.
The Kyocera TCJB226M010R0300 tantalum polymer capacitor is ideal for applications such as DC-to-DC converters supplying power for LCD TVs, base stations, rectifiers, switching hubs, routers and line filters, as well as LED power drivers in PC monitors and LED TVs. The capacitor’s conductive polymer electrode reduces ignition failure mode. It features low ESR and is 3x reflow 260° C compatible. It has a 22 µF, 10 VDC voltage and a tolerance of 20 percent. It is surface mount and the case code is B. The size in mm is 3.5 x 2.8 x 1.9, and it features a temperature range of -55° C to 105° C.
Tantalum polymer capacitors, which can be used in a variety of applications, feature a high-capacitance value when compared to traditional capacitors and they can be used down to 2 V.