Sutnan Capacitor Information

Since pioneering Nickel-based electrode ceramic capacitor technology in 1984, Taiyo Yuden has been a leader in capacitor and passive components technologies. Today, as a result of our advanced ceramic materials, precision multilayering and proprietary firing process technologies, our capacitors provide the world’s highest capacitance values relative to case size. These products are excellent for smoothing, bulk and decoupling applications. Taiyo Yuden’s ceramic capacitor offer clear benefits over the Tantalum and electrolytic capacitors sold by our competitors.

In tantalum capacitor manufacturing, there is a steam pyrolysis process where tantalum pellets are decomposed by steam. Humidity control in this process is important to maintain product quality and improve yield. Stable humidity measurement at high temperatures of 200 to 400 °C is required. The ZR402G/HS Direct In Situ Zirconia High Temperature Humidity Analyzer is easy to maintain as it requires no sampling system and utilizes a long life sensor with fast response.

Expected Benefits
Maintains the quality of the tantalum capacitor manufacturing process
Ensures stable, continuous humidity measurement
Reduces operating costs

Process Overview
A tantalum pellet with an electrode plate applied is immersed in a manganese nitrate solution. This dipping process allows the manganese nitrate to penetrate the porous part of the pellet. After dipping, the pellet is forwarded to the pyrolysis process where the manganese nitrate is decomposed under high temperature and humidity conditions to form a manganese dioxide coating by the reaction Mn(NO3)2 -> MnO2 + 2NO2. These steps are repeated until the coating is sufficient. To improve the coating uniformity and yield, the humidity is controlled.

A tantalum capacitor consists of a porous tantalum core surrounded by tantalum pentoxide. A tantalum wire is embedded into the core and extends axially from the part. The oxide layer is coated with manganese dioxide, graphite, a silver conductive layer and solder as illustrated in the figure at left.

A capacitor is a device that stores an electrical charge.

Tantalum capacitor can only store a small fraction of a the energy from a power supply. However, it can deliver that charge much faster. The fast response time of the capacitor buffers its circuit from any inconsistency in the distribution of power from the power supply.

A capacitor is analogous to a local water storage tank in a public water system. The capacitor buffers the electronic circuit from any inconsistencies in the supply of power, just as the storage tank buffers the user at the faucet from the vagaries of the larger water distribution system.

Digital circuitry is a series of switches, or transistors, analogous to on/off valves in a fluid system. It delivers current from the distribution system, to control other circuits. High speed performance requires these electronic “valves” to respond rapidly, and so is dependent on the ability to deliver charge rapidly. A nearby capacitor provides the “valve” with a ready supply of charge. This “decouples” it from the longer response time of the power distribution system.

High Volumetric Efficiency
Tantalum capacitors offer high volumetric efficiency (CV/cc) compared with other capacitors types. In many applications, a 100 microfarad aluminum can be replaced with a 10 microfarad tantalum. Because of their package dimensions, tantalum capacitors enable circuit designers to optimize powder dissipation capability within the confines of precious circuit space. Also, their compact shape and flat top surface allow them to be easily handled and mounted onto circuit boards.

High Reliability
Unlike liquid electrolytic capacitors, Tantalum capacitors do not lose capacitance from the “deform effect.” Due to their solid construction, electrical performance does not degrade over time, which is why the shelf life of tantalum capacitors is considered to be infinite.

Better Temperature Performance
Tantalum capacitors have a wide operating range, -55 degrees C to +125 degrees C, and experience minimal degradation in electrical properties over this temperature range. The variation is dependent to some extent on the rated voltage and capacitor size.

No Wearout Mechanism
Tantalum capacitors have a unique “self-healing” mechanism that results in a decreasing failure rate over time. If a tantalum capacitor has an impurity or imperfection in the dielectric layer, a heavy current will flow through the site when a DC current is applied. Resistance of the MnO2 layer to this current causes localized heating and converts the MnO2 to a more resistive form, typically Mn2O3. This new oxide plugs up the fault site and reduces the current flow.

Better Frequency - ESR
Tantalum capacitor have better frequency characteristics than other types of capacitors, especially aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Typically, an identical CV tantalum has 10 times better ESR than.

Ceramic capacitors are known to comprise alternating layers of inner electrodes and ceramic dielectrics. A laminated ceramic capacitor includes a laminate formed of a plurality of laminated dielectric ceramic layers and an internal electrode laminated therein. Monolithic ceramic capacitors have a rectangular shape, and are provided with external electrodes at the opposite ends thereof, respectively. The development of integrated circuits has made it possible to place many circuit elements in a single semiconductor chip. A multilayer ceramic capacitor has been used widely as a compact, high power, and highly reliable electronic part and employed in a large number of electronic circuits. The multilayer ceramic capacitor comprises a layered dielectric body composed by alternately laminating dielectric layers and inner electrode layers and terminal electrodes formed on the main body of the layered dielectric element. The ceramic layers are stacked together in a manner that the internal electrodes are alternately exposed at opposite sides of the laminated body. The external electrodes are disposed at the end portions including the opposite sides of the laminated body and are connected to respective sets of internal electrodes of the laminated body.