Everything You Need To Know About Tantalum Capacitor

There are so many misconceptions about tantalum capacitors and their applications. Some of them are just outright lies, while others are more of a case of “misunderstanding.”

It’s easy to take your favorite product for granted, especially if you’ve used it for a long time. We know how critical it is to see our cars, smartphones, computers, and other electronics running smoothly.

But some things are just too good to be true.

That’s the case with tantalum capacitors, which are responsible for keeping many of our electronics operating at peak performance.

So, if you’re a techie, an electric technician, or a potential buyer and you’ve ever wondered how these components work, this article is for you. We will discuss the details of the tantalum capacitor.

Table of Contents

What is a tantalum capacitor?

A tantalum capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores energy in an electric field. The name comes from the element tantalum, which is used to make the ceramic or tantalum oxide plates inside the capacitor.

The internal plates are separated by a thin layer of electrolyte, which is usually a solid or gel. This layer allows electric current to flow between the two plates as long as an external DC voltage is applied across them.

Tantalum capacitors are used in many different applications and devices, from computers and cell phones to cars and aircraft. They’re also common in high-end audio equipment, power supplies, and military systems. They’re used for many different functions, including filtering and voltage stabilization.

The super-thin nature of these capacitors makes them be highly permeative. This is just one of the unique features that distinguish tantalum capacitors from other types of capacitors.

Another feature is high capacitance per volume as compared to most generic capacitors in the market. They are also relatively lighter than other capacitors yet still carry more capacitance.

Basic working principle of tantalum capacitors

The basic working principle of tantalum capacitors is pretty much the same as that of other types of capacitors. The main difference is in the way they are constructed and packaged.

Tantalum capacitors are formed from two metal plates separated by a thin layer of dielectric material, which is usually a solid or gel electrolyte.

The electrolyte acts as an insulator that allows the free flow of electric current between the two plates when an external DC voltage is applied across them.

When no voltage is applied, there will be no electric current flow between the two plates because it’s not allowed by the insulating material.

Tantalum capacitors have a very high dielectric constant and are very efficient at high frequencies.

The main reason is that the dielectric material does not allow a significant amount of electric current to flow between the two plates when there is no voltage applied.

This is similar to how other capacitors operate, but it’s also different from them in many ways. For example, tantalum capacitors are more efficient than other types of capacitors in handling high frequencies.

The dielectric material used in tantalum capacitors comes in two forms: solid and gel. The solid form of dielectric material consists of a ceramic-like substance with very low moisture absorption.

This feature makes it ideal for use in consumer electronics and other applications that require a reliable capacitor that can handle high temperatures without having any problems.

The gel form of the dielectric material has a slightly higher moisture absorption rate. On the flip side, it’s still very low compared to most other electrolytes used in other types of capacitors.

An electrolyte will act as a cathode for the electrolytic capacitors. As we have already mentioned, these electrolytes are either solid or non-solid. The non-solid electrolytes usually exist in the liquid medium.

Since solid electrolytes have a significant level of conductivity, they tend to be sensitive in cases of voltage spikes. Reversing the polarity is the only way to break the oxide layer or the dielectric material.

The basic construction of tantalum capacitors

A typical tantalum capacitor consists of two terminals of opposite polarity, an electrolyte in between the electrodes, and a separator. The capacitance value is determined by the size of the electrodes and the distance between them.

The tantalum capacitor is made of a stack of layers that includes an electrolyte with a solid or liquid-like medium, an aluminum foil for the first layer, another layer with an aluminum foil for the second layer, and a separator as well.

The capacitor is made by sintering the anode, cathode, and dielectric together. The manufacturing process is done in a vacuum, which helps prevent the tantalum metal’s oxidation.

Anode

The anode is made from pure tantalum metal. A thin layer of tantalum oxide is formed on the surface to make it conductive. Furthermore, a thin layer of tantalum pentoxide is formed on the surface.

Cathode

The cathode is made from low resistance and high melting point material.

The cathode material that is used may either be pure tantalum or a mixture of tantalum with other materials. The mixture may consist of molybdenum, tungsten, lead, tin, and bismuth.

The cathode layer is made of pure tantalum metal in order to improve its conductivity.

In addition to this, it has a thin layer of tantalum pentoxide to protect it from oxidation during use.

Dielectric

The dielectric is made from a solid or liquid-like medium that contains an electrolyte with ions. It has a high level of conductivity, but it prevents the flow of current between the anode and cathode. It also acts as an insulator against external electrical shock and vibration.

The dielectric can be either a solid or liquid-like medium (high-dielectric material) that contains an electrolyte with ions to become conductive and have a high level of conductivity.

The dielectric used in the capacitor includes Tantalum pentoxide, Niobium pentoxide, and Manganese dioxide electrolyte.

Others include polypropylene oxide (PPO). ATH and BaTiO are preferred as they have low permittivity.

When to use a tantalum capacitor?

Do I need a tantalum capacitor? That is one question that people often ask themselves when making electronic circuit designs.

The answer is that it depends on the application.

Tantalum capacitors are used in applications that require maximum capacitance in a limited space.

For example, a tantalum capacitor is used in frequency converters for frequency multiplication. They are also used in high current power applications such as power supply units.

Tantalum capacitors are also used in applications that require maximum capacitance in a limited space. These applications include telephone systems, radio communication, space systems, aeronautical systems, military equipment, medical equipment, among many others.

Tantalum capacitor failure modes

We have analyzed the physical and chemical properties of tantalum capacitors. However, this discussion will not be complete without analyzing the different failure modes of these capacitors. Let’s look at some of them.

-Field crystallization: This is the most common failure mode of tantalum capacitors. It occurs when the tantalum electrode is exposed to a high frequency or high voltage field.

-Bubble formation: This is a failure mode that occurs in tantalum capacitors due to electrolytic action between the pore of the dielectric and the surface of the tantalum electrode.

-Gap formation: This happens when there is a short circuit between two terminals of the tantalum capacitor, which causes an increase in the leakage current.

-High-temperature failure: This occurs when there is excessive heating of the tantalum capacitor at elevated temperatures.

-Pressure rupture: The pressure build-up on lead wires of a tantalum capacitor can cause this failure mode.

-Chemical attack: The chemical reaction between different metals can cause this failure mode, too.

-Low capacitance: This failure mode occurs due to poor metallurgy of tantalum capacitors.

-Overcurrent: This happens when the tantalum leads are cut or there is a short circuit on the capacitor terminals.

-Microcracks: This failure mode can be either mechanical or thermal. Mechanical failure of a tantalum capacitor is caused by high temperature and high voltage conditions. In contrast, thermal failure occurs when the capacitor is exposed to high temperatures for an extended period of time.

-Electrolytic action: This happens when electrolytes in tantalum capacitors react with the electrodes during their storage or in some other way during their use.

-Immersion damage: The immersion of a tantalum capacitor into the water can cause this failure mode, too.

Shielding breakdown: When an excessive voltage is applied to lead wires, it may cause this type of failure.

Advantages and disadvantages of tantalum capacitors

Advantages

Here are the top benefits that you stand to gain from the use of tantalum capacitors:

-Excellence capacitance: The capacitance of tantalum capacitors is very high, making it a good choice for many applications.

-Low leakage: The low leakage of tantalum capacitors makes them ideal for applications requiring low power dissipation.

-High reliability: The reliability of tantalum capacitors is very high, and thus they are ideal for many applications. They can serve their purpose in their respective application areas without constant breakdowns.

-Long life: The long life of tantalum capacitors makes them a good choice for many applications.

Excellent heat resistance: Their excellent heat resistance helps them survive in harsh environments and helps them operate at high temperatures without any damage.

-No risk of radiation: The use of tantalum capacitors does not expose you to any harmful radiation that can cause cancer or any other disease.

-No toxic fumes: The use of this capacitor does not give rise to the emission of toxic fumes, so it is safe to use in most environments.

-LCR (Low-Coupling Resistor) : LCR reduces the inductance that causes the voltage ripple, which is a common problem in many applications.

-Precision: The precision of tantalum capacitors is very high, which allows them to operate at high frequencies without any damage.

-Wide range: The wide range of tantalum capacitors make them suitable for several applications. The capacitor can also be used even in the most sensitive applications.

Disadvantages

The demerits of tantalum capacitors include:

-Limited voltage: The capacitors cannot operate with a voltage that exceeds a specific limit. This could be due to the thin oxide layer that limits the robustness of the capacitor.

-Low ripple current rating: The capacitors do not have a high ripple current rating. This could be due to the low dielectric strength of tantalum.

Differences between tantalum capacitor vs. ceramic capacitor

Ceramic capacitors tend to be quite common. Are they any different from tantalum capacitors?

Yes. Let’s highlight some key differences between these two types of capacitors.

Tantalum capacitors are designed to have a stable capacitance regardless of the supply voltage. On the other hand, the capacitance of ceramic capacitors will always fluctuate depending on the supply voltage.

The two also differ in relation to the temperature change. With tantalum capacitors, the change in capacitance in relation to temperature change is linear. Ceramic capacitors have a non-linear reaction to the temperature change.

Buying tantalum capacitors: What should I look for?

Here are a few things to look out for when buying tantalum capacitors:

-Capacitance; Find out the capacitance of the tantalum capacitor.

-Voltage rating; Find out the voltage rating of the tantalum capacitor.

-Dielectric strength; Find out the dielectric strength of the tantalum capacitor.

-Maximum ripple current rating; Find out the maximum ripple current rating of the tantalum capacitor.

-Cost: These capacitors come at different prices depending on their specifications. The price may also depend on where you buy. To find out the specs and see whether they match the tantalum capacitor you are about to buy.

Choose a reliable tantalum capacitor supplier

Remember to buy from a reliable tantalum capacitor manufacturer or supplier of all the tips. You should strive to find out the company’s credibility based on experience.

See whether they have good customer reviews and testimonials. Check whether their products are genuine or fake.

At ICRFQ, we are among the most trusted sourcing agents for tantalum capacitors in China. If you plan to import these capacitors in China, we will be your correct plug.