Film Capacitors

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
MLR205K400 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 2UF 10% 400VDC RADIAL	28
MRRC440V20 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 20UF 6% 440VAC RADIAL	63
MLR182K100 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 1800PF 10% 100VDC RAD	2816
MLR823K400 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 0.082UF 10% 400VDC RAD	785
MRC370V7R5 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 7.5UF 6% 370VAC RADIAL	82
MRC370V50 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 50UF 6% 370VAC RADIAL	25
MRC440V45 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 45UF 6% 440VAC RADIAL	29
MLR103K100 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 10000PF 10% 100VDC RAD	156
MLR405K400 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 4UF 10% 400VDC RADIAL	952
MRC370V20 NTE Electronics, Inc.	CAP FILM 20UF 6% 370VAC RADIAL	85

Film Capacitors

1. Overview

Film capacitors are a type of electronic component using plastic films (e.g., polypropylene, polyester) as dielectric materials. They are non-polarized capacitors with high insulation resistance, low loss, and excellent long-term stability. These capacitors play critical roles in power electronics, automotive systems, renewable energy, and consumer devices due to their reliability and high voltage-handling capabilities.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
Polyester (PET)	Low cost, compact size, moderate temperature stability	General-purpose circuits, consumer electronics
Polypropylene (PP)	High voltage resistance, low dielectric loss, excellent thermal stability	Power supplies, motor drives, EV charging systems
Polycarbonate (PC)	High precision, low moisture absorption	Medical devices, aerospace instrumentation
Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)	High-temperature endurance, flame retardant	Automotive electronics, industrial automation
Polyimide (PI)	Ultra-high temperature resistance (up to 200 C), compact design	Aviation systems, downhole drilling equipment

3. Structure and Composition

Film capacitors typically consist of metalized plastic films wound or stacked into a cylindrical/rectangular core. The dielectric thickness ranges from 1-10 m, with electrode materials like zinc or aluminum. The assembly is encapsulated in epoxy resin or plastic housings. Key structural elements include:

Dielectric layer (plastic film)
Metallized electrode patterns
Termination electrodes (sprayed metal contacts)
Protective outer coating

4. Key Technical Parameters

Parameter	Description	Importance
Capacitance Range	0.1 nF - 100 F	Determines energy storage capacity
Rated Voltage	50 V - 10 kV	Defines operational safety limits
Capacitance Tolerance	1% to 20%	Affects circuit precision
Dissipation Factor	0.0001 - 0.05	Indicates energy efficiency
Insulation Resistance	10^9 - 10^12	Reflects leakage current performance
Operating Temperature	-55 C to +155 C	Dictates environmental adaptability
Temperature Coefficient	50 to 400 ppm/ C	Impacts stability under thermal stress
Stability	C/C < 2% over 10 years	Long-term reliability indicator

5. Application Fields

Main industries and equipment:

Power electronics: AC/DC converters, frequency inverters
Automotive: Electric vehicle (EV) on-board chargers, battery management systems
Consumer electronics: LED lighting, plasma TVs
Industrial: Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), welding machines
Renewable energy: Solar inverters, wind turbine converters

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
TDK Corporation	B32656 series	PP film, 480 F/1200 V for industrial inverters
KEMET	C4AZ-X7R4U3D106KE	Automotive-grade DC link capacitor
AVX	6TP105K	Tantalum polymer hybrid for aerospace
Vishay	MKP1848 series	Self-healing PP technology

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Determine required capacitance and voltage ratings with safety margins
Assess environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, vibration)
Evaluate dielectric absorption and frequency response requirements
Consider packaging constraints (through-hole vs. surface-mount)
Analyze cost-performance trade-offs for mass production

8. Industry Trends

Emerging trends include: development of high-power-density capacitors for EVs, adoption of nanodielectric materials for improved thermal stability, growth of biodegradable film technologies, and integration of smart monitoring features in industrial capacitors. The market is projected to grow at 7.2% CAGR (2023-2030), driven by renewable energy and 5G infrastructure demands.