Tantalum Capacitors

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
T491A335K016AH KEMET	CAP TANT 3.3UF 10% 16V 1206	0
M39003/09-0082 KEMET	CAP TANT 18UF 10% 50V AXIAL	50
T491B475M025AT4021 KEMET	CAP TANT 4.7UF 20% 25V 1411	0
T370D475M035AS KEMET	CAP TANT 4.7UF 20% 35V RADIAL	269
T491B107M006AH KEMET	CAP TANT 100UF 20% 6.3V 1411	0
T491C106K025AT4860 KEMET	CAP TANT 10UF 10% 25V 2312	0
T491C226M010ATZ330 KEMET	CAP TANT 22UF 20% 10V 2312	0
T491D106M025AH KEMET	CAP TANT 10UF 20% 25V 2917	0
T491B475K016AT7634 KEMET	CAP TANT 4.7UF 10% 16V 1411	0
T491C686M016AT KEMET	CAP TANT 68UF 20% 16V 2312	0
T491A106K016AH2478 KEMET	CAP TANT 10UF 10% 16V 1206	0
T322B475J020AS KEMET	CAP TANT 4.7UF 5% 20V AXIAL	0
T491A105K016AT4280 KEMET	CAP TANT 1UF 10% 16V 1206	0
T491C475M035AH4818 KEMET	CAP TANT 4.7UF 20% 35V 2312	0
T355D275K035AT KEMET	CAP TANT 2.7UF 10% 35V RADIAL	0
T491B476M010AT4380 KEMET	CAP TANT 47UF 20% 10V 1411	0
T491B106M010ZGZB01ZV10 KEMET	CAP TANT 10UF 20% 10V 1411	0
T491D225K050AT4380 KEMET	CAP TANT 2.2UF 10% 50V 2917	0
T491A335K010AT2478 KEMET	CAP TANT 3.3UF 10% 10V 1206	0
T495D336M025ATE090 KEMET	CAP TANT 33UF 20% 25V 2917	0

Tantalum Capacitors

Tantalum capacitors are a type of electrolytic capacitor known for their high capacitance density, stability, and reliability. Utilizing tantalum metal as the anode material, these capacitors form a thin insulating oxide layer as the dielectric, enabling efficient charge storage in compact sizes. Their ability to maintain stable capacitance under varying temperatures and voltages makes them critical components in modern electronics, particularly in applications requiring long-term performance and miniaturization, such as consumer electronics, automotive systems, and medical devices.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Solid Electrolyte Tantalum Capacitors	High reliability, low leakage current, and stable performance at elevated temperatures	Power supply circuits in smartphones, laptops, and industrial control systems
Wet Electrolyte Tantalum Capacitors	High capacitance values, excellent stability over time	Aerospace systems, military equipment, and high-reliability energy storage
Polymer Electrolyte Tantalum Capacitors	Low equivalent series resistance (ESR), improved safety, and vibration resistance	Medical implants (e.g., pacemakers), automotive sensors, and high-frequency circuits

3. Structure and Composition

A typical tantalum capacitor consists of four key components:

Anode: Sintered tantalum metal pellet with porous structure for increased surface area.
Dielectric: A thin layer of tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) formed electrochemically on the anode surface.
Electrolyte: Conductive material (solid MnO₂, liquid electrolyte, or conductive polymer) serving as the cathode.
Encapsulation: Epoxy resin or ceramic casing for mechanical protection and electrical insulation.

This layered structure ensures high capacitance density while maintaining stability under thermal and electrical stress.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Capacitance (C)	Range: 0.1 F to 1000 F	Determines energy storage capacity and filtering effectiveness
Rated Voltage (V_R)	Typically 2.5V to 50V	Defines safe operating voltage range without dielectric breakdown
Leakage Current	Typically < 0.01 C V_R A	Affects circuit efficiency and long-term reliability
Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR)	0.1 to 10 (varies by type)	Impacts high-frequency performance and thermal dissipation
Operating Temperature Range	-55 C to +125 C	Determines suitability for industrial and automotive applications

5. Application Fields

Consumer Electronics: Mobile phones (decoupling circuits), laptops (power management), and wearable devices.
Automotive: Engine control units (ECUs), ADAS sensors, and infotainment systems.
Medical Devices: Pacemakers, defibrillators, and diagnostic imaging equipment.
Aerospace: Avionics systems, satellite power supplies, and radar equipment.

6. Leading Manufacturers and Representative Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Features
AVX Corporation	TAJ Series	Low ESR polymer capacitors for high-frequency applications
KEMET Electronics	T511 Series	Military-grade wet electrolyte capacitors with extended lifespan
Vishay Intertechnology	TVCQ Series	Automotive-qualified capacitors with AEC-Q200 compliance

7. Selection Guidelines

Key factors to consider when selecting tantalum capacitors:

Operating Conditions: Ensure rated voltage exceeds circuit requirements by 20-50% to prevent voltage spikes.
Temperature Requirements: Choose appropriate dielectric materials for extreme temperature environments.
Size Constraints: Polymer electrolyte types offer lower ESR in smaller packages for space-limited designs.
Reliability Needs: Prioritize hermetically sealed packages for mission-critical applications (e.g., aerospace).
Cost vs. Performance: Solid electrolyte capacitors provide optimal cost-effectiveness for general electronics.

Always verify compliance with industry standards such as MIL-PRF-55365 for military use or AEC-Q200 for automotive applications.

8. Industry Trends and Future Outlook

Key development trends include:

Miniaturization: Advancements in powder sintering technology enable 0603/0402 package sizes with capacitance above 100 F.
High-Temperature Stability: New dielectric materials extend operational limits to 200 C for EV and 5G infrastructure.
ESR Reduction: Conductive polymer electrolytes now achieve ESR below 10m for high-efficiency power systems.
Environmental Compliance: Lead-free terminations and RoHS-compliant encapsulation materials becoming standard.
Integration: Embedded tantalum capacitors in SiP (System-in-Package) modules for advanced computing.

The global market is projected to grow at 6.2% CAGR through 2030, driven by demand in IoT devices, electric vehicles, and medical electronics.