New high-temperature automotive-grade polymer chip capacitors

Update: August 6, 2023

AVX Corporation has released the new TCO Series high-temperature, automotive-grade polymer chip Capacitors, rated for operating temperatures up to 150C at category voltage and meet AEC-Q200 Stress Test Qualification for Passive Components requirements, which assure stable performance at 85C, 85% relative humidity, and rated voltage for up to 1,000 hours. Based on its TCQ Series automotive polymer capacitors, the new series chip capacitors are produced in an IATF-16949-certified facility and feature robust J-lead constructions composed of tantalum anodes, Ta2O5 dielectrics, and conductive polymer electrodes that display a benign failure mode under recommended use conditions. The series also shows low DCL (0.1CV) and basic reliability of 1% per 1,000 hours at 85C and rated voltage with 0.1Ohm/V series impedance and 60% confidence and is ideal for use in high-temperature, low- and medium-power automotive, industrial, and telecommunications applications.

These capacitors are currently offered as D-case (EIA Metric 7343-31) components rated MSL 3 per J-STD-020 and for 10µF ±20% tolerance, 50VDC at 105C, a maximum of 50µA DCL, 150mOhm maximum ESR at 100kHz, and operating temperatures extending from -55C to +150C, with several other codes actively in development. They are also RoHS compliant, lead-free compatible, and able to withstand three reflow cycles at 260C. Ideal applications for the series comprise automotive cabin control, infotainment, and comfort systems; body electronics that manage safety, power management, and diagnostic systems; and aftermarket electronics such as radar detectors, dash cams, navigation systems, amplifiers, subwoofers, and headrest monitors; as well as DC-DC converters and coupling/decoupling circuits in industrial and telecommunications equipment.

“The new TCO Series high-temperature, automotive-grade polymer chip capacitors are based on our TCQ Series automotive polymer capacitors, which now have more than five years of field-proven success,” said Allen Mayar, AVX Electrolytic Capacitors global product manager. “Both polymer capacitor series satisfy the stringent AEC-Q200 requirements for automotive use thanks to superior material selections, design decisions, and manufacturing processes, and the new TCO Series offers the additional benefit of 150C operation at category voltage.”