LowESR.com - Electrolyte Material Type Comparison

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Electrolyte Material Type Comparison:
Comparison of characteristics - performance differences of different cathode connection materials

NIC Series	Type of Capacitor		Cathode Connection Material	Conductivity (S/cm)	Conductive Mechanism	Heat Resistance Performance	Competition
NSP		SOLID ALUMINUM Conductive Functional Polymer	Polypyrrole (PPy)	100	Electronic Conduction	Good (up to +300degC)	Panasonic "SP-Cap" Kemet "AO-Cap"
NTP		TANTALUM Polymer Cathode	Polypyrrole (PPy)	100		Good (up to +300degC)	Sanyo "POS-Cap" Kemet "KO-Cap" Nichicon "F55"
NTC-T NTC-L		TANTALUM Standard Cathode	MnO2	0.1		Very Good (up to +500degC)	- Many -
NSPE		ALUMINUM Hybrid Electrolyte	Polypyrrole (PPy) + Liquid Electrolyte	100 + 0.01	Electronic (Major) + Ionic (Minor) Conduction	Fair to Good (Reflow to +260degC Max.)	Sanyo "CV-EX"
NAC_		ALUMINUM Liquid Electrolyte	Ethylene Glycol (EG) Gamma-Butyolactone (GB)	0.01	Ionic Conduction	Fair to Good (Reflow to +260degC Max.)	- Many -

NOTES:

The higher the conductivity value of the cathode connection material, the lower the ESR (Equivalent series resistance) of the component.

Electronic conduction can handle higher ripple currents than ionic conduction, due to lower ESR and faster reaction speed.

The failure rate (FR) of solid polymer type aluminum E-Cap is lower than that of tantalum E-Cap.

The polymer type aluminum is less likely to combust (flame) under short circuit failure as compared to tantalum E-Cap.

The failure mode is short circuit for all the above reference SOLID ALUMINUM and TANTALUM types.

The failure mode is open circuit for all the above reference Liquid & Hybrid Electrolyte ALUMINUM types.

Liquid Electrolyte ALUMINUM types have shorter life (as compared to SOLID ALUMINUM and TANTALUM types) due to dry-out of electrolyte over time - temperature. [ more details ]

Comparison of Construction Types: Liquid - Hybrid - Solid Electrolyte

PROS & CONS	Liquid Electrolyte	Hybrid Electrolyte	Solid Electrolyte
PROS	» Lowest Cost » Moderately Low ESR » Good Tolerance to Transients » Open Circuit Failure Mode	» Very Low ESR » High RCR » Stable Over Temperature » Moderate Cost » Good Tolerance to Transients » Open Circuit Failure Mode	» Lowest ESR » Highest RCR » Stable Over Temperature » Long Life, No Wear-Out
CONS	» Limited Life @ High Temp » Wear-Out » Reduced performance at Low Temperature	» Limited Life @ High Temp » Wear-Out	» Highest Cost » Limited Tolerance to Transients » Short Circuit Failure Mode
CONSTRUCTION
Typical 100KHz ESR & RCR [ 100uF / 6VDC ]	ESR = 0.39ohm MAX RCR = 0.25Arms MAX	ESR = 0.050ohm MAX RCR = 1.12Arms MAX	ESR = 0.039ohm MAX RCR = 2.50Arms MAX
NIC SERIES	LIQUID	HYBRID	SOLID
ESR = Equivalent Series Resistance (ohm) RCR = Ripple (AC) Current Rating

Features & FIT Rate Comparison of NSP SOLID ALUMINUM types

NIC Series	Application Guide	Package	Features	Construction	Estimated Field Failure Rates*
NSP	NSP Series	Molded Flat Chip	Low Profile Lower ESL**	Stacked Element	Less than 0.13FIT
* - At +45degC, 60% confidence level ** - ESL - Equivalent Series Inductance (nH): Lower ESL means better performance at high frequency