KEMET Adds First-To-Market Voltage Values To Tantalum Polymer Portfolio

The T540 and T541 Polymer COTS Series Now Include 35 and 50 Volt Products

Greenville, SC - KEMET Corporation, a leading manufacturer of tantalum, ceramic, aluminum, film, paper and electrolytic capacitors, recently announced additions to its T540 and T541 Polymer Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Series of tantalum surface mount capacitors. First-to-market 35 and 50 volt Polymer COTS products provide a better solution than traditional MnO2 devices for certain high reliability applications including radar pulse capacitor, point of load power supply and switch mode power supply.

“With ESR’s as low as 6 milliohms and excellent power dissipating ability, the T540 and T541 Series result in significantly lower capacitance roll-off at higher frequencies and lower temperatures, and provide ripple current capability approximately three times higher than the equivalent MnO2 capacitor,” said Dr. Philip Lessner, KEMET’s Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Scientist. “These features, along with low voltage derating, allow for use of smaller and, in some product designs, up to 90% fewer capacitors to support device function.

“The T540 and T541 Series have been designed, manufactured and tested to insure high reliability and robust performance,” stated Per Loof, KEMET’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our ability to achieve more power with smaller components and fewer parts translates into significant performance advantages for KEMET customers.

Typical markets include alternative energy, industrial, lighting, medical, defense and aerospace, and telecommunications. These devices range in price from $5 to $12 and complement KEMET’s T493, T497 and T513 series of COTS capacitors.

Additional Technical Information
The T540 and T541 Series are part of the KEMET Organic Capacitor (KO-CAP) product family. KO-CAPs are tantalum capacitors with a Ta anode and Ta2O5dielectric. A conductive organic polymer replaces traditionally used MnO2 as the cathode plate of the capacitor. KO-CAPs may also be operated at steady state voltages at up to 90% of rated voltage for part types with rated voltages of ≤10 volts and up to 80% of rated voltage for part types >10 volts. These products are available with a tin lead (SnPb) leadframe finish, surge current testing options and standard or low ESR levels.

The KO-CAP polymer cathode technology, combined with a multiple anode design, enables the T541 Series to deliver the lowest ESR values in the industry.