Behind The Mystery of Electromagnetic Compatibility Design 14
Table 1: Construction possibilities of electrolytic capacitors
(Source: Würth Elektronik Group)
FRANK PUHANE
WÜRTH ELEKTRONIK
Aluminum Electrolytic
vs. Aluminum Polymer
Capacitor
Figure 1: Equivalent circuit diagram of a real capacitor
(Source: Würth Elektronik Group)
Understanding Polymer Electrolytic Capacitors
Aluminum polymer capacitors are a sub-form of electrolytic
capacitors. The unique feature of aluminum electrolytic capacitors is
using a conductive polymer instead of a liquid electrolyte. During the
manufacturing process, a chemical reaction known as polymerization,
a liquid monomer instead of an electrolyte is impregnated onto the
separator paper—insulator—and heated while cross-linked to a
solid polymer. The result is the growth of a new electrical conductive
polymer. The various combinations that are possible today for
electrolytic capacitors fabrication in electrodes and the property of
the electrolyte are shown in Table 1. This application note discusses
the use of aluminum polymer capacitors in the field of filtering and
voltage smoothing.
