What are SMD Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors?
Aluminium electrolytic capacitors are polarized electrolytic capacitors whose anode electrode (+) is made of a pure aluminium foil with an etched surface. The aluminium forms a very thin insulating layer of aluminium oxide by anodization that acts as the dielectric of the capacitor. A non-solid electrolyte covers the rough surface of the oxide layer, serving in principle as the second electrode (cathode) (-) of the capacitor. A second aluminium foil called “cathode foil” contacts the electrolyte and serves as the electrical connection to the negative terminal of the capacitor.
Due to their relatively high capacitance values aluminium electrolytic capacitors have low impedance values even at lower frequencies like mains frequency. They are typically used in power supplies, switched-mode power supplies and DC-DC converters for smoothing and buffering rectified DC voltages in many electronic devices as well as in industrial power supplies and frequency converters as DC link capacitors for drives, inverters for photovoltaic, and converters in wind power plants. Special types are used for energy storage, for example in photoflash or strobe applications or for signal coupling in audio applications.
Aluminium electrolytic capacitors with non-solid electrolyte are available in different styles, including SMDs (V-chip) for surface mounting on printed circuit boards or substrates.
Panasonic’s SMD Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors offer high reliability, long life, low impedance, and high ripple current in the AL-E top-class. They are used in in-vehicle electric equipment. Anti-vibration types (more than ø 8) are supported as well.
The products are RoHS directive (2011/65/EU) and Pb free reflow soldering compliant
Multicomp Pro’s SMD Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitor range is designed for surface mounting on high density PC boards, and supplied with carrier taping for automatic mounting machine. The manufacturer guarantees 2,000 hours at 85°C.
