Analysis on performances of niobium and tantalum capacitor

Ta and Nb are elements in the same group and both one of valve metal materials, whose dielectric constant are 27 and 41 respectively. Both of them can be used in the manufacture of electrolytic capacitors. In the study work, we fabricated Ta and Nb electrolytic capacitors by using Ta and Nb materials respectively. Through using many kinds of instrument such as LCR meter, DLC (DC Current Leakage) tester and SEM, we made tests and analyses on the initial properties, DC bias, temperature dependent and life performance as well as the microstructure and characteristics of the dielectric film. The result shows Nb as a material could be used to produce Nb electrolytic capacitor with better performance.