High-temperature Film Capacitors for Power Electronics Applications

Aerovox Corp. has developed a patent-pending technology that increases the stability of polypropylene film capacitors in high temperature applications. The company's new UltraTherm™ technology improves dielectric breakdown strength by 20% or more versus traditional designs (≤105 degrees C). Testing of Aerovox capacitors to 155 degrees C using UltraTherm technology has demonstrated minimal capacitance change and robust dc breakdown over a broad temperature range.

Many advanced power electronics applications in the automotive, aviation and other industries operate at high temperature (>105 degrees C). Reasonably priced film capacitors with desirable electrical characteristics have not been available or if used, have a short operating life due to demanding the performance requirements of high temperature applications.

“Addition of UltraTherm technology to polypropylene capacitors operating at high temperature will provide significant technical and economic benefits,” said Jim Faughnan, President and CEO. “Aerovox has employed a unique engineering dielectric design approach to address performance failures that, to date, have been costly and complex to solve.”

Addition of UltraTherm will increase the usable operating life of polypropylene capacitors in high temperature applications, potentially replacing problematic ceramic and tantalum capacitors. In addition to the automotive and aviation industries, performance of many dc link applications and dc applications with high rms current will benefit from the technology.