Sprague Goodman Tantalum Capacitors - Wet
/Organic
Tantalum capacitors are used for a variety of applications because of their small size and relatively high capacitance values. They are constructed using a tantalum pool dielectric and can be divided into two categories: wet or organic.
Wet or electrolytic tantalum capacitors have an electrolyte inside them to store a large amount of energy. The electrolyte delivers an even current, that prevents rapid changes in the capacitor’s charge, and therefore makes these components ideal for high current applications. A benefit of wet tantalum capacitors is that they are robust and have a high volumetric efficiency. This means that they hold more energy per unit of volume than other types of capacitors.
Organic or solid tantalum capacitors have a non-liquid dielectric in them, usually made out of a polymeric material. Organic tantalum capacitors are capable of very low leakage which makes them ideal for low voltage applications. These capacitors also have a higher capacitance density than wet tantalum capacitors, meaning that they can store more energy in a given volume. One benefit of these types of capacitors is that they are less prone to failure and so more reliable in the long run.