Introduction

KEMET entered the world of aluminum capacitors with

the introduction of the AO-CAP, designated the A700

Series, which has been targeted for power management

applications. The structure of the AO-CAP uses alu-

minum as the anode material, aluminum oxide as the

dielectric, and a conductive organic polymer for its

counter-electrode material. The A700 series is 100%

screened for all electrical parameters: Capacitance @

120Hz, Dissipation Factor (DF) @ 120 Hz, ESR @ 100

kHz, and DC Leakage.

The AO-CAP offers many advantages including extreme-

ly low ESR, high capacitance retention at high operating

frequencies, no dry-out related failure mechanism and

no voltage de-rating up to125°C.

ELECTRICAL

1. Operating Temperature Range

• -55°C to +125°C

No derating with temperature is required.

2. Non-Operating Temperature Range

• -55°C to 125°C

3. Capacitance and Tolerance

• 22µF to 470µF

• ±20% Tolerance

Capacitance is measured at 120 Hz, up to 1.0 volt

rms maximum and up to 2.5V DC maximum. DC

bias causes only a small reduction in capacitance,

up to about 2% when full rated voltage is applied.

DC bias is not commonly used for room temperature

measurements but is more commonly used when

measuring at temperature extremes.

Capacitance does decrease with increasing fre-

quency, but not nearly as much or as quickly as

standard tantalums. Figure 1 compares the frequen-

cy induced cap roll-off between the AO-CAP and tra-

with increasing temperature. See Section 12 for tem-

perature coefficients.

Figure 1.

4. Voltage Ratings

• 2 - 10 VDC Rated Voltage

This is the maximum peak DC operating voltage

from -55°C to +125°C for continuous duty.

Surge Voltage Ratings

Surge voltage capability is demonstrated by applica-

tion of 1000 cycles of the relevant voltage at 25°C,

85°C, or 125 °C. The parts are charged through a 33

ohm resistor for 30 seconds and then discharged

through a 33 ohm resistor for 30 seconds for each

cycle.

Voltage Ratings • Table 1

5. Reverse Voltage Rating & Polarity

Aluminum polymer capacitors are polar devices and

may be permanently damaged or destroyed if con-

nected in the wrong polarity. The positive terminal is

identified by a laser-marked stripe. These capacitors

will withstand a certain degree of transient voltage

reversal for short periods as shown in the following

table. Please note that these parts may not be oper-

ated continuously in reverse, even within these limits.

Table 2

6. DC Leakage Current

Because of the high conductivity of the polymer, the

AO-CAP family has higher leakage currents than tra-

limits at 25°C are calculated as 0.06 x C x V, (where

C is cap in µF and V is rated voltage in Volts) for

part types with rated voltage

≤ 4V, and equals 0.04 x

C x V, for voltages > 4V. Limits for all part numbers

are listed in the ratings tables.

Rated

Surge

Voltage

Voltage

-55°C to 125 °C

2V

2.6V

2.5V

3.2V

4V

5.2V

6.3V

8V

8V

10.4V

10V

13V

Temperature

Permissible Transient Reverse Voltage

25°C

60% of Rated Voltage

55°C

50% of Rated Voltage

85°C

40% of Rated Voltage

125°C

30% of Rated Voltage

©KEMET Electronics Corporation, P.O. Box 5928, Greenville, S.C. 29606, (864) 963-6300

ALUMINUM ORGANIC CAPACITORS

Performance Characteristics

58