Passive Components Blog
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • NewsFilter
    • All
    • Aerospace & Defence
    • Antenna
    • Applications
    • Automotive
    • Capacitors
    • Circuit Protection Devices
    • electro-mechanical news
    • Filters
    • Fuses
    • Inductors
    • Industrial
    • Integrated Passives
    • inter-connect news
    • Market & Supply Chain
    • Market Insights
    • Medical
    • Modelling and Simulation
    • New Materials & Supply
    • New Technologies
    • Non-linear Passives
    • Oscillators
    • Passive Sensors News
    • Resistors
    • RF & Microwave
    • Telecommunication
    • Weekly Digest

    TDK Introduces High Current 80VDC Board-Mount EMI Filters

    Bourns Releases High Heat Tolerant TO-227 Thick Film Resistor

    TDK Increases Current Ratings of Automotive Thin-Film Power Inductors

    Sumida Announces New DC Common Mode Choke Coil Series

    KYOCERA AVX Releases New 3dB Hybrid Couplers

    SCHURTER Unveils High Voltage Fuses for EV Applications

    YAGEO Releases First to Market 750V Aluminum Capacitors

    binder Introduces M9 Compact Circular Connector

    Smolteks CNF-MIM Capacitors Meet Thermal and Voltage Stability Industry Requirements

    Trending Tags

    • Ripple Current
    • RF
    • Leakage Current
    • Tantalum vs Ceramic
    • Snubber
    • Low ESR
    • Feedthrough
    • Derating
    • Dielectric Constant
    • New Products
    • Market Reports
  • VideoFilter
    • All
    • Antenna videos
    • Capacitor videos
    • Circuit Protection Video
    • Filter videos
    • Fuse videos
    • Inductor videos
    • Inter-Connect Video
    • Non-linear passives videos
    • Oscillator videos
    • Passive sensors videos
    • Resistor videos

    Accelerating Full Bridge LLC Resonant Converter Design with Frenetic AI

    Understanding Switched Capacitor Converters

    Coupled Inductors Circuit Model and Examples of its Applications

    Inductor Resonances and its Impact to EMI

    Highly Reliable Flex Rigid PCBs, Würth Elektronik Webinar

    Causes of Oscillations in Flyback Converters

    How to design a 60W Flyback Transformer

    Modeling and Simulation of Leakage Inductance

    Power Inductor Considerations for AI High Power Computing – Vishay Video

    Trending Tags

    • Capacitors explained
    • Inductors explained
    • Resistors explained
    • Filters explained
    • Application Video Guidelines
    • EMC
    • New Products
    • Ripple Current
    • Simulation
    • Tantalum vs Ceramic
  • Knowledge Blog
  • Suppliers
    • Who is Who
  • Events
  • Home
  • NewsFilter
    • All
    • Aerospace & Defence
    • Antenna
    • Applications
    • Automotive
    • Capacitors
    • Circuit Protection Devices
    • electro-mechanical news
    • Filters
    • Fuses
    • Inductors
    • Industrial
    • Integrated Passives
    • inter-connect news
    • Market & Supply Chain
    • Market Insights
    • Medical
    • Modelling and Simulation
    • New Materials & Supply
    • New Technologies
    • Non-linear Passives
    • Oscillators
    • Passive Sensors News
    • Resistors
    • RF & Microwave
    • Telecommunication
    • Weekly Digest

    TDK Introduces High Current 80VDC Board-Mount EMI Filters

    Bourns Releases High Heat Tolerant TO-227 Thick Film Resistor

    TDK Increases Current Ratings of Automotive Thin-Film Power Inductors

    Sumida Announces New DC Common Mode Choke Coil Series

    KYOCERA AVX Releases New 3dB Hybrid Couplers

    SCHURTER Unveils High Voltage Fuses for EV Applications

    YAGEO Releases First to Market 750V Aluminum Capacitors

    binder Introduces M9 Compact Circular Connector

    Smolteks CNF-MIM Capacitors Meet Thermal and Voltage Stability Industry Requirements

    Trending Tags

    • Ripple Current
    • RF
    • Leakage Current
    • Tantalum vs Ceramic
    • Snubber
    • Low ESR
    • Feedthrough
    • Derating
    • Dielectric Constant
    • New Products
    • Market Reports
  • VideoFilter
    • All
    • Antenna videos
    • Capacitor videos
    • Circuit Protection Video
    • Filter videos
    • Fuse videos
    • Inductor videos
    • Inter-Connect Video
    • Non-linear passives videos
    • Oscillator videos
    • Passive sensors videos
    • Resistor videos

    Accelerating Full Bridge LLC Resonant Converter Design with Frenetic AI

    Understanding Switched Capacitor Converters

    Coupled Inductors Circuit Model and Examples of its Applications

    Inductor Resonances and its Impact to EMI

    Highly Reliable Flex Rigid PCBs, Würth Elektronik Webinar

    Causes of Oscillations in Flyback Converters

    How to design a 60W Flyback Transformer

    Modeling and Simulation of Leakage Inductance

    Power Inductor Considerations for AI High Power Computing – Vishay Video

    Trending Tags

    • Capacitors explained
    • Inductors explained
    • Resistors explained
    • Filters explained
    • Application Video Guidelines
    • EMC
    • New Products
    • Ripple Current
    • Simulation
    • Tantalum vs Ceramic
  • Knowledge Blog
  • Suppliers
    • Who is Who
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Passive Components Blog
No Result
View All Result

Niobium Oxide Advantages over Tantalum as a Capacitor Dielectric

28.6.2022
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A

Niobium oxide is a sister metal to tantalum, and shares many chemical characteristics with it, in addition to a few advantages of its own when used as a capacitor dielectric.

NATURAL ADVANTAGES NIOBIUM OXIDE HAS OVER TANTALUM AS A CAPACITOR DIELECTRIC

RelatedPosts

TDK Introduces High Current 80VDC Board-Mount EMI Filters

Bourns Releases High Heat Tolerant TO-227 Thick Film Resistor

TDK Increases Current Ratings of Automotive Thin-Film Power Inductors

Niobium capacitor technology has existed for decades, but its inherent direct current leakage instability and the lack of high purity niobium metal powders combined to arrest the development of this class of capacitors until recently.

Now the development of special doping techniques to improve the DCL performance of niobium oxide capacitors and the scaling up of niobium powder production have resulted in viable commercial production, and manufacturers such as AVX, Vishay or Holy Stone produce several series of surface mount niobium capacitors for commercial, industrial and automotive applications.

ADVANTAGES OF NIOBIUM OXIDE CAPACITORS

Its thin dielectric oxide layer and high dielectric strength combine to produce high volumetric capacitance ratings in similar ratio with tantalum capacitors. It is this affinity with long-established tantalum technology, plus the advantages outlined below, that make niobium oxide devices a growing sector of today’s capacitor marketplace.

  •  Abundance: an important advantage of niobium is the abundance of niobium ore in nature relative to tantalum ore; this relative abundance equates to lower cost and better availability within the capacitor marketplace.
  • Flame Retardant: niobium oxide has a far higher ignition energy than tantalum which results in a significant reduction (up to 95%) of the ignition failure mode of niobium oxide capacitors when compared to conventional tantalum devices.
  • Self-arresting mechanism: In addition to the self-healing known on conventional tantalum MnO2 capacitors, the NbO capacitors are featuring one more feature when it is exposed to local breakdown, the NbO dielectric will transform into a NbO2 semiconductor as a “second” insulation protecting the part to go to short circuit mode. Such part then continue normal operation.
  • High Reliability: the natural high reliability performance of niobium oxide capacitors makes them suitable for high performance industrial and automotive applications such as airbag controls, in-cabin entertainment systems, and seat position modules
  • Light Weight: Niobium oxide powder is half the density of tantalum powder which makes niobium capacitors a practical choice for portable and wearable electronic devices
  • Deating rule: 20% derating is sufficient compare to 50% typical derating recommended for conventional tantalum MnO2 capacitors in power, high surge applications.
  • Niobium oxide capacitors are produced using the same moulded case styles and industry standard footprints as conventional surface mount tantalum capacitors, in capacitance ratings up to 1,000µF and voltage ratings from 1.8Vdc to 10Vdc

LIMITATIONS

  • The main limitation is the maximum rated voltage – 10V, with recommended derating 20% it means the technology is suitable for operating voltages up to 8V maximum.
  • ESR is in line with conventional tantalum MnO2 capacitors that is higher compare to tantalum polymer types offering lower ESR capability
  • Product range does not offer low profile, high CV variants.
  • Maximum 125C parts with higher temperature derating above 85C.

Conclusion

Niobium Oxide capacitors are viable alternative to circuits with operating voltages up to 8V. If you do not need highest energy density in extreme low profile, the NbO capacitors may bring you the benefit in reliable and safe long term operation.

Refer further to tantalum capacitors knowledge base article: https://passive-components.eu/tantalums-capacitors/

Related

Recent Posts

TDK Introduces High Current 80VDC Board-Mount EMI Filters

2.7.2025
15

Bourns Releases High Heat Tolerant TO-227 Thick Film Resistor

2.7.2025
9

TDK Increases Current Ratings of Automotive Thin-Film Power Inductors

1.7.2025
17

Sumida Announces New DC Common Mode Choke Coil Series

1.7.2025
10

SCHURTER Unveils High Voltage Fuses for EV Applications

30.6.2025
7

YAGEO Releases First to Market 750V Aluminum Capacitors

30.6.2025
33

Smolteks CNF-MIM Capacitors Meet Thermal and Voltage Stability Industry Requirements

30.6.2025
18

Learn How Supercapacitors Enhance Power System in Knowles eBook

30.6.2025
13

TDK Releases Industry First 1uF 100V X7R MLCCs in 1608 Case

27.6.2025
19

YAGEO Expands One Turn Inductors for AI and High-Efficiency Power Applications

27.6.2025
33

Upcoming Events

Jul 23
13:00 - 14:00 CEST

PCB design for a Smartwatch

Jul 29
16:00 - 17:00 CEST

Impact of Elevated Voltage and Temperature on Molded Power Inductors in DC/DC converters

View Calendar

Popular Posts

  • Buck Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Boost Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Flyback Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What is a Dielectric Constant and DF of Plastic Materials?

    4 shares
    Share 4 Tweet 0
  • LLC Resonant Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ripple Current and its Effects on the Performance of Capacitors

    3 shares
    Share 3 Tweet 0
  • How to Design an Inductor

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Dual Active Bridge (DAB) Topology Explained

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • SEPIC Converter Design and Calculation

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Why Low ESR Matters in Capacitor Design

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter Subscription

 

Passive Components Blog

© EPCI - Leading Passive Components Educational and Information Site

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • EPCI Membership & Advertisement
  • About

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Knowledge Blog
  • Premium Suppliers

© EPCI - Leading Passive Components Educational and Information Site

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version