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Vishay Intertechnology has been making moves in the tantalum space of late.
Last month, the Fortune 100 company released the first airtight, tantalum-cased capacitor to meet key specifications for avionics and aerospace systems, and on November 12, the company launched a new series of surface-mount solid tantalum chip capacitors.
Both electronic components meet well-established industry specifications, which is critical for designers creating avionics, aerospace and munitions systems.
Fewer capacitors, lower costs
The first of Vishay’s capacitors, announced on October 23, was designed to meet military specification code MIL-PRF-39006/33, which is intended to ensure “established reliability for critical avionics and aerospace systems.” That’s key, since designers need to know they can rely on new components to hold up.
In terms of benefits, Vishay’s new capacitor has quite a few. The component has been optimized for “timing, filtering, energy hold-up, and pulse power applications in power supplies for space and avionics equipment.” All of those properties allow designers to use fewer capacitors in their products, bringing down overall system costs — a plus for any manufacturer.
Military standard
Another tantalum capacitor released last week seems even hardier, meeting specifications for critical avionics and munitions systems. Specifically, the device is optimized for timing applications within those types of systems, and offers high reliability with burn-in at rated voltage for a minimum of 40 hours. Also, its airtight seal eliminates moisture sensitivity, an important consideration for military applications.
Cased in tantalum with an airtight seal, the capacitors are capable of operating at extreme temperatures, from -55°C to +85°C, or even as high as +125°C with a voltage derating. No doubt, that’s a key consideration for devices meant to work in harsher environments.
The benefits of tantalum
As critical metals investors will know, electronic components made of tantalum are nothing new. Since the material allows for the storage of electricity in small capacitors, it can be found in everyday electronic items, such as your iPhone.
Still, new advances in the development of tantalum components are important to note, and interested critical metals investors will certainly be keeping eye on tech companies and electronics manufacturers making waves with tantalum.
At close of day on Tuesday, shares of Vishay Intertechnology were up 2.38 percent, or 32 cents, trading at $13.77.
Securities Disclosure: I, Teresa Matich, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.