# Features of Tantalum Capacitor

**URL:** <https://forum.digikey.com/t/features-of-tantalum-capacitor/611>\
**Category:** Capacitors\
**Tags:** faqs, tantalum-capacitors, part-comparison\
**Created:** [October 10, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/features-of-tantalum-capacitor/611 "2017-10-10T05:00:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Barley\_Li](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/barley_li/32/558_2.png) [@Barley\_Li](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Barley_Li)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2017, 5:00am UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/features-of-tantalum-capacitor/611/1 "2017-10-10T05:00:00Z")

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[**Tantalum capacitors**](https://www.digikey.com/short/q7rfhdzw) are electrolytic capacitors which use tantalum metal as the anode and passivated tantalum pentoxide as the dielectric. They are polarized capacitors with superior frequency and stability characteristics. Their capacitance doesn’t change with age significantly.

 ![Tantalum capacitor](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/1X/5aad34e026275d6a31dac1d1487af4d9f562bd8a.JPG)

Please note that tantalum capacitors are very sensitive to reverse polarization. If a reverse polarity voltage is applied, the dielectric oxide breaks down, sometimes forming a short circuit. This short circuit may later cause thermal runaway and destruction of the capacitor.

#### Comparision between different kinds of capacitors

| Type | Aluminum Electrolytic | Multilayer Ceramic | Tantalum | Film |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dielectric | Aluminum Oxide | Several Ceramics | Tantalum Pentoxide | Plastic Film |
| Advantage | Wide array of   
 breakdown voltages  
and capacitances | Good high frequency  
characteristics.  
No polarity | Small package.  
Large, stable   
 capacitance | High breakdown level  
 No polarity. |
| Disadvantage | Electrolyte leakage limits life.   
 Large package size.   
 Polarity | Capacitance varies depending on voltage and temperature.   
Cracking/Chipping possible. | Short-Circuit possible.   
There is polarity | Small Capacitance   
 Less package variety. |