TDK, Kyocera AVX, and Vishay have each unveiled new capacitor families designed to meet the demands of specialized industries; these use cases include vibration-resistant aluminum electrolytics for cars, space-saving stacked ceramics for defense, and high-voltage discs for medical scanners.
Each capacitor launch reflects how passive components are keeping pace with the broader technology landscape.
TDK designed its new B41699 and B41799 axial capacitors specifically to enhance the current automotive environments where space, heat, and vibration collide. Rated for temperatures up to +140°C and designed to withstand vibration levels of up to 60 g, these aluminum electrolytic capacitors are well-suited for electric power steering, fan control, and transmission systems.
Their high capacitance values, ranging from 1,800 µF to 13,000 µF, combined with ripple currents of up to 34.6 A at 10 kHz, reduce the total number of capacitors needed in a module. By shrinking footprint requirements without compromising robustness, they let engineers simplify powertrain electronics while meeting AEC-Q200 and RoHS standards.
Flexible mounting options, such as axial lead or soldering star, facilitate easier integration across various layouts. The long storage life of up to 15 years at +35°C ensures durability throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. These qualities make the devices particularly attractive in xEV platforms, where high thermal and mechanical stresses are constant.
For aerospace and defense, capacitor reliability can make or break a mission. Kyocera AVX designed its new DSCC 25007 Mini BME Stacks with exactly that in mind. These stacked X7R capacitors utilize base metal electrodes and are fully traceable, featuring 100% Group A testing to meet stringent MIL-PRF-32535 standards.
The initial two-chip stack in an EIA 2220 package offers capacitance values from 8.2 µF to 47 µF, with voltage ratings at 25 V, 50 V, and 100 V. Compared to equivalent PME capacitors, they achieve massive space and weight reductions, which is roughly one-ninth the weight and one-sixth the volume. In satellites, missiles, and aircraft, cutting weight is always a priority since it directly affects payload limits and launch costs, even if these capacitors barely weigh anything to begin with.
These stacked capacitors also handle vibration and high currents more effectively, which is crucial in aerospace hardware that must continue to operate despite constant shocks, movement, and temperature fluctuations.
Vishay designed its HVCC Class 1 radial-leaded disc capacitors for industrial and medical equipment that rely on stable, high-voltage operation. The series offers capacitance values between 100 pF and 1 nF and is rated for up to 15 kVDC. Operating temperatures can range from –30°C to +85°C, providing the devices with the resilience required for environments where thermal stability is just as crucial as electrical performance.
The capacitors exhibit a dissipation factor of less than 1.0% at 1 kHz and a capacitance loss of less than 25% at 15 kV, thereby reducing the HVCC series' power losses compared to typical Class 2 devices. In high-voltage applications, such as generators for X-ray systems, baggage scanners, pulsed lasers, or ionizers, providing lower energy waste, improved stability, and reliable long-term performance is crucial. The ability to hold capacitance under load is especially important for imaging and scanning systems, where accuracy and uptime depend on consistent component behavior.
Taken together, these three product releases demonstrate how capacitor design is evolving over time to meet the current market demands. TDK’s aluminum electrolytics provide compact, vibration-resistant energy storage for automotive systems. Kyocera AVX’s stacked ceramic capacitors deliver high reliability with reduced size and weight for aerospace and defense hardware. Vishay’s ceramic discs address efficiency in industrial and medical high-voltage equipment.
In Partnership with Samtec
by Duane Benson
by Jake Hertz
by Rohde & Schwarz
by Aitor Moreno, Ignion
Don’t have an AAC account? Create one now.
Forgot your password? Click here.
