Accelerated testing for failures of tantalum capacitors

This Study focused on the use of accelerated testing to find out why tantalum capacitors fail. Stress effects of humidity, temperature, and ripple voltage were examined in different combinations. Results show that a standard 85/85 test with combined enhanced moisture and temperature does not result in failure of tantalum capacitors in 2500 h. However, with added ripple voltage, failures may occur in a relatively short time. High relative humidity and high temperature both affect water diffusion, but apparently increased ripple voltage in 85/85 testing causes tantalum capacitor characteristics to weaken and capacitors to fail. The paper elaborates on the possible reasons. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.