Gallery View: Thick-film resistors lead supply

Chip resistors from China makers come in 01005, 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 2010 and 2512.

Classified into materials, the range of chip resistors in China consists of thick- and thin-film, and metal alloy types in sizes of 01005, 0201, 0402, 0603, 0805, 1206, 1210, 2010 and 2512. The first represents 80 percent of output, and the last two have respective portions of 12 and 8 percent.

Thick-film units are the most commonly used resistors in electric and electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet and notebook PCs and TVs. These have 1ohm to 100Mohm resistance value, ±0.1, ±0.5, ±1, ±2, ±5 and ±10 percent tolerance, and ±50 to ±200ppm/C TCR.

Thin-film counterparts, which display high precision and stability, are mainly employed in measuring and monitoring equipment, precision control, and medical and audio devices. These have 0.1ohm to 20Mohm, while ±0.1 percent and ±25ppm/C are typical for tolerance and TCR. Advanced models can reach as high as ±0.05 percent and as low as ±5ppm/C. The smallest is in 0201.

Metal-alloy chip resistors are for current detection, and find wide application in LED drivers, mobile devices, frequency converters, automotive electronics and industrial control. Resistance value ranges from 0.5 to 200mohm, while tolerance is usually ±1, ±2 or ±5 percent and TCR ±50 and ±100ppm/C. Common sizes on offer include 0805, 1206, 2010, 2512, 2817 and 4320.

Between 70 and 80 percent of Guangdong Fenghua Advanced Technology Holding Co. Ltd's chip resistors are thick-film types, about 10 percent thin-film units and the rest metal-alloy kinds. The company's mainstream models are still in 0201, 0402, and 0603.

The metal-alloy segment accounts for approximately 60 percent of Shenzhen Jingdacheng Electronics Co. Ltd's chip turnout and thick-film models the remainder. The maker can offer 0201 to 2512 versions, but those in 2010 and above dominate its selection.

Thick-film units represent 70 percent of Sichuan Yongxing Electronics Co. Ltd's chip resistors, metal-alloy 20 percent and thin-film varieties the rest.

Thick- and thin-film types have a ceramic substrate, resistive layer, internal metal electrodes, protective coating, marking layer and termination. Metal-alloy kinds consist of a metal substrate, protective coating and end termination.

Manufacturers obtain the ceramic input from local providers, mainly from Chaozhou Three-Circle. Metal substrates come from Taiwan companies. Resistive paste is from domestic and foreign companies, with DuPont of the US and Sumitomo of Japan as key suppliers. Guangdong Fenghua makes its own resistive paste.

The rest of the materials and components are sourced in mainland China.

The supply and cost of these inputs are stable and will keep prices of chip resistors unchanged in 2017.

Here is a selection of chip resistors from mainland China.

Thin-film chip resistor based on NiCr

The Thin Film Chip Resistor model from Guangdong Fenghua Advanced Technology Holding Co. Ltd adopts NiCr resistive materials and uses sputtering technology. It has sulfide and moisture resistance. The unit has ±0.05 to 1 percent precision and ±5 to ±50ppm/C TCR. It is widely used in medical instruments, testing and measuring equipment, and hi-fi stereo systems. The maker requires a minimum order of 1 reel. Delivery lead time is 15 days.

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Automotive-grade thick-film chip resistor

Guangdong Fenghua Advanced Technology Holding Co. Ltd's Automotive Grade Thick Film Chip Resistor model has 1ohm to 10Mohm resistance value and ±0.5 to 10 percent precision. It comes in 0402, 0603, 0805 and 1206 sizes. The unit meets the AEC-Q200 standard. An order of 1 reel is delivered within 7 days.

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Metal-strip current-sensing chip resistor

Shenzhen Jingdacheng Electronics Co. Ltd's model LR251222R070F2 current-sensing chip resistor has 0.5 to 15mohm or customized resistance value, ±50 or ±100ppm/C TCR, and up to 3W power rating. It suits automotive, and motherboard, northbridge and monitor power management, and switching power supply applications. The last includes DC-DC converters, chargers and adapters.

The metal-strip unit has low inductance. It comes in 1206, 2010, 2512, 2725, 2728, 4527 and 4527S variants. The minimum order is 2,000 units for delivery within 5 days.

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Thick-film chip resistor in TO-220 or TO-263 package

This thick-film chip resistor from Sichuan Yongxing Electronics Co. Ltd, RMG10A model, uses a TO-220 or TO-263 package. It comes in 25 or 35W kinds. The noninductive unit suits high-frequency power supplies and current-sensing applications.

The minimum order is 1,000 units. Delivery is within 21 days.

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