Guangdong Fengming's model 5UF 400VDC metallized PP film capacitor for ultrathin induction cookers has 5µF capacitance at 400VDC.

Improved product performance stays a key trend. SMD variants and units for new-energy industries broaden range.

China manufacturers of metallized film capacitors are strengthening the category, spurred by the forecast 15 percent annual sales growth in coming years. While most continue to enhance the performance of mature types, major players venture into the development of SMD units and variants for new-energy industries.

Under efforts to follow the miniaturization trend in application products, large manufacturers such as Xiamen Faratronic are introducing SMD kinds. The supplier offers polyethylene naphtalate or PEN-based stacked models in sizes of 1812, 2220, 2824, 4030 5040 and 6054. These units are mainly adopted in XDSL products, base stations, multiplexers, and automotive safety and engine control systems, radios, navigation systems and air-conditioning. HID lamps, electronic ballasts, DC-DC converters, LCDs and plasma display panels are the other uses.

SMD configurations account for less than 10 percent of China’s metallized film capacitor output. Most come from foreign-invested businesses there. Only a few local companies turn out such types due to the high manufacturing technology and as demand is still low.

China suppliers are eyeing the growing “green” segments, encompassing solar and wind power, and electric and hybrid vehicles. Xiamen Faratronic invested $18 million in 2012 to increase annual capacity to 300 million μF for these applications in 2H14. It is expecting the venture to bolster revenue by more than 25 percent in coming years.

For most manufacturers, lighting and home appliances remain the key markets, accounting for about 60 percent of output and more than 60 percent of sales. Guangdong Fengming Electronic Tech. Co. Ltd and Xiamen Faratronic derive the bulk of their businesses from them.

Complementing product initiatives is manufacturing capacity expansion as suppliers also take advantage of healthy demand from the telecom, power supplies, industrial control and automotive electronics sectors. Guangdong Fengming plans to move to a new factory to boost current capability, which is 2 million units per day. Shenzhen Shanrui Electronics Co. Ltd has two facilities with a combined area surpassing 5,500sqm, and can handle 100 million units monthly. The latter expects 10 percent higher revenue by year-end.

To enhance competitiveness in mainstream applications, makers concentrate on improving the product’s self-healing properties by adopting 6μm and below metallized film. They will release more such models in the months ahead. Most versions in the current selection use 7μm material, with the choices respectively ranging from 2.8 to 20μm and 0.9 to 23μm in the PP and polyester-based subcategories. Companies also emphasize high stability and insulation resistance, low inductance and EMI suppression.

Metallized variants dominate mainland China’s supply of film capacitors. They have about 70 percent turnout share at Shenzhen Topmay Electronic Co. Ltd, over 90 percent at Shenzhen Shanrui and 100 percent at Guangdong Fengming.

The mainland is the largest manufacturing hub for the line, producing more than 40 percent of the global total. About 150 suppliers make up the pool, of which 80 percent are locally owned. Xiamen Faratronic, Nantong Jianghai and Anhui Tongfeng are among the key ones. The international players there include Panasonic, Kemet, TDK, Vishay and those from Taiwan.

About half of the makers gather in the province of Guangdong. The rest are in Fujian, Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

PP, polyester types lead

The mainland’s selection is based on various metallized plastic film such as PP, polyester, PEN, PPS and PC. The first two have a collective portion exceeding 90 percent of total yield.

PP units exhibit low dissipation factor and good frequency behavior. They are mainly used in high-frequency and –current applications in the industrial, lighting and consumer electronics fields. The polyester counterparts feature elevated dielectric constant, which suits blocking and coupling, bypassing, decoupling, filtering, timing, low-pulse and oscillator circuits.

By lead form, the category is classified into radial and axial variants. The former forms the mainstream lineup.

The options in terms of package are dipped, boxed, uncoated and SMD. The first two have an aggregate share of about 90 percent. Dipped units feature epoxy resin coating. Boxed models come with a plastic or metal housing and have epoxy resin sealing. The types of metal used in the latter kind are aluminum and stainless steel.

Based on metal coating, there are varieties that employ aluminum, zinc or the combination of both.

Most products comply with CQC, cUL, ENEC, RoHS, TÜV, UL and VDE.

Metallized plastic film accounts for about 70 percent of costs. Makers source the material locally. Anhui Tongfeng, Zhejiang Nanyang and Xiamen Faratronic are among the major providers.

Suppliers will keep prices stable in coming months despite climbing labor expenditure.

Product gallery

Guangdong Fengming Electronic Tech. Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: 5UF 400VDC
MOQ: 5,000 units
Delivery: 10 days
Description: PP dielectric; 5μF capacitance at 400VDC; 26.5mm pitch; 30x11.5x27mm; for low-power, ultrathin induction cookers; CQC, VDE

Jimson Electronics (Xiamen) Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: MKP225K275VAC
Description: PP dielectric; 27mm pitch; tinned or flexible wire radial leads; high stability, dissipation factor, transient endurance, dielectric strength, withstand voltage; 31x25x14mm; for line bypass, antenna couplings, FMI filters, switching power supplies, across-the-line and spark killer applications

Shenzhen Shanrui Electronics Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: MPX105K310VAC
MOQ: 1,000 units
Description: PP dielectric; X2; 310VAC rated voltage; 2.5kV withstand impulse voltage; flame-retardant; -40 to 110 C operating temperature; for power supplies, electric tools, lighting, hair dryers, water heaters, household appliances; CQC, RoHS, UL, VDE

Shenzhen Topmay Electronic Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: TMCF18-105K275VP27.5B
MOQ: 10,000 units
Delivery: 12 days
Description: PP dielectric; X2; 1μF bulk capacitance at 275V; 10% K tolerance; 2.5kV withstand impulse voltage; low loss at high frequency, elevated insulation resistance; for high-current applications