SABIC: FIRST COMMERCIAL APPLICATION OF ELCRES™ HTV150A FILM IN NICHICON CAPACITORS FOR AC-DC INVERTERS

SABIC will highlight at PCIM Europe 2024 (in Hall 7, Booth 140) the first commercial application of its high-heat ELCRES™ HTV150A dielectric film. Japan’s Nichicon Corporation used this ultra-thin specialty film to develop high-temperature, high-voltage, commercial-quality capacitors for AC-DC traction inverter modules in electric vehicles. This technological breakthrough addresses industry demand for advanced film capacitors which can enable more-efficient AC-DC power modules.

In contrast to traditional film solutions, single capacitors made with ELCRES™ HTV150A dielectric films can operate at high temperatures (up to 150°C) and high voltages (up to 1,000 volts) with stable performance. Working with SABIC, Nichicon implemented and successfully tested the film in its capacitor designs to offer candidate components to AC-DC inverter module manufacturers. A prototype capacitor will be shown at the SABIC booth. In addition, SABIC will give three presentations related to the dielectric film.

The development project for Nichicon’s film capacitors involved the segmented metallization of the ELCRES HTV150A film to help achieve 900-1000V. The film’s stable, inherent dielectric properties enable the capacitors to operate at 150°C. This work included 2,000 hours of reliability life testing at 150°C, and 3,600 hours at 130°C.




ELCRES HTV150A dielectric films are the first in the industry to provide stable performance at operating temperatures of -40°C to 150°C and frequencies up to 100 kHz, while offering stable capacitance, high insulation resistance and good dielectric performance. The films address the critical performance gap experienced by traditional film solutions above 105°C. Capacitors built with 3 µm and 5 µm metalized ELCRES HTV150A films pass standard electrical and life tests at 150°C for 2,000 hours, and damp heat aging at 85°C and 85 percent relative humidity for 1,000 hours, with low capacitance change and stable insulation resistance. Other key film properties include high voltage breakdown strength over the full temperature range, good self-healing, and excellent adhesion to aluminum and zinc during metallization.