SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, will highlight at PCIM Europe 2024 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.

"We are proud to be the first to develop a film capacitor that can withstand very high temperatures and voltages,” said Takashi Mori, general manager, XEV Global Design Center, Nichicon. “Our new capacitors made with SABIC’s dielectric film can help the industry realize the full benefits of silicon carbide and gallium nitride MOSFETs when used in AC-DC inverters for electric vehicles. We are pleased to collaborate with SABIC to combine our engineering leadership with SABIC’s renowned materials innovation.”

“We engineered ELCRES HTV150A films to help customers move to the latest generation of capacitor technology, and we congratulate Nichicon on taking the lead in this endeavor,” said Scott Fisher, General Manager, Technology, SABIC Polymers, Specialties BU. “Nichicon’s new film capacitors offer the potential to improve electric vehicle range, charging speed and performance, and to allow compact, lighter-weight module designs by reducing the need for active cooling. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Nichicon to benefit the power electronics industry.”

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.