Ceramic Capacitors—A Complete Substitute for Paper and Mica Capacitors

Abstract

The basic electrical characteristics of paper, mica and ceramic capacitors are compared. The interesting characteristics of the new high permittivity ceramics are discussed in detail with appropriate curves and tables. Apart from the reduction in size which is obvious due to the much higher permittivities shown by these ceramics, the large temperature coefficient exhibited by some of the ceramic bodies can be utilized for certain special applications. Experimental results of the performance of receivers under different temperature conditions in which paper capacitors have been substituted completely by the ceramics are presented. Conclusions are that ceramics can completely substitute paper capacitors with advantage. It has been sought to show that ceramics can be actually custom-built or made to the desired specifications of the circuit designer.

This conclusion is particularly significant as the chances of obtaining the raw materials for the manufacture of paper capacitors indigenously are very remote, if at all, and if we are to be self-sufficient in the electronics industry, such substitute materials are of vital importance.