Tantalum Availability---2000 and Beyond

摘要

This paper came into being because tantalum capacitors were given a "bad name" during 1999 and 2000. The "bad name" came because many end-users were unable to get all of the tantalum capacitors they wanted. Some end-users felt they were victims of exploitive pricing by the supply chain. Unfortunately, long after the problems of availability and pricing are gone there are still companies that believe tantalum is in short supply and is being allocated. Some believe it will again become a significant supply problem for them. This paper will explain the actions taken by the tantalum supply chain to insure that the problems with tantalum availability are a thing of the past! The future for the tantalum supply chain is very bright. Tantalum Availability--Markets for Tantalum To discuss the tantalum supply chain and its response to the rapid growth of the electronic business in 1999 and 2000, we must first look at why tantalum is important to electronics and other end markets. We will explain the segments of the supply chain, from the OEM's to the miners. We will show that the supply chain is more than tantalum capacitors. Tantalum capacitors are pervasive because they add functions to circuits that other dielectrics cannot. Tantalum capacitors are used in laptop computers and cell phones because they have very high volumetric efficiency and are very reliable. Tantalum capacitors, also, make laptops and cell phones lighter in weight and make the batteries last longer. Tantalum capacitors have a stable oxide film at temperatures from -55°C to +125°C. This makes them ideal for automotive applications where "under-hood" temperatures can cause other capacitors to fail.