| Dielectric Type | DA | Advantages | Disadvantages | Uses |
NPO Ceramic
(COG) | <0.1% | Tight tolerance
High Q factor, low K
Small case size
Inexpensive
Good stability
Wide range of values
Low inductance | DA generally low, but may not be specified
Limited to small values (10 nF) | Low loss, timing and tuning applications |
Monolithic Ceramic
(High K) | >0.2% | Low inductance
Wide range of values | Poor stability
Poor DA
High voltage coefficient | |
X7R (BX)
(Barium Titanate) | | Inexpensive
Low DA available
Wide range of values
Smaller case size | Damaged by temperature
>+85° C
Loose tolerances
High inductance | Bypassing, coupling, and frequency discrimination circuits |
| Z5U & Y5V | | Smallest case size
Very large values | Damaged by voltages
>25 WVDC
Very loose tolerances | Bypassing and coupling |
| Polystyrene | 0.001%
to 0.02% | Inexpensive
Low DA available
Wide range of values
Good stability | Damaged by temperature
>+85° C
Large case size
High inductance | Timers and filters |
| Polypropylene | 0.001%
to 0.02% | Inexpensive
Low DA available
High dielectric strength
Wide range of values
Negative TC | Damaged by temperature
>+105° C
Large case size
High inductance | Stable oscillators and filters, sample and hold circuits and pulse handling circuits |
| Teflon | 0.003%
to 0.02% | Low DA available
Excellent stability
Operational >+125° C
Wide range of values | Relatively expensive
Large size
High inductance | Timing and pulse shaping circuits |
| MOS | 0.01% | Good DA
Small
Operational above +125° C
Low inductance | Limited availability
Available only in small capacitance values | |
| Polycarbonate | 0.1% | Good long-term stability
Low cost
Wide temperature range | Large size
DA limits to 8-bit applications
High inductance | Timers, filters and applications in high ambient temperature |
| Polyester | 0.3%
to 0.5% | Moderate stability
Low cost
Wide temperature range
Low inductance (stacked film)
Self-healing | Large size
DA limits to 8-bit applications
High inductance | Bypassing and coupling |
| Mica | >0.003% | Low loss at HF
Low inductance
Very stable
Available in 1% values or better | Quite large
Low values (<10 nF)
Expensive | |
| Aluminum Electrolytic | High | Large values
High currents
High voltages
Small size | High leakage
Usually polarized
Poor stability
Poor accuracy
Inductive | |
| Tantalum Electrolytic | High | Small size
Large values
Medium inductance
High melting point
High dielectric strength
Good ductility | Quite high leakage
Usually polarized
Expensive
Expensive
Poor stability
Poor accuracy | |
