Self-healing thin-layer electrical capacitor

Abstract

To decrease the thickness of plastic foil capacitors using, for example, polycarbonate or polypropylene foils, and permit full utilization of the dielectric strength of the dielectric material without degradation of the electrode layer applied thereto, the electrode layer, typically of aluminum or zinc, has an additive of at least one of the metals Al, Ni, Mg, Ti, Hf, Be, Bi therein, present for example as an intermetallic compound, in a quantity of from 0.5 to 10%, preferably 2 to 5% (by weight). The electrode can be applied as a vapor-deposited coating, in which the additive is uniformly distributed. The previously observed decomposition of the electrode coating under applied voltages is thereby effectively prevented. Thus, the full dielectric strength of the dielectric material is utilized, resulting in a smaller and less expensive capacitor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.