Abstract: A method of protecting surface mount capacitors from moisture and oxygen corrosion by applying a thermally curable pre-coat resin to a portion of the terminals of a capacitor and encapsulating the capacitor element(s) with a protective resin. The pre-coat resin is substantially rigid at ambient temperatures and flexible at elevated temperatures and is preferably a lactone-containing epoxy resin. The pre-coat resin may be applied to a solder coating-free portion of the terminals by brush or wiper prior to encapsulating the capacitor element(s) with the protective resin.

Abstract: A method of protecting surface mount capacitors from moisture and oxygen corrosion by applying a thermally curable pre-coat resin to a portion of the terminals of a capacitor and encapsulating the capacitor element(s) with a protective resin. The pre-coat resin is substantially rigid at ambient temperatures and flexible at elevated temperatures and is preferably a lactone-containing epoxy resin. The pre-coat resin may be applied to a solder coating-free portion of the terminals by brush or wiper prior to encapsulating the capacitor element(s) with the protective resin.

Abstract: An anodizing solution, and method of anodizing, comprising suspending at least one aluminium substrate in an anodizing solution and applying an anodizing current to the anodizing solution. The anodizing solution comprises 0.01-5%, by weight, sodium silicate and 0.01-5%, by weight, &agr;-amino acid.

Abstract: Non-aqueous electrolytic solutions suitable for anodizing valve metal derivative anodes, methods of anodizing using non-aqueous electrolytic solutions, and capacitors prepared with non-aqueous electrolytic solutions. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprises glycerine and at least one soluble salt formed by the neutralization of at least one non-halogen-containing organic or inorganic acid anion with at least one alkali metal, ammonium, or protonated amine cation; wherein the acid anion is derived from an acid having a pKa lower than phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Separator paper comprising paper impregnated with soluble silicate. The soluble silicate may be applied to the separator paper by immersing the paper into an aqueous solution of the soluble silicate or by spraying with an aqueous solution of the soluble silicate. In a preferred embodiment, the soluble silicate is sodium silicate. An electrolytic capacitor comprising an electrolytic solution, at least one anode foil, at least one cathode foil, and separator paper between the at least one anode foil and at least one cathode foil, wherein the separator paper comprises paper impregnated with a soluble silicate.

Abstract: Separator paper comprising paper impregnated with soluble silicate. The soluble silicate may be applied to the separator paper by immersing the paper into an aqueous solution of the soluble silicate or by spraying with an aqueous solution of the soluble silicate. In a preferred embodiment, the soluble silicate is sodium silicate. An electrolytic capacitor comprising an electrolytic solution, at least one anode foil, at least one cathode foil, and separator paper between the at least one anode foil and at least one cathode foil, wherein the separator paper comprises paper impregnated with a soluble silicate.

Abstract: An electrolyte comprising a polyester condensation product of 2-methyl-1,3-propane diol and boric acid; and further comprising dimethyl amino ethoxy ethanol in an amount to reduce the resistance of the electrolyte. The electrolyte may further comprise ortho-phosphoric acid and at least one substituted pyrrolidone or lactone, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxy ethyl-2-pyrrolidone or 4-butyrolactone. The ortho-phosphoric acid prevents hydration of anodic aluminum oxide in contact with the solution. The pyrrolidone or lactone reduce the resistance of the electrolyte. The electrolyte may also comprise sodium silicate.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for drying materials wet with one or more solvents, particularly hygroscopic materials and materials wet with a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) solvent that are sensitive to heat. Wet material is loaded into a chamber, which is then sealed and caused to oscillate back and forth. Vacuum is enlisted to provide rapid evaporation of solvent at a lower temperature than possible at standard atmospheric pressure. The material is oscillated until a sudden decrease in the residual pressure of the chamber, which indicates completion of the drying cycle. Because vacuum is applied to an oscillating chamber, a rotary vacuum seal is not required to accomplish drying in accordance with the practice of the instant invention.

Abstract: An electrolyte comprising a polyester condensation product of 2-methyl-1,3-propane diol and boric acid; and further comprising dimethyl amino ethoxy ethanol in an amount to reduce the resistance of the electrolyte. The electrolyte may further comprise ortho-phosphoric acid and at least one substituted pyrrolidone or lactone, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-hydroxy ethyl-2-pyrrolidone or 4-butyrolactone. The ortho-phosphoric acid prevents hydration of anodic aluminum oxide in contact with the solution. The pyrrolidone or lactone reduce the resistance of the electrolyte. The electrolyte may also comprise sodium silicate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the continuous anodizing of aluminum foil for use in aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Specifically, etched anode foil is anodized to relatively low voltage in a two-step reel-to-reel process. The process is particularly useful for anodizing highly-etched aluminum foil for use in surface mount aluminum capacitors containing conductive polymer cathode material. The process is economical and provides high foil quality. Specifically, the process for anodizing aluminum foil comprises anodizing the foil in a first electrolyte a solution, passing the foil through an oven, anodizing the foil in a second anodizing solution wherein the first electrolyte solution and second electrolyte solution each comprise about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % glycerine, about 0.01 wt % to about 0.2 wt % ammonium phosphate, and de-ionized water, and wherein the foil is anodized in the first electrolyte solution for at least 3.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for drying materials wet with one or more solvents, particularly hygroscopic materials and materials wet with a high boiling point (low vapor pressure) solvent that are sensitive to heat. Wet material is loaded into a chamber, which is then sealed and caused to oscillate back and forth. Vacuum is enlisted to provide rapid evaporation of solvent at a lower temperature than possible at standard atmospheric pressure. The material is oscillated until a sudden decrease in the residual pressure of the chamber, which indicates completion of the drying cycle. Because vacuum is applied to an oscillating chamber, a rotary vacuum seal is not required to accomplish drying in accordance with the practice of the instant invention.

Abstract: Non-aqueous electrolytic solutions suitable for anodizing valve metal derivative anodes, methods of anodizing using non-aqueous electrolytic solutions, and capacitors prepared with non-aqueous electrolytic solutions. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprises glycerine and at least one soluble salt formed by the neutralization of at least one non-halogen-containing organic or inorganic acid anion with at least one alkali metal, ammonium, or protonated amine cation; wherein the acid anion is derived from an acid having a pKa lower than phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Aluminum surface mount capacitors containing one or more anode foil coupons are initially anodized in an aqueous phosphate solution in order to produce an anodic oxide film having extreme resistance to hydration and attack by corrosive anions for the purpose of producing surface mount capacitors at high yield and of high stability.

Abstract: A method of thermally removing binder from porous compacts pressed from metallic or ceramic materials using atmospheric pressure and binder-free compacts produced therefrom.

Abstract: Electrolytes containing water, phosphoric acid, at least one organic solvent, and at least one alkanolamine can be used for anodizing valve metals prepared from metal powder having a surface area of least 0.35 m2/g or 35,000 CV/g. The anodizing electrolytes have relatively high conductivity and are capable of being used at high anodizing currents. The anodic film produced by these electrolytes on valve metals is of substantially uniform thickness and has improved electrical parameters.

Abstract: A method of anodizing an aluminum substrate comprising heating the substrate to a first temperature of 200° C. to about 380° C.; suspending the substrate into a first electrolyte and applying a first anodizing current to the first electrolyte; rinsing the substrate; heating the substrate to a second temperature of 200° C. to about 380° C.; and suspending the substrate into a second electrolyte and applying a second anodizing current to the second electrolyte, wherein the first electrolyte and second electrolyte each comprise an aqueous solution of at least one salt of alpha-hydroxy acid.

Abstract: Aluminum surface mount capacitors containing one or more anode foil coupons are initially anodized in an aqueous phosphate solution in order to produce an anodic oxide film having extreme resistance to hydration and attack by corrosive anions for the purpose of producing surface mount capacitors at high yield and of high stability.

Abstract: A method of anodizing an aluminum substrate comprising heating the substrate to a first temperature of 200° C. to about 380° C.; suspending the substrate into a first electrolyte and applying a first anodizing current to the first electrolyte; rinsing the substrate; heating the substrate to a second temperature of 200° C. to about 380° C.; and suspending the substrate into a second electrolyte and applying a second anodizing current to the second electrolyte, wherein the first electrolyte and second electrolyte each comprise an aqueous solution of at least one salt of alpha-hydroxy acid.

Abstract: Non-aqueous electrolytic solutions suitable for anodizing valve metal derivative anodes, methods of anodizing using non-aqueous electrolytic solutions, and capacitors prepared with non-aqueous electrolytic solutions. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprises glycerine and at least one soluble salt formed by the neutralization of at least one non-halogen-containing organic or inorganic acid anion with at least one alkali metal, ammonium, or protonated amine cation; wherein the acid anion is derived from an acid having a pKa lower than phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Metal powders are pressed into compacts more readily through the addition of a minor percentage of dimethyl sulfone binder. Dimethyl sulfone may be dry-blended with the metal powder by mixing it in the form of a powder, or it may be wet-blended by first dissolving it in a suitable solvent, then adding it to the metal powder and evaporating the solvent. Dimethyl sulfone may be almost completely removed from compacts pressed from tantalum, etc., either by vacuum distillation or by water leaching, to leave compacts uncontaminated by the binder and suitable for further processing into capacitor anodes, etc.