They have a longer life expectancy than electrolytics and have different degradation qualities. A tantalum cap will work fine throughout its life expectancy without any problems or signs of lacking performance.
In lots of ways, their characteristics are superior to electrolytics: smaller size, low equivalent series resistance, high parallel resistance and good capacitance stability. However, they have some strange failure modes if they are misapplied and have a reputation for exploding! If I remember correctly, most newer tantalum has a fuse so that they don't explode.
-Mike
--- In yamahacs80@yahoogroups.com, "Quazimodo" <noddyspuncture@...> wrote:
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> This is exactly what I'd heard... which originally begged the question...!
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> --- In yamahacs80@yahoogroups.com, "Mike" <mborish_2000@> wrote:
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> > Just for your info, tantalum caps are way more reliable now than the ones from the 70's.
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