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Carbon film resistors : Construction, Characteristics and Applications

What is carbon film resistor?

 

Carbon film resistors, also known as carbon film fixed resistors, are a resistive device widely used in electronic circuits. It is made by coating a carbon film on the surface of the resistor body, hence the name. Carbon film resistors have many advantages, such as high precision, low temperature coefficient, and good stability, and are widely used in various electronic devices.

The manufacture of carbon film resistors is achieved by coating a layer of carbon film on the surface of the resistor body. Such thin films are usually produced by techniques such as physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition. This film can be customized into different shapes and sizes to meet different circuit needs.

 

Construction of carbon film resistor

Construction of carbon film resistor

 

Carbon Film Resistor Advantages and Disadvantages

 

Carbon film resistors have many advantages. First of all, its precision is very high. Since the carbon film is evenly distributed on the surface of the resistor body, very precise resistance values can be achieved. Second, it has a very low temperature coefficient, so the resistance value hardly changes at different temperatures. In addition, the stability of carbon film resistors is also very good, and can maintain a consistent resistance value over a long period of use.

Carbon film resistors also have some other advantages. For example, its cost is relatively low, and its manufacturing process is relatively simple. In addition, carbon film resistors are very small and can be easily integrated into various electronic devices.

However, carbon film resistors also have some disadvantages. For example, its relatively low power handling capability makes it unsuitable for circuits that require high power. In addition, the resistance value of carbon film resistors is greatly affected by voltage, which requires special attention.

 

 

Application of Carbon Film Resistor

 

Carbon film resistors have become one of the most widely used resistor types due to their excellent performance and affordable price. They are mainly used to control current and voltage, and protect circuits from overcurrent or overvoltage damage. Following are some major applications of carbon film resistors:

  • Analog circuits: Carbon film resistors can be used in various analog circuits, including filters, voltage regulators, and oscillators. In analog circuits, accuracy and stability are very important, and the accuracy and stability of carbon film resistors can meet these requirements.
  • Digital circuits: Carbon film resistors can also be used in digital circuits, such as counters, multiplexers and data storage. Digital circuits require precise and stable resistance values, and carbon film resistors have excellent performance in this regard.
  • Communication: Carbon film resistors can be used in various communication devices, such as radios, televisions and mobile phones. These devices require precise and stable resistor values to ensure clear transmission of signals.
  • Instruments and equipment: carbon film resistors can also be used in various instruments and equipment, such as measuring instruments, medical equipment and industrial automation equipment. These devices require stable, precise and reliable resistance values to ensure accurate measurement and control.

 


Manufacturing of Carbon Film Resistor

 

Carbon film resistors are a common electronic component with a relatively simple manufacturing process. The following are the manufacturing steps of carbon film resistors:

  1. Substrate preparation: first prepare the substrate for the resistor, usually made of ceramics, quartz, glass and other materials.
  2. Spraying carbon film: coating the carbon film on the substrate, this step can be achieved by chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition or sputtering. Among them, the chemical vapor deposition method is the most commonly used method, which can form a uniform carbon film on the surface of the substrate.
  3. Chip manufacturing process: The substrate coated with carbon film is subjected to chip manufacturing processes such as photolithography and corrosion to make a resistor chip with resistance function.
  4. Electrode preparation: Metal materials are deposited on the surface of the chip to form two electrodes for connection to the circuit.
  5. Measurement and classification: Measure the resistors and classify them according to the resistance value, so as to select the appropriate resistors for the circuit.

 

 

Metal film vs carbon film resistors

 

Both metal film resistors and carbon film resistors are commonly used resistor devices. Their main difference lies in their different materials and processes, so they have different performance characteristics and applicable scenarios. Metal film resistors have better performance and higher prices, and are suitable for high-demand circuits; carbon film resistors have poor performance and lower prices, and are suitable for some low-demand circuits.

  • Different materials: the resistance material of metal film resistors is metal, usually nickel-chromium alloy, etc., while the resistance material of carbon film resistors is carbon.
  • The manufacturing process is different: metal film resistors are formed by spraying metal materials on the surface of the substrate and processed to form a layer of thin film resistors; while carbon film resistors are made by vapor deposition of carbon materials on the surface of the substrate.
  • Different electrical properties: metal film resistors have stable electrical properties, small temperature coefficients, high resistance accuracy, high temperature resistance, and are suitable for high-frequency, high-precision circuits; while carbon film resistors have relatively poor electrical properties and large temperature coefficients , the resistance precision is low, but the price is cheap, suitable for some low-frequency, low-precision circuits.
  • The appearance is different: the surface of metal film resistors is generally metallic luster, usually silver or gold; while the surface of carbon film resistors is black, showing a certain frosted effect.

 

 

Summarize


Carbon film resistors are widely used in electronic circuits, and have the advantages of high precision, low temperature coefficient, and good stability. However, it needs to be selected and used under different circuit requirements. The manufacturing process of carbon film resistors is relatively simple, but the precision and quality control of the manufacturing process has an important impact on the performance and reliability of the resistor.

 

 

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