Originally Posted by
bigburtchino
Red - I always use a magnet as one method of identifying tantalum capacitors. Almost all tantalum capacitors seem to have some magnetic properties, Tantalum is not a magnetic metal (does not generate a magnetic field), it is a paramagnetic metal, it will react to magnetic fields. Most tantalum capacitors (95%+) that I have encountered have a strong magnetic pull. I suspect most of the "magnetic pull" has to with the manufacturing process and the other materials used to make tantalum capacitors. Many TC's have a pure nickel wire welded to a tantalum wire on the anode portion of the capacitor. The cathode connection can also be a nickel, or kovar wire both of these type of leads and the glass‑to‑metal seal are highly magnetic. Quoting a NASA document that specifies the material requirements for building spacecrafts, "Non‑magnetic tantalum capacitors are difficult to find". So I use a scrappers best tool, a magnet to help quickly ID tantalum capacitors. They do make non-magnetic TC's, so I'm not saying all TC's are magnetic, just most of them are!
Red - Can you check the three lead TC's with a magnet, confirming as I'm sure they will also be magnetic. Now for "$hits & giggles" check the ceramic capacitors on your circuit board, are they magnetic?
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