Electrolytic capacitor is a polarized capacitor. This type of capacitor consists of pasty, semiliquid electrolyte between aluminum foil electrodes or plates.
An electrolytic capacitor is a type of capacitor typically with a large capacitance per unit volume than other types than other types, making them useful in high current and low frequency electrical circuits.
Electrolytic capacitors have highest capacitance voltage (CV) product in a given case size as well as the largest capacitance value. The large capacitance values are attainable because of the use of a very thin dielectric film formed by oxidizing a metal usually aluminum tantalum.
There are two types of electrolytic capacitors:
1. Aluminum electrolytic capacitor.
2. Tantalum electrolytic capacitor.
A plain foil dry electrolytic capacitor is made by forming a coating of aluminium oxide on both sides of an aluminium foil.
Two stripes of aluminium foil used are then separated by two layers of porous paper soaked with electrolyte. This assembly is rolled up, the ends closed with wax and then sealed into an aluminium container as shown in fig.