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Let me Google that for you: "All electrolytic capacitors with non-solid electrolyte age over time, due to evaporation of the electrolyte. The capacitance usual

Let me Google that for you: "All electrolytic capacitors with non-solid electrolyte age over time, due to evaporation of the electrolyte. The capacitance usually decreases and the ESR usually increases. The normal lifespan of a non-solid electrolytic capacitor of consumer quality, typically rated at 2000 h/85 °C and operating at 40 °C, is roughly 6 years. It can be more than 10 years for a 1000 h/105 °C capacitor operating at 40 °C. Electrolytic capacitors that operate at a lower temperature can have a considerably longer lifespan." ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague ) "Electromigration decreases the reliability of integrated circuits (ICs). It can cause the eventual loss of connections or failure of a circuit. Since reliability is critically important ... the reliability of chips (ICs) is a major focus of research efforts. ... With increasing miniaturization, the probability of failure due to electromigration increases ... In modern consumer electronic devices, ICs rarely fail due to electromigration effects. ... Nevertheless, there have been documented cases of product failures due to electromigration." ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromigration https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromigration ) Before dismissively replying, maybe do your research.

Gordonjcp 4y ago
The electrolyte doesn't evaporate. The "capacitor plague" thing was because in the early 2000s every manufacturer started buying the same kind of cheapest electrolytics they could find that simply did not meet spec. If your electrolytic caps are failing after six years, you're running them at too high a voltage.
- camtarn 4y ago
  From an actual research paper, not just Wikipedia: "The variation of electrolytic capacitor electrical properties due to ageing can be attributed to two key degradation mechanisms: 1. The evaporation of electrolyte [3, 4, 5] 2. The electrolyte reacting with the insulation material within the electrolytic capacitor [6] A. Evaporation of electrolyte Over time the liquid electrolyte will evaporate, and therefore reduce the amount of available electrolyte within the capacitor." https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/104114/1/IECONv2a.pdf https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/104114/1/IECONv2a.pdf Yes, the capacitor plague was a particular incident not a general thing; yes, six years seems slightly ridiculous; yes, you can make them last significantly longer; but no, capacitors are not immortal - and you can't make them be immortal by just repeating "no that doesn't happen".

Gordonjcp 4y ago

The electrolyte doesn't evaporate. The "capacitor plague" thing was because in the early 2000s every manufacturer started buying the same kind of cheapest electrolytics they could find that simply did not meet spec. If your electrolytic caps are failing after six years, you're running them at too high a voltage.

camtarn 4y ago
From an actual research paper, not just Wikipedia: "The variation of electrolytic capacitor electrical properties due to ageing can be attributed to two key degradation mechanisms: 1. The evaporation of electrolyte [3, 4, 5] 2. The electrolyte reacting with the insulation material within the electrolytic capacitor [6] A. Evaporation of electrolyte Over time the liquid electrolyte will evaporate, and therefore reduce the amount of available electrolyte within the capacitor." https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/104114/1/IECONv2a.pdf https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/104114/1/IECONv2a.pdf Yes, the capacitor plague was a particular incident not a general thing; yes, six years seems slightly ridiculous; yes, you can make them last significantly longer; but no, capacitors are not immortal - and you can't make them be immortal by just repeating "no that doesn't happen".