KEMET Capacitors — Tantalum, Ceramic & Film Capacitors

The History of KEMET Corporation

KEMET was founded in 1919 as a subsidiary of Sprague Electric Company, originally established to produce mica capacitors. The name "KEMET" was derived from the ancient Egyptian word for their land, reflecting the company's use of raw materials sourced from that region in its early years.

In 1990, KEMET became an independent publicly traded company and rapidly expanded its product portfolio beyond mica capacitors into tantalum, ceramic (MLCC), film, aluminum electrolytic, and polymer capacitors. The company grew into one of the world's largest capacitor manufacturers, with production facilities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

In 2020, Yageo Corporation acquired KEMET, bringing together two of the world's leading passive component manufacturers. KEMET also notably acquired Cornell Dubilier (CDE) — a storied name in aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors — further broadening its product range into high-power and industrial applications.

Popular KEMET Capacitor Series

How to Cross-Reference KEMET Part Numbers

KEMET uses a structured part numbering system. For example, a tantalum part number like T491B106K016AT breaks down as follows:

• T491 — Series identifier (standard solid tantalum)
• B — Case size code (EIA 3528)
• 106 — Capacitance code (10 uF)
• K — Capacitance tolerance (10%)
• 016 — Rated voltage (16V)
• AT — Packaging and termination style

When you need an alternative source or equivalent replacement, our engineering team matches critical parameters — capacitance, voltage rating, ESR, ripple current, case dimensions, and temperature range — to identify a compatible part. Use our cross-reference tool to start a search, or request a quote with your KEMET part number for a manual cross-reference by our team.

Industries Served by KEMET Capacitors

KEMET capacitors are found in virtually every sector that depends on reliable passive components:

• Automotive — AEC-Q200 qualified capacitors for engine control units, infotainment, ADAS, and EV power electronics. KEMET's automotive-grade ceramic and film capacitors meet strict reliability and temperature requirements.
• Aerospace & defense — MIL-SPEC tantalum and ceramic capacitors for avionics, satellite systems, radar, and guided munitions where failure is not an option.
• Industrial — Screw-terminal electrolytic capacitors (ALS30/ALS31) and film capacitors for motor drives, inverters, welding equipment, and power conditioning systems.
• Medical — High-reliability tantalum and ceramic capacitors for implantable devices, diagnostic imaging, and patient monitoring equipment.
• Telecommunications — Low-ESR polymer tantalum and MLCC capacitors for base stations, network infrastructure, and fiber optic systems.

Why Source KEMET Capacitors from Specap?

With over 40 years in the capacitor business, Specap provides reliable access to KEMET's full product range — even during allocation periods when standard distribution channels face extended lead times. When you need KEMET capacitors, we can:

• Supply from our existing KEMET inventory across all major product lines
• Source hard-to-find or allocated KEMET parts through our global network
• Cross-reference to compatible alternatives when KEMET stock is unavailable
• Provide obsolete and end-of-life KEMET parts for legacy system maintenance

Every capacitor we ship is electrically tested and inspected — no counterfeits, no relabeled parts.

Frequently Asked Questions