Electrode lead wires

The advancing electrolytic capacitor industry has, at its premium level, increasing capacitances per units of volume and weight of the sintered powder porous compacts anodes (usually refractory metal powders, preferrably tantalum powder) that constitute the anode of the capacitor. This performance enhancement is characterized by fine powder sizes, miniaturization of the compact as a whole and selected additives to the tantalum powders to enhance capacitor performance and/or the manufacturing process regarding one or more of capacitance, sinterability and resistance to electrical leakage and voltage breakdown. Known additives for one or more of such purposes include phosphorous, silicon, nitrogen and other elements. Electrolytic capacitor lead wires doped with one or more interstitial elements at the surface to enhance (lower) leakage of capacitors using such lead wires.