Typical applications of metal thin film resistors, and the reliability of metal thin film resistors

Metal thin film resistors have a thin metal layer on a non-conductive body as a resistive element. They are the most common type of axial resistors. Other thin film resistors are carbon film resistors and thick film resistors. Metal thin film resistors are mentioned in most resistor production common, this resistor is usually a cylindrical axial resistor. However, thin film chip resistors use the same fabrication principles for metal layers. The appearance of metal film resistors is similar to that of carbon film resistors, but their stability, accuracy and reliability are greatly improved.

There are many typical application cases of metal thin film resistors, because metal thin film resistors have good tolerance, stability and TCR characteristics. In addition, resistors have low noise characteristics and high linearity due to their low voltage coefficient. Therefore, in circuits where tight tolerance, low temperature coefficient and low noise characteristics are important, metal film resistors are often used. Our most common examples of metal film resistor applications are active filters or bridge circuits.

When metal film resistors are used in various electronic circuits, in order to ensure good reliability, metal film resistors usually work between 20% and 80% of their rated power. Reliability can generally be improved by derating by 50%. However, in very specific cases, below 20% of the rated power in wet conditions, reliability will degrade. These resistors are more susceptible to damage from voltage surges and power overloads than wirewound or carbon composition resistors.