Patent ID: 7170389
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: H01C

Abstract:
1. A thin film chip resistor resistant to moisture without use of metallic tantalum and without use of a screen-printed moisture barrier comprising: a substrate; a single continuous metal thin film resistive layer directly attached to the substrate, the metal thin film layer being non-tantalum; a non-tantalum chip resistor termination attached on each end of the metal thin film resistive layer; an outer moisture barrier consisting of tantalum pentoxide directly overlaying and contacting the metal thin film resistive layer between the terminations and without covering the terminations for reducing failures due to electrolytic corrosion under powered moisture conditions; and the outer moisture barrier formed from deposition of tantalum pentoxide on the metal thin film resistive layer without covering the terminations and not through oxidation of tantalum.