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Thick film and thin film resistors are both widely used, but they target very different applications.
Manufacturing basics
- Thick film: a resistive paste is screen-printed and fired onto a ceramic substrate. Tolerances are typically 1-5%.
- Thin film: metal is sputtered or evaporated onto the substrate and trimmed with laser precision. Tolerances of 0.1% or better are common.
Choosing between them
| Parameter | Thick Film | Thin Film |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerance | 1-5% | 0.01-1% |
| TCR | 50-200 ppm/°C | 5-50 ppm/°C |
| Noise | Higher | Lower |
| Cost | Low | Moderate |
For precision circuits, instrumentation and reference dividers, thin film is the clear winner. For general-purpose pull-ups and LEDs, thick film remains the cost-effective default.
ANFULLY carries both families from 0201 to 2512, including high-power and anti-surge variants.
This article was written by fifi. Reproduction with attribution is welcome.
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