NOTE:  The specifications MIL-PRF-87217 and MIL-PRF-87217/1 for metallized polycarbonate film capacitors were CANCELED without replacement in October 2005 because the only QPL source (Component Research Corporation - CRC) closed in 2004.  Efforts by DSCC to find an alternate source were unsuccessful.  

Projects requiring the specific attributes of metallized polycarbonate capacitors may consider metallized polycarbonate capacitors manufactured in accordance with MIL-PRF-83421/1. However, parts procured to MIL-PRF-83421 will not receive the same level of screening required by MIL-PRF-87217 which among other things includes "ramp scan" and low voltage burn-in tests intended to screen for parts susceptible to low energy breakdown phenomenon.  "Ramp scan" testing services may no longer be commercially available since the only known source for this testing was CRC.  Furthermore, due to the uncertain future availability of raw materials used in the manufacture of metallized polycarbonate film capacitors, new designs should consider alternative capacitor types and qualify them for the intended application.  

 1) To ensure proper "self healing" characteristics of these capacitors, it is recommended that the circuit in which capacitors of 0.1 uF and greater capacitance are intended for use should be capable of providing at 100 microjoules of energy. This recommendation is based on the "self healing" properties of plastic film capacitors and the need for sufficient energy to be available to promote self healing. Without adequate energy available, self healing will not occur and parts may catastrophically fail short circuit.

2) Parts covered by this specification contain internal soldered connections which may reflow during installation.. The plastic dielectric in these parts is also temperature sensitive. Special precautions such as heat sinking are recommended when soldering onto boards.