WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THICK FILM AND THIN FILM RESISTORS?

Think Film and Thin Film resistor are distinguished by the resistive layer on the ceramic substare or base. Eventhough they look similiar by appreance their proporties and manufacturing process are very different.

The name orignated by the different layer thickness of the resistor followed.

Thin film has a thickness of 0.1 micrometer or smaller, while thick film is around thousands time thicker than thin film.

The main difference is method of applying resistive film onto the substrate. Thin film resistors have a metallic film that is vacuum deposited on an insulating substrate. Thick film resistors are produced by firing a special paste, which is a mixture of glass and metal oxides, onto the substrate. Thin film is more accurate, has a better temperature coefficient and is more stable.

On the other hand, thick film is preferred for applications where these high requirements are not critical since prices are much lower.