In the global high-voltage electronic component market, the Swiss/German brand METALLUX AG has long defined industry standards with its precision and stability. However, with HVC Company's continuous breakthroughs in high-voltage thick film technology, its HVR Series (covering HVRGXP flat type and HVR-Tube cylindrical type) has demonstrated strong competitiveness in voltage rating, pulse withstand capability, and supply chain responsiveness.

This whitepaper conducts an in-depth analysis of HVC and METALLUX high-voltage resistor products from four dimensions: core technical specifications, reliability data, process characteristics, and supply chain value. The data shows that the HVC HVR Series not only holds an absolute advantage in ultra-high-voltage applications above 50 kV, but also provides a "specialist-grade" alternative that is pin-to-pin compatible and delivers a 20% improvement in cost-effectiveness for conventional applications.

1. Brand Background: Traditional Giant vs. Agile Expert

1.1 METALLUX: The Guardian of European Precision

As a long-established European resistor manufacturer, METALLUX's product line — especially the HVR 967/968/969 Series — is renowned for precise low temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and long-term stability. Its unique laser trimming process and curved electrode design have secured an important position in precision medical instruments and metrology-grade voltage dividers. However, its long lead times (20 weeks+) and high prices have become bottlenecks that limit customers' ability to iterate quickly.

1.2 HVC: The Game Changer in High Voltage

HVC has deep expertise in the high-voltage field, not only manufacturing 100 kV capacitors but also transferring this insulation technology into resistor manufacturing. The HVR Series was designed from the outset to solve two major pain points: "high-voltage failure" and "supply disruption." By introducing 96% high-purity alumina substrates and multi-layer printing technology, HVC has successfully created products with higher voltage ratings (up to 50 kV+), stronger pulse resistance, and more agile delivery — making them the preferred choice in industrial control, high-energy physics, and power monitoring applications.

2. Core Technical Specification Comparison

Based on laboratory test data and datasheet parameters, the following is a rigorous, multi-dimensional comparison of the two product families.

2.1 Voltage Performance: HVC's Dominance

In high-voltage applications, dielectric breakdown is the most critical failure mode.

• HVC HVR Series:
  • Rated Voltage: Up to 50 kV (e.g., HVR-50 cylindrical type).
  • Pulse Withstand Voltage: Up to 75 kV under extreme test conditions.
  • Technical Principle: Employs a proprietary Stepped Electrode design that effectively distributes the electric field at the end-electrode edges, preventing corona discharge.
• METALLUX:
  • Rated Voltage: Typically up to 30 kV – 40 kV (e.g., HVR 969 / MEGATRON Series).
  • Technical Principle: Uses a curved electrode structure that provides good voltage uniformity but is slightly inferior to HVC in ultimate withstand voltage.

Conclusion: In ultra-high-voltage scenarios >40 kV (e.g., particle accelerators, electrostatic precipitators), HVC has an absolute physical advantage.

2.2 Temperature Coefficient (TCR): The Battle for Precision

• METALLUX:
  • Standard TCR: ±100 ppm/°C to ±200 ppm/°C.
  • High-Precision Version: Down to ±25 ppm/°C to ±50 ppm/°C.
  • Advantage: METALLUX's low-TCR characteristics excel in metrology equipment requiring 0.5% accuracy.
• HVC HVR Series:
  • Standard TCR: ±100 ppm/°C to ±250 ppm/°C.
  • Optimized Version: Through proprietary paste formulations, HVC can also supply low-TCR versions down to ±50 ppm/°C.

Conclusion: METALLUX has a slight edge in the extreme high-precision segment (<0.1%), but HVC's ±50 ppm/°C option fully meets the needs of 95% of industrial and medical imaging applications.

2.3 Power and Derating: Differences in Design Philosophy

Parameter	HVC HVR-30 Series	METALLUX M30 / 969 Series
Rated Power	3 W @ 25°C	2.5 W @ 25°C
Derating Curve	Linear Derating	Stepped Derating
Power Density	Higher (owing to 96% alumina substrate)	Standard

Note: HVC's linear derating curve is more intuitive for engineers' calculations. The higher rated power also means lower thermal rise and longer service life under equivalent loads.

2.4 Pulse and Reliability Data: Battlefield-Tested

• Pulse Durability:
  • Test Conditions: 10 kV / 1 µs pulse stress.
  • HVC: Withstands >10,000 pulses without failure — owing to HVC's serpentine non-inductive design and reinforced thick-film layers.
  • METALLUX: Typical rating of 8,000 pulses.
• Humidity Stability:
  • Test Conditions: 85°C / 85% RH, 1,000 hours.
  • METALLUX: Resistance change ΔR < 1.2%.
  • HVC: Resistance change ΔR < 1.5%.

Conclusion: HVC is more durable in anti-pulse / anti-surge scenarios (e.g., switching power supplies, protection circuits); METALLUX shows marginally better stability in constant-temperature, constant-humidity precision measurement environments. Both products far exceed IEC 60115 requirements.

3. Process Characteristics and Product Form Factors

3.1 HVC: Multi-Layer Printing and Wide Resistance Range

• Process Core: Employs multi-layer thick-film printing technology, bonding the resistive, protective, and electrode layers through high-temperature co-firing.
• Resistance Range: Continuous coverage from 10 kΩ to 10 GΩ. HVC specialises in ultra-high resistance values (e.g., 100 GΩ) for micro-current detection applications.
• Package Types:
  • HVRGXP (Flat): Direct drop-in replacement for METALLUX HVR 967.
  • HVR-Tube (Cylindrical): Direct drop-in replacement for METALLUX HVR 968/969.

3.2 METALLUX: Laser Trimming and High Precision

• Process Core: Highly automated Laser Helical Trimming.
• Advantage: This process achieves extremely high resistance accuracy (±0.1% to ±0.5%), making METALLUX products well suited for use as reference resistors.

4. Overall Assessment and Selection Guide

4.1 Overall Positioning

• HVC HVR Series: King of High-Voltage Endurance. For X-ray machines, power monitoring, and other ultra-high-voltage, high-pulse-stress applications, HVC is the preferred choice. Its 20% cost advantage and 4–6 week express lead time also make it the ideal Plan B for industrial mass-production projects.
• METALLUX: Benchmark for Precision Measurement. In laboratory-grade precision measurement equipment requiring long-term stable operation, METALLUX's temperature characteristics still hold an edge.

4.2 When to Prefer HVC?

• Operating Voltage > 40 kV: Choose HVC HVR-50 or HVR-Tube Series directly for safer physical voltage headroom.
• Pulse Load Environment: Such as VFD braking or capacitor discharge — HVC offers superior pulse withstand capability.
• Non-Standard Resistance Customisation: For special values such as 123 MΩ, HVC has no MOQ threshold.
• Budget and Lead-Time Sensitive: Project requires cost reduction, or cannot tolerate lead times exceeding 20 weeks.

4.3 When to Prefer METALLUX?

• TCR Requirement < 50 ppm/°C: With adequate budget.
• Strict IEC 61010 Certification Required: For specific European market-entry projects.
• Ultra-High-Precision Signal Acquisition: Such as the front-end voltage divider of a 6½-digit digital multimeter.

4.4 Model Substitution Reference Table

Application Scenario	Voltage Rating	Recommended HVC Model	Corresponding METALLUX Model
Portable HV Probe	5 kV	HVRGXP 5.10	HVR 967.10
HV Power Supply Feedback	15 kV	HVRGXP 7.26	HVR 967.26
Precision Voltage Divider	30 kV	HVC-A (Precision)	HVR 968 / MEGATRON
Ultra-High Voltage / Pulse	50 kV+	HVR-50 / Tube	(No direct equivalent; custom order required)

5. METALLUX Complete Model Quick Reference

METALLUX HVR / HPR / HVI Series — complete model listing (64 models):

HVR Series — Standard High-Voltage Resistors (36 models)
HVR967.3.25	HVR967.3.38	HVR967.5.13	HVR967.7.51
HVR967.8.26	HVR967.13.38	HVR967.15.30	HVR967.15.51
HVR967.15.76	HVR967.25.90	HVR967	HVR967.1
HVR967.28.38	HVR968.2	HVR968.3	HVR968.4
HVR968.5	HVR968.7	HVR968.10	HVR968.12
HVR968.15	HVR968	HVR969.11	HVR969.23
HVR969.54	HVR969.71	HVR969.105	HVR969
HVR22.5	HVR40050.0

HPR Series — High-Precision High-Voltage Resistors (18 models)
HPR967	HPR967.3.25	HPR967.3.38
HPR967.5.13	HPR967.8.26	HPR967.13.38
HPR967.15.30	HPR967.15.51	HPR967.25.90
HPR968	HPR968.2	HPR968.3
HPR968.5	HPR968.7	HPR968.10
HPR968.12	HPR968.15	HPR969

HVI Series — Pulse High-Voltage Resistors (10 models)
HVI967	HVI968	HVI968.2
HVI968.3	HVI968.5	HVI968.7
HVI968.10	HVI968.12	HVI968.15
HVI969

6. HVC Part Number Coding Rules

HVR-[Series]-[Size]-[Resistance]-[Tolerance]-[TCR]-[Voltage]

Code	Meaning	Example
HVR	High-voltage resistor prefix	HVR-GXP4.25
GXP/GFP	Flat-type series	GXP = Standard, GFP = Economy
BSP/PFS	Tubular series	BSP = Standard tube, PFS = High power
Size	Length code	4.25, 7.52, BSP27
Resistance	100K = 100 kΩ, 1M = 1 MΩ	100K, 1M, 10M
Tolerance	F = ±1%, J = ±5%	F
TCR	25 = ±25 ppm/°C, 100 = ±100 ppm/°C	25
Voltage	12 kV, 30 kV, 45 kV	30kV

Ordering Example: Replace HVR967.3.25 → HVR-GXP4.25-10M-F-25-12kV

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Direct Procurement Cross-Reference Table

Full online version: METALLUX HVR Series Replacement Guide

1. High-Voltage Thick-Film Flat Resistors (HVR 967 Flat Type) → HVC HVRGXP / HVRGFP Series

Dimension notes: A(L) = length, B = width, C = lead pitch, Thickness = body thickness, d = lead diameter

METALLUX Model	Power (W)	Voltage (kV)	A(L) (mm)	B (mm)	C (mm)	Thickness (mm)	d (mm)	HVC Replacement Model
HVR967.3.25	1	12	25.4	3.8	22.9	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP4.25
HVR967.3.38	1.5	15	38	3.8	35.7	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP4.38
HVR967.5.13	1	7.5	12.7	5	10.2	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP5.13
HVR967.7.51	2	30	51.9	7	48	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP7.52
HVR967.8.26	2	15	25.4	8	22.5	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP8.25
HVR967.13.38	3	30	38.5	13	36	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP13.39
HVR967.15.30	3	30	30	15	22.1	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP15.30
HVR967.15.51	4.5	45	50.8	15	48.3	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP15.51
HVR967.15.76	5.5	52	76.2	15.5	73.2	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP16.76
HVR967.25.90	10	67	88.9	25.4	85.6	2.5	0.8	HVRGXP25.89

2. High-Voltage Thick-Film Tubular Resistors (HVR 968) → HVC HVR-BSP Series

Dimension notes: A = body length, B = body outer diameter, d = lead diameter

METALLUX Model	Power (W)	Voltage (kV)	A (mm)	B (mm)	d (mm)	HVC Replacement Model
HVR968.2	3.8	13.5	27	8	0.8	HVRBSP27
HVR968.3	5	18	37	8	0.8	HVRBSP37
HVR968.4	6	21	47	8	0.8	HVRBSP47
HVR968.5	7.5	27	52	8	0.8	HVRBSP52
HVR968.7	10	36	78	8	0.8	HVRBSP78
HVR968.10	12	54	102	8	0.8	HVRBSP102
HVR968.12	15	63	123	8	0.8	HVRBSP123
HVR968.15	17	81	153	8	0.8	HVRBSP153

3. High-Voltage High-Power Tubular Resistors (HVR 969) → HVC HVR-PFS Series

Dimension notes: L = body length, B = flange spacing, ø = body outer diameter, D = mounting hole diameter, G = thread specification

METALLUX Model	Power (W)	Voltage (kV)	L (mm)	B (mm)	ø (mm)	D (mm)	G	HVC Replacement Model
HVR969.11	11	32	81	14.5	13	10	M4	HVRPFS81
HVR969.23	23	72	156	14.5	13	10	M4	HVRPFS156
HVR969.54	54	72	160	31.1	30.5	18	M8	HVRPFS160
HVR969.71	71	96	209	31.1	30.5	18	M8	HVRPFS209
HVR969.105	105	148	309	31.1	30.5	18	M8	HVRPFS309

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7. Contact and Technical Support

If you are searching for a replacement for discontinued METALLUX series, or have any enquiries regarding high-voltage resistor selection or customisation, HVC's replacement engineering team is ready to assist you at any time.

We commit to providing free sample testing and OEM-level technical support for all replacement projects, jointly advancing the continuous development of high-voltage technology.

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Copyright Notice: This document is copyrighted by HVC Capacitor. Reproduction or use for commercial purposes without permission is prohibited.
Disclaimer: Technical parameters in this document are for reference only; specific specifications are subject to the latest version of the datasheet. METALLUX, HVR 967/968/969, and MEGATRON mentioned herein are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced solely for technical compatibility and replacement guidance.