> I want to create filters, but lack large value non-polarized capacitors.
>=20
> 1. I hear that charging a polarized capacitor (electrolytic, for example)
> the wrong way can damage it. In this case, what exactly happens? Does the
> capacitor just "conduct"? Does it become "damaged"? If so, how?

It is likely to go 'bang' in some destructive manner. On a typical electrol=
ytic capacitor with a rubber bung in one end the bung is likely to get blow=
n out violently and much aluminium foil spread over a sizeable area, along =
with a horrible stink from the decomposed electrolyte.

> 2. I also hear that you can make a bipolar electrolytic capacitor by
> connecting two electrolytic caps back to back.
>=20
> 2.1. But wont this cause one of the capacitors to charge in reverse, thus
> "damaging" it?

Yes, and maybe, but it works. I suspect that what happens is the one that i=
s correctly biased halts the DC current flow that would cause the electroly=
te in the reverse biased one to do things it shouldn't.

> 2.2. Does this mean, in order to make a 10uF bipolar electrolytic cap, I
> would just wire two 10uF caps back to back?

No, the resultant capacity is half the value of the two series capacitors.

> 3. Are electrolytic caps suitable for filter applications anyway?

Not really, they have too large a tolerance, a typical aluminium wet electr=
olytic capacitor is +100/-50% tolerance.

> 4. What about mylar capacitors?

Mylar capacitors tend to be reasonably close tolerance, and non-polarised l=
ow leakage. Certainly suitable for filters, but may be physically large in =
the uF range.
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