Provided according to embodiments of the invention are varistor ceramic formulations that include zinc oxide (ZnO). In particular, varistor ceramic formulations of the invention may include dopants including an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth compound, an oxide of boron, an oxide of aluminum, or a combination thereof. Varistor ceramic formulations may also include other metal oxides. Also provided according to embodiments of the invention are varistor ceramic materials formed by sintering a varistor ceramic formulation according to an embodiment of the invention. Further provided are varistors formed from such ceramic materials and methods of making such materials.

To provide a zinc oxide-based varistor that exhibits adequate characteristics without using antimony. Disclosed is a sintered body for a varistor, including zinc oxide as a main component; 0.6 to 3.0 mol % of bismuth oxide in terms of bismuth (Bi); 0.2 to 1.4 mol % of cobalt oxide in terms of cobalt (Co); 0.1 to 1.5 mol % of chrome oxide in terms of chrome (Cr); and 0.1 to 1.5 mol % of manganese oxide in terms of manganese (Mn), wherein the contents of antimony (Sb), a rare earth element and tin (Sn) are not more than a level of impurities.

A porous material includes an aggregate in which oxide films are formed on surfaces of particle bodies, and a binding material that contains cordierite and binds the aggregate together in a state where pores are formed. The binding material or the oxide films contain a rare-earth component that excludes Ce.

A ceramic substrate and a method for production thereof are provided, in which the ceramic substrate includes a composite of : a first ceramic layer including Sr anorthite and Al.sub.2O.sub.3 or an oxide dielectric with a dielectric constant higher than that of Al.sub.2O.sub.3; and a second ceramic layer including Sr anorthite and cordierite and having a dielectric constant lower than that of the first ceramic layer.

(i) a step of disposing a powder that includes an absorber absorbing light of a wavelength included in a laser beam to be irradiated and silicon dioxide as a main component; (ii) a step of sintering or melting and solidifying the powder by irradiating the powder with a laser beam; and (iii) a step of heat-treating a shaped object formed by repeating the steps (i) and (ii) at 1470° C. or more and less than 1730° C.

A composite magnetic material has a plurality of grains having a magnetic ferrite phase, grain boundaries surrounding the grains, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed at the grain boundaries. The nanoparticles of the composite material are both magnetic and electrically insulating, having a magnetic flux density of greater than about 100 mT and an electrical resistivity of at least about 10.sup.8 Ohm-cm. Also provided is a method of making the composite material. The material is useful for making inductor cores of electronic devices.

Provided is at least one of a zirconia sintered body and a method for producing the same. The zirconia sintered body can be used in a wide range of applications compared with ceramic joined bodies of the related art that include transparent zirconia. A zirconia sintered body includes a transparent zirconia portion and an opaque zirconia portion, wherein the zirconia sintered body has a biaxial flexural strength of greater than or equal to 300 MPa.

Provided according to embodiments of the invention are varistor ceramic formulations that include zinc oxide (ZnO). In particular, varistor ceramic formulations of the invention may include dopants including an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth compound, an oxide of boron, an oxide of aluminum, or a combination thereof. Varistor ceramic formulations may also include other metal oxides. Also provided according to embodiments of the invention are varistor ceramic materials formed by sintering a varistor ceramic formulation according to an embodiment of the invention. Further provided are varistors formed from such ceramic materials and methods of making such materials.

Provided is a multilayer ceramic capacitor having dielectric layers and internal electrode layers laminated alternately on one another. Each internal electrode layer comprises a common ceramic material containing 3 to 25% by weight of rare earth elements, and through the rare earth elements, high dielectric layers are formed on the interfaces between the dielectric layers and the internal electrode layers.

Provided according to embodiments of the invention are varistor ceramic formulations that include zinc oxide (ZnO). In particular, varistor ceramic formulations of the invention may include dopants including an alkali metal compound, an alkaline earth compound, an oxide of boron, an oxide of aluminum, or a combination thereof. Varistor ceramic formulations may also include other metal oxides. Also provided according to embodiments of the invention are varistor ceramic materials formed by sintering a varistor ceramic formulation according to an embodiment of the invention. Further provided are varistors formed from such ceramic materials and methods of making such materials.