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.

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 sintered body that includes semiconductor ceramic layers and an internal electrode which are alternately stacked on one another is prepared. A first external electrode is formed on a side surface of the sintered body such that the first external electrode is connected to the internal electrode. An insulating layer is formed on a surface of the sintered body by applying a glass coating over an entire of the sintered body having the formed first external electrode. The insulating layer is exposed from the first external electrode. A second external electrode is formed on the first external electrode. This method provides the produced multilayer electronic component with a stable electric connection between the internal electrodes and the external electrodes.

A sintered body that includes semiconductor ceramic layers and an internal electrode which are alternately stacked on one another is prepared. A first external electrode is formed on a side surface of the sintered body such that the first external electrode is connected to the internal electrode. An insulating layer is formed on a surface of the sintered body by applying a glass coating over an entire of the sintered body having the formed first external electrode. The insulating layer is exposed from the first external electrode. A second external electrode is formed on the first external electrode. This method provides the produced multilayer electronic component with a stable electric connection between the internal electrodes and the external electrodes.

A resistive composition is provided to form thick film resistors on a substrate. The resistive composition includes platinum particles and ceramic particles. The ceramic particles include alumina particles. An organic vehicle can be included to form an ink or paste for thick film process. After application to the substrate, the resistive composition is fired to form the thick film resistors, which is fully adhered to the substrate.

A method for manufacturing a multilayer varistor includes: a first step including providing a multilayer stack in which a plurality of green sheet layers, each containing a Zn oxide powder as a main component and a Pr oxide powder as a sub-component, and a plurality of internal electrode paste layers, each containing a Pd powder, are alternately stacked; and a second step including forming a sintered compact, including an internal electrode inside, by baking the multilayer stack. The second step includes: a first sub-step including baking the multilayer stack by setting an oxygen concentration in an atmosphere at 1000 ppm by volume or less while increasing a temperature from 500° C. to 800° C.; and a second sub-step including baking, after the first sub-step, the multilayer stack by setting the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere at 1000 ppm by volume or more while increasing the temperature to a maximum allowable temperature.

A heater includes an aluminum nitride base having equal to or less than 1% impurities, particularly one embodiment having none of polybrominated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated paraffin, phthalate, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. At least one resistive trace of silver and palladium overlies the base as does a conductor of silver and platinum or palladium that electrically connects to the resistive trace to apply an external voltage to the resistive trace for heating thereof. At least four, but optionally five, layers of glass overlie the resistive trace and part of the conductor. A first two consecutive layers of the glass layers define a first glass having a solid content of more than 65% and a viscosity of 100 Pa.Math.s or less. The following two or three consecutive layers of the five layers define a second glass dissimilar to the first.

A heater includes an aluminum nitride base having equal to or less than 1% impurities, particularly one embodiment having none of polybrominated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated paraffin, phthalate, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. At least one resistive trace of silver and palladium overlies the base as does a conductor of silver and platinum or palladium that electrically connects to the resistive trace to apply an external voltage to the resistive trace for heating thereof. At least four, but optionally five, layers of glass overlie the resistive trace and part of the conductor. A first two consecutive layers of the glass layers define a first glass having a solid content of more than 65% and a viscosity of 100 Pa.Math.s or less. The following two or three consecutive layers of the five layers define a second glass dissimilar to the first.

A method of making a heater includes an aluminum nitride base having equal to or less than 1% impurities, particularly one embodiment having none of polybrominated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated paraffin, phthalate, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. The base is fired in a heating unit before any layering. Thereafter, on a topside and backside of the base a conductor layer is layered and allowed to settle and dry before firing. Next, a resistive layer is layered on the base from a resistor paste such that the resistive layer connects to the conductor layer on the topside. The resistor paste is allowed to settle and dry and then the base with the conductor and resistor layers is fired. At least four layers of glass are layered next over the resistive layer, each instance thereof including layering a glass, drying the glass and firing.

A method of making a heater includes an aluminum nitride base having equal to or less than 1% impurities, particularly one embodiment having none of polybrominated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ether, hexabromocyclododecane, polyvinyl chloride, chlorinated paraffin, phthalate, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. The base is fired in a heating unit before any layering. Thereafter, on a topside and backside of the base a conductor layer is layered and allowed to settle and dry before firing. Next, a resistive layer is layered on the base from a resistor paste such that the resistive layer connects to the conductor layer on the topside. The resistor paste is allowed to settle and dry and then the base with the conductor and resistor layers is fired. At least four layers of glass are layered next over the resistive layer, each instance thereof including layering a glass, drying the glass and firing.