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.

A field grading composite body includes a polymeric matrix and a particulate filler distributed within the polymeric matrix. Particles of the particulate filler include a core formed from a semiconductor material, an oxide mixed layer deposited on the core, and conducting oxide layer. The conducting oxide layer deposited on the oxide mixed layer to provide an electrical percolation path through the polymeric matrix triggered by strength of an electric field extending through the field composite body. Conductors and methods of making field grading composite bodies for conductors are also described.

A chromaticity of zinc oxide is measured. The durability of a zinc oxide varistor is evaluated based on the chromaticity. This provides a varistor with a high durability stably.

A field grading composite body includes a polymeric matrix and a particulate filler distributed within the polymeric matrix. Particles of the particulate filler include a core formed from a semiconductor material, an oxide mixed layer deposited on the core, and conducting oxide layer. The conducting oxide layer deposited on the oxide mixed layer to provide an electrical percolation path through the polymeric matrix triggered by strength of an electric field extending through the field composite body. Conductors and methods of making field grading composite bodies for conductors are also described.

In an embodiment a ceramic material includes ZnO as main constituent, Y as a first additive, second additives including at least one compound containing a metal element, wherein the metal element is selected from the group consisting of Bi, Cr, Co, Mn, Ni and Sb, Si.sup.4+ as a first dopant and second dopants having at least one compound containing a metal cation from Al.sup.3+, B.sup.3+, or Ba.sup.2+, wherein a corresponds to a molar proportion of Bi calculated as Bi.sub.2O.sub.3, b corresponds to a molar proportion of Y calculated as Y.sub.2O.sub.3, c corresponds to a molar proportion of Al calculated as Al.sub.2O.sub.3, d corresponds to a molar proportion of Ba calculated as BaO, e corresponds to a molar proportion of B calculated as B.sub.2O.sub.3, f corresponds to a molar proportion of Si calculated as SiO.sub.2, g corresponds to a molar proportion of Ni calculated as NiO, h corresponds to a molar proportion of Co calculated as Co.sub.3O.sub.4, i corresponds to a molar proportion of Cr calculated as Cr.sub.2O.sub.3, j corresponds to a molar proportion of Sb calculated as Sb.sub.2O.sub.3, and k corresponds to a molar proportion of Mn calculated as Mn.sub.3O.sub.4.

A PPTC device is provided. The PPTC device may include a first electrode and a second electrode, disposed opposite the first electrode. The PPTC device may include a PPTC layer, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the PPTC layer comprising a polymer matrix formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.

A chromaticity of zinc oxide is measured. The durability of a zinc oxide varistor is evaluated based on the chromaticity. This provides a varistor with a high durability stably.

A PPTC device is provided. The PPTC device may include a first electrode and a second electrode, disposed opposite the first electrode. The PPTC device may include a PPTC layer, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the PPTC layer comprising a polymer matrix formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.

A PPTC device is provided. The PPTC device may include a first electrode and a second electrode, disposed opposite the first electrode. The PPTC device may include a PPTC layer, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the PPTC layer comprising a polymer matrix formed from a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.

A lead-free insulating ceramic coating zinc oxide arrester valve and a method for manufacturing thereof are disclosed. In an embodiment a method includes preparing an initial powder from starting materials with the following mass percentages: ZnO: 86-95%; Bi2O3: 1.0-3.0%; Co3O4: 0.5-1.5%; Mn3O4: 0.2-1.0%; Sb2O3: 3.0-9.0 %; NiO: 0.2-1.0%; and SiO2: 1.0-3.0%, preparing a ceramic coating powder by mixing the initial powder, deionized water and first grinding balls, milling the mixture, and drying and pulverizing the mixture, preparing a ceramic coating slurry by mixing a PVA solution, the ceramic coating powder and second grinding balls and milling the mixture, applying the ceramic coating slurry to a green body, heating and debinding the ceramic coating slurry with the green body thereby forming a resistor element and sintering the resistor element thereby obtaining a zinc oxide surge arrester valve block having a lead-free insulating ceramic coating.