ZnO varistors prepared by direct mixing of constituent phases

ZnO varistors with non-linearity coefficients reaching 50 and low values of the leakage current (similar to0.01 A/m(2)), were obtained by a method referred to as "direct mixing of constituent phases". The method is based on sintering of a mixture of the constituent phases with the following compositions: ZnO phase uniformly doped with Co2+ and Mn2+; intergranular phase: gamma -Bi2O3 stabilized with Mn2+ or Zn2+; spinel phase: Zn1.971Ni0.090Co0.030Cr0.247Mn0.090Sb0.545O4 AS proved, the obtained varistors are composed of the same phases as those introduced into the system. The influence of composition as well as milling and sintering parameters on the varistor characteristics were investigated. Some varistor powder mixtures were intensively milled before sintering. As a result, high density ceramics with higly homogeneous microstructure were obtained after sintering.