Abstract: A composition material for use in manufacturing a varistor consists of the following constituents:a) zinc oxide,b) ceramic structure influencing additives selected from the group consisting of bismuth oxide, boric acid, chromium oxide, cobalt oxide, manganese oxide and tin oxide,c) a grain growth influencing additive selected from the group consisting of antimony oxide, silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide,d) an organic solvent carrier,e) an organic viscosity influencing additive, andf) an organic binder.The composition may serve as a ceramic ink for use in the manufacture of multilayer varistors, especially using a screen printing process.A multilayer varistor with pin receiving apertures has a plurality of electrode segments coplanar to each other surrounding the apertures.

Abstract: A method for use in making multilayered varistors including the steps of forming a plurality of interleaved layers of ceramic material and conductive material, confining the conductive material to spaced areas arranged in rows and columns, displacing the spaced areas of adjacent layers of conductive material from each other, and cutting perpendicularly through the layers. The layers are formed by screen printing.

Abstract: In a varistor of generally cylindrical configuration, which may serve as a connector pin, layers of ceramic material are interleaved between layers of electrode material, each ceramic layer being sandwiched between two electrode material layers. Each layer of electrode material is generally planar and extends transversely to the axis of the cylindrical varistor, in the form of an annular ring. Each alternate annular ring is of different inner and outer diameter. The outer periphery of each larger diameter annular ring is in electrical contact with an outer terminal cap of the varistor, while the inner periphery of each smaller diameter annular electrode layer is in electrical contact with an inner terminal cap extending along a central bore passing axially through the varistor pin. Each ceramic layer may have a thickness dimension less than 30.0 microns, or may be formed by deposition of a powder suspension and subsequent heat treatment to provide a dense continuum of ceramic material of low porosity.

Abstract: A multilayer varistor has alternating layers of ceramic material and electrode material. The layers are interleaved with each ceramic material layer sandwiched between two electrode material layers. One end portion of each electrode layer extends to an end face of the varistor where it is in electrical contact with an end terminal of the varistor. The other end of the layer is spaced by ceramic material from the opposite end terminal of the varistor. Thus alternate electrode material layers are in electrical communication with one and the other end terminal of the varistor unit. The ceramic material layer between each two electrode layers preferably has a thickness dimension less than 30.0 microns, or it may be formed by deposition of a powder suspension and subsequent heat treatment to provide a dense continuum of ceramic material of low porosity.