Abstract: For producing a heating element with a high heat-up rate and a predetermined resistance value for igniting airbag systems, a base member made of an aluminum oxide ceramic material is provided with a glass or glass ceramic coating. A layer of AuPd resinate is applied by screen printing over a large area of the ceramic coating which, if necessary, can be lapped and polished. The resinate layer is subsequently etched to form a resistive path having area-wise constrictions. The ends of the resistive path are subsequently contacted by a AgPd thick-film conductive paste, wherein the Pd content of a conductive paste determines the desired resistance value. After the thick-film conductive paste is dried and fired, the coated base member is subjected to a thermal treatment at temperatures in the range of 850-950° C. until the palladium in the resistor layer is uniformly distributed and the resistance value is stable.