Abstract: The invention relates to a metal paste, containing (A) 75 to 90% by weight of copper and/or silver particles that are provided with a coating containing at least one organic compound, (B) 5 to 20% by weight of an organic solvent, and (C) 2 to 20% by weight of at least one type of metal particles different from the particles of (A) and having an average particle size (d50) in the range of 0.2 to 10 ?m. The metal particles of component (C) are selected from the group consisting of molybdenum particles and nickel core-silver shell particles with a silver content of 10 to 90% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting components, comprising the following steps: (1) applying a metal paste containing an organic solvent to the contact surface of a first component; (2) optionally applying the metal paste to the contact surface of a second component to be connected to the first component; (3) producing a sandwich arrangement with the two components and a layer of the metal paste in-between; (4) drying the layer of metal paste between the components; and (5) pressureless sintering of the sandwich arrangement comprising the layer of dried metal paste, the drying and the pressureless sintering being performed by irradiation with IR radiation with a peak wavelength in the wavelength range of between 750 and 1500 nm. The components can be selected from the group consisting of substrates, active components and passive components. One or both of the components can be permeable to IR radiation.