Abstract
In order to enhance sintering characteristics on the $ZnO-Pr_6O_{11}$ based multilayer chip varistors (MLVs), a response surface analysis using central composite design method were carried out. As a result, varistor voltage($V_{1mA}$), nonlinear coefficient ($\alpha$), leakage current ($I_L$) and capacitance (C) were considered to be mainly affected by sintered temperature and holding time. MLVs sintered at $1200^{\circ}C$ and above $1200^{\circ}C$ revealed poor electrical characteristics, possibly due to the reaction between electrode materials(Pd) and $ZnO-Pr_6O_{11}$ based ceramics. On the sintering temperature range $1150{\sim}1175^{\circ}C$, nonlinear coefficient ($\alpha$) and leakage current ($I_L$) were shown to be $60{\sim}69$ and below $0.3{\mu}A$, respectively. In particular, MLVs sintered at $1175^{\circ}C$, 1.5 hr and $2^{\circ}C/hr$ (cooling speed) showed stable ESD(Electrical Static Discharge) characteristics under the condition of 10 times at 8 Kv with deviation varistor voltage, and deviation nonlinear coefficient were 0.3% and 0.33% (at positive), 0.55% (at negative), respectively.
