Analysis of Element distribution and Degradation Characteristics in the grain boundary of ZnO Ceramic Varistors with EPMA

EPMA를 이용한 ZnO 세라믹 바리스터 입계의 원소분포와 열화특성 분석

Element distribution analysis and degradation characteristics of the ZnO varistors fabricated at the ambient sintering-process is investigated in this study. ZnO varistors made of Matsuoka's composition were fabricated by standard ceramic techniques. The ambient sintering-process is performed at the special electrical-furnace which is equipped with the vacuum system. The Gases of injection at sintering- process were oxygen, air, nitrogen and argon respectively. Element and quantitative analysis in the microstructure of ZnO varistors made use of EPMA equipment. Degradation characteristics were showed by DC degradation tests at $115{\pm}2\;^{\circ}C$ for period up to 13 h. From above analysis, it is found that at the DC degradation test the ZnO varistor sintered in oxygen atmosphere showed the excellent prop properties among them and these results could be explain by element and quantitative analysis in ZnO microstructure.