METHOD OF BAKING EXTERNAL ELECTRODE AND CONTINUOUS KILN

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To bake an external electrode which can sufficiently satisfy both the reliability of electrical connection between an internal electrode and the external electrode and the sintering property of the external electrode. SOLUTION: External electrode (external electrode) paste composed of Cu powder, B-Si-Zn glass frit, and an organic vehicle is applied on an end face of a ceramic sintering body having an Ni internal electrode, and the paste is baked at thresholds of 400°C and 700°C in a continuous kiln having an area composed of three atmospheres. Each area is composed of a first acid atmosphere, a weakly acid or reducing atmosphere, and a second acid atmosphere. A binder is removed in the first acid atmosphere, the connection between the internal electrode and the external electrode is improved in the weakly acid or reducing atmosphere, and the external electrode is sintered in the second acid atmosphere. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO