Process for forming varistor ink composition

The teachings of these patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. A process for forming a thixotropic ink for use in manufacturing the ceramic of a zinc oxide varistor where the ceramic includes zinc, oxygen and a plurality of additive elements. The process includes the steps of calcining a mixture of powders of zinc oxide and the additive elements to form a calcined product having a particle size larger than the particle size of the zinc ozide powders, mixing said calcined product with an organic liquid, mechanically working the mixture to produce a calcined particulate material in the organic liquid having a particle size less than the particle size of said calcined product, adding an organic binder to the mixture and mixing the composition to produce said ink.