Abstract
The electrical properties of (Pb, Nb)-doped TiO 2 varistors sintered with and without a PbO compensation atmosphere were investigated. The sample sintered with a compensation atmosphere exhibited higher resistivity as well as lower dielectric constant and dissipation factor. Besides, samples sintered under a PbO atmosphere possess higher I-V nonlinear exponents. By removing the surface layers of samples, the varistor properties were found improved and the effect of compensation via the atmosphere became less significant. © 1992.