Geometrical and electrical properties of NTC polycrystalline thermistors vs. Changes of sintering parameters

Abstract

NTC thermistor powder was made of a Mn, Ni, Fe and Co oxide mixture calcinated at 1050°C / 60 min. The powder was milled in a ball mill down to an average particle diameter of 0.9 μm. Small disc shaped pills of the powder obtained were made by pressing with a pressure of 2.5 MPa. The pills were sintered in the temperature range of 900-1400 °C for 30-240 min. The volume and specific volume resistivity change were measured as a function of sintering conditions. Microstructure development was observed using a SEM microscope. Using the results obtained, optimization of sintering parameters was performed in order to determine optimal electrical properties of the selected thermistor composition.