Patent ID: 8776364

Claim:
A method for producing a multilayer ceramic component, the multilayer ceramic component comprising a stack comprising ceramic layers and electrode layers interspersed among the ceramic layers, the electrode layers containing copper, the electrode layers comprising first and second internal electrodes, the method comprising: applying first and second external contacts to different sides of the stack, the first and second external contacts containing copper, the first and second external contacts being substantially perpendicular to the ceramic layers and electrode layers, wherein applying comprises debindering and sintering metal paste to form the first and second external contacts; wherein debindering is performed at a temperature of less than or equal to 300° C. in a nitrogen stream with water vapor; wherein, at least during debindering, an oxygen partial pressure does not drop below a level of p min , at which ceramic contained in the ceramic layers begins to degrade; wherein the oxygen partial pressure does not exceed a level of p max , at which metallic copper will begin to oxidize; wherein the first internal electrode is connected to the first external contact and the second internal electrode is connected to the second external contact, the first and second internal electrodes overlapping each other at a plane intersecting the stack, wherein in areas adjacent to boundaries between the first and second external contacts and the ceramic layers, the first and second external contacts are not oxidized and material comprising the ceramic layers is not diminished, and wherein a bonding strength of the external contacts to the stack exceeds 50N.