Ceramic multilayer component, method for the production thereof and retaining device

A method for producing an electrical component, comprising:

• sintering a base comprising a ceramic and at least one internal electrode that contains metal, where sintering occurs in a sintering chamber, the sintering chamber containing a gas and a sintering aid, the sintering aid binding to, and releasing, the gas.

A retaining device for use when sintering electrical components comprised of ceramic and electrodes inside the ceramic, the electrodes containing metal, the retaining device comprising:

• a structure to hold the electrical components the structure having a surface that contains a sintering aid, the sintering aid comprising a material that is able to bind to a gas contained in the structure and to release the gas.

A retaining device for use when sintering electrical components comprised of ceramic and electrodes inside the ceramic, the electrodes containing a first metal, the retaining device comprising:

• a structure to hold the electrical components, the structure having a surface that contains second metal, the second metal having a redox potential that is at least as great as a redox potential of the first metal.

An electrical component comprising:

• a sintered ceramic;
• and
• electrodes inside the sintered ceramic, the sintered ceramic and the electrodes together forming a stack having a first surface and a second surface, the electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode extending to the first surface but not to the second surface, the second electrode extending to the second surface but not to the first surface, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode having a surface that contains metal, the surface being in contact with the sintered ceramic.