Metallizing paste and a process for metallizing ceramic articles by using such a metallizing paste

A process for metallizing ceramic articles, which comprises the steps of:

• (1) applying, to a surface of a ceramic member, a metallizing paste containing, as inorganic materials, 15 to 50% by weight of a component to form a glass phase consisting essentially of 5 to 25% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 35 to 55% by weight of SiO.sub.2 and 30 to 55% by weight of MnO, and 50 to 85% by weight of metallic molybdenum powder having a purity of not less than 99.5% by weight and an average particle size of 0.65.+-.0.1 .mu.m;
• (2) drying the metallizing paste applied onto the surface of the ceramic member;
• (3) heating the ceramic member having the dried metallized paste on the surface thereof at a temperature range from 1,200.degree. to 1,400.degree. C. for 0.5 to 10 hours in a mixed gas of hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas in which a ratio in partial pressure between steam and hydrogen, (PH.sub.2 O/PH.sub.2), is adjusted to be in a range of 10.sup.-6 to 10.sup.0 ;
• and
• (4) cooling the ceramic member to room temperature.