Process for producing a metal-coated, metallized component of aluminum nitride ceramic and metal-coated component obtained thereby

A component of aluminum nitride that is metallized by means of a fired metallizing paste and then galvanically coated with at least one metal layer, the metallizing paste comprises:

• (i) a pulverulent glass of the MnO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 system as an adhesion promoter;
• (ii) a refractory metal powder;
• and (iii) an organic resin dissolved in a suitable solvent and/or screen print oil, whereby the weight ratio of the pulverulent glass powder to the metal powder is within the range of from 1:19 to 6:14, and wherein the metallizing paste has a viscosity of 50-100 Pa.multidot.s when applied by means of screen printing, and a viscosity of <5 Pa.multidot.s when applied by dipping, whereby the component of aluminum nitride metallized with the metallizing paste has metal layers deposited on the metallizing paste, wherein the metal layers applied have a bonding strength given by mean pull-off values of .gtoreq.3.5 kN/cm.sup.2,
• wherein the metallizing paste is applied to the aluminum nitride ceramic and fired at a temperature between 1100.degree. C. and 1600.degree. C. for a period of time of 30 to 120 minutes in a reducing moist gas atmosphere of aqueous nitrogen, whereby the water vapor content of the atmosphere is set to a dewpoint of >295K within the heating up temperature range of from 800.degree. C. to 1050.degree. C., and the atmosphere is set to a dewpoint of <295K at temperatures below 800.degree. C. and above 1050.degree. C.