composite material and method for the manufacture

Thermistor material consisting of:

• as a first phase a homogeneous matrix enclosing interstitial spaces and comprising a material which has insulating properties;
• and
• a third phase consisting of
• a third phase material and
• a second phase material, which is a dispersion material consisting of particulates of a material dispersed discontinuously within said material of said third phase, wherein
• said third phase is dispersed continuously in the form of a three-dimensional network in the interstitial spaces enclosed by said matrix, and has a different thermal expansion coefficient from said matrix which relieves internal stress caused by a difference in thermal expansion;
• and
• the second phase has a thermal expansion coefficient different from said matrix;
• and
• said dispersion material consists of a semiconductor material or a material which has electrical conductivity, is dispersed discontinuously in the aforementioned third phase, is dispersed discontinuously in the form of a three-dimensional network in the thermistor material, and forms an electrical path structure.

A composite material comprising:

• a ceramic base material comprising a crystalline material;
• a ceramic reinforcing layer bonded to said ceramic base material;
• and
• particulates of a dispersion material dispersed discontinuously within said ceramic reinforcing layer, wherein
• said dispersion material is dispersed discontinuously in the form of a three-dimensional network in said composite material, and
• said crystalline material is selected from a group consisting of an amorphous material of a crystalline base material;
• a material which has a higher density than the base material;
• an amorphous material or a single crystal material with properties identical to those of the base material;
• a material which has a smaller elastic modulus than the base material;
• a material which has a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the base material and the dispersion material;
• a material comprising at least one element found in the dispersion material;
• a mixed material of the base material and its sintering aid;
• and a sintering aid for the base material and/or dispersion material.