Resistor compositions using a Cu-containing glass frit

1. A thick-film resistor paste composition including a resistor composition dispersed in an organic vehicle, said resistor composition comprising:

(a) a conductive composition comprising ruthenium oxide and ruthenium pyrochlore oxide; and

(b) at least a first and a second glass frit, wherein said first glass frit comprises copper, wherein said first glass frit comprises: (i) 5-15 wt % B 2 O 3 , (ii) 40-55 wt % SiO 2 , (iii) 15-35 wt % of an oxide selected from the group consisting of BaO, CaO, ZnO, SrO, and combinations thereof; and wherein (iv) said copper is 2-8 wt % CuO, (v) Ta2O5 is 2-8 wt % and (vi) an oxide selected from the group consisting of Na 2 O, K 2 O, Li 2 O and combinations thereof is 1-8 wt %, and optionally including any of (vii) ZrO 2 0-6 wt % and (viii) 0-8 wt % Al 2 O 3 , based upon the weight of said first glass frit.

2. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 1 wherein said ruthenium oxide has an average specific surface area of greater than about 15 m 2 /g.

3. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 1 wherein said ruthenium pyrochlore oxide is lead ruthenium pyrochlore oxide.

4. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 1 wherein said first glass frit comprises from about 8 wt % to about 20 wt % of said thick-film resistor paste composition, based upon the weight of said thick-film resistor paste composition.

5. A thick-film resistor paste composition including a resistor composition dispersed in an organic vehicle, said resistor composition comprising:

(a) a conductive composition comprising ruthenium oxide and ruthenium pyrochlore oxide; and

(b) at least a first and a second glass frit, wherein said first glass frit comprises copper,

wherein said first glass frit comprises: (i) 5-36 wt % B 2 O 3 , (ii) 23-54 wt % SiO 2 , (iii) an oxide selected from the group consisting of 6-54 wt % BaO, CaO, 2-13 wt % ZnO, 0.5-5.0 wt % SrO, and combinations thereof; and wherein (iv) said copper is 1-9 wt % CuO, (v) Ta 2 O 5 is 0.3-7 wt % and (vi) an oxide selected from the group consisting of 0.5-6.0 wt % Na 2 O, 0.3-8.0 wt % K 2 O, Li 2 O and combinations thereof, and (vi)2-7 wt % Al 2 O 3 , based upon the weight of said first glass frit.

6. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 5 wherein said ruthenium oxide has an average specific surface area of greater than about 15 m 2 /g.

7. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 5 wherein said ruthenium pyrochlore oxide is lead ruthenium pyrochlore oxide.

8. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 5 wherein said first glass frit comprises from about 8 wt % to about 20 wt % of said thick-film resistor paste composition, based upon the weight of said thick-film resistor paste composition.

9. A thick-film resistor paste composition including a resistor composition dispersed in an organic vehicle, said resistor composition comprising:

(a) a conductive composition comprising ruthenium oxide and optionally ruthenium pyrochlore oxide; and

(b) at least a first and a second glass frit, wherein said first glass frit comprises copper,

wherein said first glass frit comprises: (i) 5-15 wt % B 2 O 3 , (ii) 40-55 wt % SiO 2 , (iii)15-35 wt % of an oxide selected from the group consisting of BaO, CaO, ZnO, SrO, and combinations thereof; and wherein (iv) said copper is 2-8 wt % CuO, (v) Ta 2 O 5 is 2-8 wt % and (vi) an oxide selected from the group consisting of Na 2 O, K 2 O, Li 2 O and combinations thereof is 1-8 wt %, and optionally including any of (vii) ZrO 2 0-6 wt % and (viii)0-8 wt % Al 2 O 3 , based upon the weight of said first glass frit.

10. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 9 wherein said ruthenium oxide has an average specific surface area of greater than about 15 m 2 /g.

11. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 9 wherein said first glass frit comprises from about 8 wt % to about 20 wt % of said thick-film resistor paste composition, based upon the weight of said thick-film resistor paste composition.

12. A thick-film resistor paste composition including a resistor composition dispersed in an organic vehicle, said resistor composition comprising:

(a) a conductive composition comprising ruthenium oxide and optionally ruthenium pyrochlore oxide; and

(b) at least a first and a second glass frit, wherein said first glass frit comprises copper,

wherein said first glass frit comprises: (i) 5-36 wt % B 2 O 3 , (ii) 23-54 wt % SiO 2 , (iii) an oxide selected from the group consisting of 6-54 wt % BaO, CaO, 2-13 wt % ZnO, 0.5-5.0 wt % SrO, and combinations thereof; and wherein (iv) said copper is 1-9 wt % CuO, (v) Ta 2 O 5 is 0.3-7 wt % and (vi) an oxide selected from the group consisting of 0.5-6.0 wt % Na 2 O, 0.3-8.0 wt % K 2 O, Li 2 O and combinations thereof, and (vi)2-7 wt % Al 2 O 3 , based upon the weight of said first glass frit.

13. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 12 wherein said ruthenium oxide has an average specific surface area of greater than about 15 m 2 /g.

14. A thick-film resistor paste composition according to claim 12 wherein said first glass frit comprises from about 8 wt % to about 20 wt % of said thick-film resistor paste composition, based upon the weight of said thick-film resistor paste composition.