The effect of cooling rate on microstructure, V-I characteristics, dielectric characteristics, and their degradation characteristics against DC stress of varistors composing of (ZnOPr6O11CoOCr2O3Y2O3)-Pr-.-Co-.-Cr-.-Y-.-based ceramics was investigated in the range of 2-8 degreesC/min. The cooling rate affected the electrical properties, whereas particularly DC degradation characteristics. The highest nonlinearity, with nonlinear exponent of 56.8 and leakage current of 1.6 muA was obtained from a cooling rate of 2 degreesC/min. However, the best degradation characteristics were obtained at a cooling rate of 4 degreesC/min. The stability against DC stress with cooling rate was found to be increased gradually in order of 8 --> 2 --> 6 --> 4 degreesC/min in cooling rate. As a result, the degradation characteristics of varistors can be improved by changing the cooling rate. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.