The components are connected to each other by pressure sintering by the silver sintering agent arranged between them, i.e., the components and the silver sintering agent situated between them are connected to each other by heating and by applying mechanical pressure without the metals of the metallic contact surfaces of the components and of the silver of the silver sintering agent transitioning into the liquid phase.

In embodiment (1) of the method, the pressure sintering takes place in an atmosphere that contains at least one oxidizable compound. Examples of suitable oxidizable compounds include carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and formic acid. The atmosphere can consist of the at least one oxidizable and gaseous compound or it can contain the latter in combination with inert gases such as, in particular, nitrogen and/or argon. Preferably, the fraction of oxidizable compounds in the atmosphere is 1 to 30 vol. %.

In embodiment (II) of the method, the silver oxide surfaces of the silver sintering agent and—if the metallic contact surface of at least one of the at least two components comprises a metal oxide layer—preferably the latter as well is/are being provided with at least one, i.e., with one or a mixture of two or more, oxidizable organic compounds, before forming the joint contact surface.

The oxidizable organic compounds preferably comprise 1 to 50, more preferably 2 to 24, even more preferably 6 to 24, and yet more preferably 8 to 20 carbon atoms and have at least one functional group.

It is preferable to use free fatty acids, fatty acid salts or fatty acid esters as oxidizable organic compounds. The free fatty acids, fatty acid salts, and fatty acid esters preferably are non-branched. Moreover, the free fatty acids, fatty acid salts, and fatty acid esters are preferably saturated.