A component made of electrically insulating material with a detection structure for mechanical damage such as cracks is disclosed. The detection structure is a conductor. The electrical properties of the detection structure are modified as more and more cracks are formed such that the component will be replaced in time before breaking. The electrical conductor is formed by particles that are in contact with each other and have a metallic surface such that an electrical conductor is created which is particularly sensitive to mechanical damage, thus rendering the detection structure highly sensitive. Furthermore, if the metallic surface is produced merely by cladding the particles while the inside of the particles is made of the same material as the component, a conductor featuring an adapted thermal expansion behavior is created for components that are subject to great thermal stress, e.g. heat shield panels.