Melt Processing of YBaCuO Oxide Superconductors

Abstract

We report a novel melt process for YBaCuO superconductors that leads to high Jc. Since the superconducting phase in YBaCuO system is produced by a peritectic reaction: Y₂BaCuO(211) + L(liquid) → 2YBa₂Cu₃O_x(123), it is essential to finely disperse the 211 phase in liquid to promote the continuous growth of the 123 phase. In order to achieve fine dispersion of 211 phase, we employed pulverizing and mixing process after cooled from partially melted region. The process enables fine dispersion of Y₂O₃ and/or 211 phase in liquid and therefore the continuous growth of the 123 phase, resulting in high Jc.