Unidirectional partial melting and solidification of SmBCO superconductor

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Journal of Materials Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1997.0267· OSTI ID:542181

Sumida, M ^[1]; Nakamura, Y; Shiohara, Y ^[2]; Umeda, T ^[1]

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1. Department of Metallurgy, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113 (Japan)
2. Superconductivity Research Laboratory---International Superconductivity Technology Center, 1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135 (Japan)

Microstructure control of SmBCO superconductor was carried out using the floating zone partial melting and solidification method. It is generally recognized that finely and uniformly dispersed non-superconductive high temperature stable phase (Sm211) particles included in the superconductive Sm123 matrix act as effective pinning centers. Microstructure formation of the partial molten mixture (Sm211 particles and BaO{endash}CuO liquid) by decomposition of the precursor Sm123 on melting and solidification of Sm123 from the mixture have to be controlled concurrently to fabricate the 123/211 composite fiber with the optimum microstructure. During unidirectional solidification, planar crystal growth which provides the single crystal growth of Sm123 becomes unstable with increased growth rate. During unidirectional melting, the mean diameter of aligned Sm211 particles behind the melting interface decreases with increased growth rate and with decreased temperature gradient at the melting interface. Initial composition of the precursor significantly affects the formation behavior of Sm211 particles. The contribution of process parameters to the microstructure formation is also briefly discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997 Materials Research Society.}

• OSTI ID: 542181
• Journal Information: Journal of Materials Research, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Research Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 12; ISSN JMREEE; ISSN 0884-2914
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BARIUM OXIDES
COPPER OXIDES
CRYSTALLIZATION
HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS
INTERFACES
MELTING
MICROSTRUCTURE
PHASE STUDIES
SAMARIUM OXIDES