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Title: The sinter forging of the barium-yttrium-copper-oxide superconductor

Miscellaneous ·
OSTI ID:6948899

Sinter forging typically exhibits components of both densification and deformation, which depends upon temperature, loading conditions and material characteristics. These parameters were investigated to gain a better understanding of the underlying phenomena and mechanisms operating in the sinter forging of the Ba{sub 2}YCu{sub 3}O{sub 6+x} superconductor. The apparatus used allowed variable loading and temperature profiles to be applied to porous compacts. Three linear variable differential transformers (LVDT's) measured axial and radial displacements. Laboratory and commercial superconductor compositions were investigated. Sinter forged compacts were characterized in terms of radial and axial strains, strain rates, density, x-ray diffraction, and optical microscopy. Sinter forging enhanced densification compared to sintering without a load. Densification was non-uniform due to friction at the interface between the sample and the pressurizing rams. Radial density gradients invalidated the use of biaxial dilatometry to measure densification and deformation kinetics. The sample deformation was correlated to densification in the early stages and to creep processes in the final stages of forging. Analysis of grain size corrected axial strain rates indicates deformation was controlled by diffusion in the grain boundary region. Grain growth kinetics increased with applied stress. Increasing the applied stress had a favorable effect on the grain size density trajectory. X-ray diffraction indicated a preferential alignment of the grains with the sinter forge axis. The c-axis distribution was radially symmetric about the forge axis, indicating a fiber-like texture. The degree of orientation increases towards the mid-height but was invariant across the diameter. Applied loads on particle rearrangement in the high porosity stage of sintering was significant in densification and the development of preferred orientation.

Research Organization:
Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
6948899
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English