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U.S. Department of Energy
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Production of a superconductor powder having a narrow melting transition width using a controlled oxygen atmosphere

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7011502

This patent describes a process for producing a superconductor powder, it comprises: providing a mixture of finely divided R[sub 2]O[sub 3], BaCO[sub 3] and CuO in stoichiometric proportions; heating the mixture to a preheat temperature in oxygen at an initial oxygen partial pressure between about 1 and 40 torr; heating the mixture from the preheat temperature to a plateau temperature greater than the preheat temperature; maintaining the mixture at the plateau temperature and the initial oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to calcine the mixture to a superconductor powder; increasing oxygen partial pressure to between about 200 and about 800 torr above the initial oxygen partial pressure; heating the superconductor powder to an increased temperature between about 880[degrees]C and 925[degrees]C at the increased oxygen partial pressure; and maintaining the superconductor powder at the increased temperature and the increased oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to reduce the melting transition width of the superconductor powder.

Assignee:
General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5149684; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-682552
OSTI ID:
7011502
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English