Preferential orientation of metal oxide superconducting materials by mechanical means

Patent · Tue Nov 27 04:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7268549

Capone, D W

A superconductor comprised of a polycrystalline metal oxide such as YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7[minus]X] (where 0 < X < 0.5) is capable of accommodating very large current densities. By aligning the two-dimensional Cu-O layers which carry the current in the superconducting state in the a- and b-directions, i.e., within the basal plane, a high degree of crystalline axes alignment is provided between adjacent grains permitting the metal oxide material to accommodate high current densities. The orthorhombic crystalline particles have a tendency to lie down on one of the longer sides, i.e., on the a- or b-direction. Aligning the crystals in this orientation is accomplished by mechanical working of the material such as by extrusion, tape casting or slip casting, provided a single crystal powder is used as a starting material, to provide a highly oriented, e.g., approximately 90% of the crystal particles have a common orientation, superconducting matrix capable of supporting large current densities. 3 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• Assignee: Arch Development Corp., Argonne, IL (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 4973575; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-101818
• OSTI ID: 7268549
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360201* -- Ceramics
Cermets
&amp; Refractories-- Preparation &amp; Fabrication
360202 -- Ceramics
Cermets
&amp; Refractories-- Structure &amp; Phase Studies
ALIGNMENT
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BARIUM COMPOUNDS
BARIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER OXIDES
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
FABRICATION
GRAIN ORIENTATION
HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS
MATERIALS WORKING
MICROSTRUCTURE
ORIENTATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY
SUPERCONDUCTORS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS
YTTRIUM OXIDES