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Title: Method of producing improved microstructure and properties for ceramic superconductors

Abstract

A ceramic superconductor is produced by close control of oxygen partial pressure during sintering of the material. The resulting microstructure of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} indicates that sintering kinetics are enhanced at reduced p(O{sub 2}). The density of specimens sintered at 910 C increased from 79 to 94% theoretical when p(O{sub 2}) was decreased from 0.1 to 0.0001 MPa. The increase in density with decrease in p(O{sub 2}) derives from enhanced sintering kinetics, due to increased defect concentration and decreased activation energy of the rate-controlling species undergoing diffusion. Sintering at 910 C resulted in a fine-grain microstructure, with an average grain size of approximately 4 {micro}m. Such a microstructure results in reduced microcracking, strengths as high as 191 MPa and high critical current density capacity. 20 figs.

Inventors:
; ; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
242588
Patent Number(s):
5525586
Application Number:
PAN: 8-306,927; TRN: 96:013088
Assignee:
Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
W-31109-ENG-38
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 11 Jun 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; YTTRIUM OXIDES; FABRICATION; MICROSTRUCTURE; BARIUM OXIDES; COPPER OXIDES; CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES; HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS; PRESSURE DEPENDENCE; TEMPERATURE RANGE 1000-4000 K

Citation Formats

Singh, J P, Guttschow, R A, Dusek, J T, and Poeppel, R B. Method of producing improved microstructure and properties for ceramic superconductors. United States: N. p., 1996. Web.
Singh, J P, Guttschow, R A, Dusek, J T, & Poeppel, R B. Method of producing improved microstructure and properties for ceramic superconductors. United States.
Singh, J P, Guttschow, R A, Dusek, J T, and Poeppel, R B. Tue . "Method of producing improved microstructure and properties for ceramic superconductors". United States.
@article{osti_242588,
title = {Method of producing improved microstructure and properties for ceramic superconductors},
author = {Singh, J P and Guttschow, R A and Dusek, J T and Poeppel, R B},
abstractNote = {A ceramic superconductor is produced by close control of oxygen partial pressure during sintering of the material. The resulting microstructure of YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub x} indicates that sintering kinetics are enhanced at reduced p(O{sub 2}). The density of specimens sintered at 910 C increased from 79 to 94% theoretical when p(O{sub 2}) was decreased from 0.1 to 0.0001 MPa. The increase in density with decrease in p(O{sub 2}) derives from enhanced sintering kinetics, due to increased defect concentration and decreased activation energy of the rate-controlling species undergoing diffusion. Sintering at 910 C resulted in a fine-grain microstructure, with an average grain size of approximately 4 {micro}m. Such a microstructure results in reduced microcracking, strengths as high as 191 MPa and high critical current density capacity. 20 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1996},
month = {6}
}