Authors: P. Diko, S. Kracunovska, W. Gawalek

Addresses: Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Watsonova 47, 04353 Kosice, Slovakia. ' SFachhochschule Jena, Fachbereich SciTec, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, Germany. ' Institut fur Physikalische Hochtechnologie, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 9, Jena D-07745, Germany

Abstract: The samples for the TSMG process are fabricated from powders of suitable composition by standard powder metallurgy technology (powder mixing, milling, pressing and sintering and melt-growth). The changes in powder size and morphology induced by milling are characterised by electron microscopy and Particle Size Distribution (PSD) measurements. The optimum milling conditions lead to a significant refinement and mixing of the Y₂O₃ and CeO₂ additives and only slight refinement of the Y123 powders. On the nanoscale Y2O3 particles, Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y211) particles nucleate and grow which results in Y211 particle refinement and improvement of the superconducting properties.

Keywords: YBCO bulk superconductors; powder analysis; sintering; melt processing; microstructure analysis; metal powders; powder metallurgy; powder size; morphology; milling; superconducting properties.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2007.015729

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2007 Vol.28 No.3/4, pp.270 - 290

Published online: 11 Nov 2007 *