MECHANICAL-BEHAVIOR OF MGO-WHISKER REINFORCED (BI,PB)(2)SR2CA2CU3OY HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTING COMPOSITE

The inherently weak mechanical properties of bulk monolithic high-temp erature superconductors (HTS) have been a concern. Properly selected r einforcements in fiber and whisker forms have been introduced to the H TS ceramics to improve their mechanical properties. In this paper, mec hanical behavior of a MgO-whisker reinforced Pb-doped Bi-2223 (BPSCCO) HTS composite fabricated by a solid-state processing method is studie d. The (MgO)(w)/BPSCCO HTS composite has been shown to exhibit excelle nt superconducting properties. Elastic properties, strengths, and notc hed fracture toughnesses of both the monolithic BPSCCO and the (MgO)(w )/BPSCCO HTS composite are investigated. Detailed mechanical propertie s are reported for the first time for the (MgO)(w)/BPSCCO HTS composit e. Mechanisms of strengthening and toughening in the MgO-whisker-reinf orced HTS composite are also discussed.