ZINC SATURATION IN YBA2CU3O7-DELTA

Saturation in YBa2(Cu1-xZnx)(3)O-7-delta has been studied in relation to phase composition. Nominal compositions up to x = 0.3 have been syn thesized by an optimized 3 steps solid state route. Values as high as x = 0.12 were observed at nominal zinc content where secondary phases appear (x greater than or equal to 0. 1). Mixtures of pure YB2Cu3O7 de lta with ZnO were also sintered. In this case, x is never higher than 0.07. Rietveld refinement applied to X-ray diffraction datas shows tha t the orthorhombic character of the YBa2Cu3O7-delta lattice is maintai ned in the range 0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to O.12. Correlations between zinc saturation and Y2O3-BaCO3-CuO phase diagram are established.