HIGH T-C DUAL-PHASE AG-YBA2CU3O7-DELTA COMPOSITES PREPARED BY SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING AND INFILTRATION

Bulk porous samples of YBa2Cu3O7-x were made from powders by selective laser sintering, a near-net-shape forming technology requiring no par t-specific tooling. The porous parts were densified by infiltrating si lver into the pores, resulting in a dense, dual-phase superconducting composite. The laser-processing parameters were varied to obtain the o ptimum microstructure. The laser-sintered parts required oxygen anneal ing after infiltration to restore the orthorhombic, superconducting st ructure. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and T-c measurements indicated that s ome impurity phases were present in samples processed under aggressive laser conditions.