ADVANCES IN MELT-PROCESSED HTS APPLICATIONS AT POLITECNICO-DI-TORINO

This paper deals with a comparison of chemical, physical and mechanica l characterisation of YBCO samples obtained with Temporary-Liquid-Dens ification Melt Growth (TLDMG). Ba2YCu3O7-z+ 50% excess BaY2CuO5 pellet s were prepared from different Ba-Y-Cu-O system phases, suitable to pr oduce during the heat treatment temporary liquids at temperatures lowe r than 1000 degrees C. A mechanical characterisation was performed in zero-field-cooling and field-cooling condition, showing hysteretic beh aviour and creep of the levitation force. Measurements of magnetic hys teresis cycles in low fields and a.c. susceptibility were also perform ed. Some mechanical applications (high-speed electric motor and flywhe el energy accumulator) were built and tested. The work now proceeds on two new industrial applications of melt-processed HTSC materials.