ELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF Y-1-2-3 SILVER COMPOSITES

A series of Y-1-2-3/Ag high T(c) superconducting composites have been prepared using the sol-gel method by sintering at three different sint ering temperatures, viz. 910-degrees-C, 945-degrees-C, and 975-degrees -C. After the usual characterization by XRD, electrical resistance, bu lk density, and porosity measurements, the longitudinal (V1) and shear wave (V(s)) velocities were measured by the pulse transmission techni que. Using the experimental data, several elasticity parameters such a s Young's modulus (E), rigidity modulus (G), etc. were evaluated. The variation of elastic constants with dopant concentration has been expl ained in terms of the binding forces between various atoms of the supe rconductor. A linear relationship between the superconducting transiti on temperature (T(c)) and the Debye temperature (theta(D)) has also be en obtained.