METALLIC ALLOYS SUITABLE FOR YBCO MELT-TEXTURING AT LOW-TEMPERATURE

Ag-Au-Pd alloys, having a gradient in the concentration of the element s (called diffusion alloys), were investigated in order to find homoge neous alloys suitable for melt-processing of YBCO superconductor. Inte rface aspects between the superconductor and diffusion alloys and comp osition profiles of the diffusion alloys after melt texturing are pres ented. The results obtained with the diffusion alloy led to the develo pment of new ternary homogeneous Ag-Au-Pd alloys of composition (at %) Ag-(18-23)Au-(2-10) Pd. The interface between homogeneous alloys and the YBCO superconductor after melt-processing was characterized and th e resistivity-temperature curve obtained with electrical contacts on t he metallic part of the composite is shown.