EFFECT OF SILVER ADDITION ON THE PROCESSING OF TL0.5PB0.5SR2CACU2O7-DELTA

The effect of silver additions, to bulk Tl0.5Pb0.5Sr2CaCu2O7-delta-Agx (x = 0.0, 0.008, 0.016, 0.1, 0.37 and 1.0) superconductor, on microst ructure and electrical properties were studied. A eutectic-like reacti on between (Tl-1212 + Ag) was observed. In the case of x = 0.37, liqui d phase was formed at 830 degrees C resulting in enhanced densificatio n and grain growth. Changes in T-c with silver content were observed, but the presence of silver does not cause any change in the intragranu lar J(c) values, which was on the order of 10(6) A/cm(2) at 40 K in se lf held. Films of the compound were also prepared by a plasma vapor de position-post thalliation method, which produces pure phase and nearly full 00l orientation. The degree of orientation decreases as film thi ckness increases.