A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF MICROSTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT CRITICAL-CURRENT IN COLD-ROLLED, COLD UNIAXIALLY PRESSED AND LOW-LOAD HOT UNIAXIALLY PRESSED AG-(BI,PB)(2)SR2CA2CU3OX TAPE

The microstructure and transport critical current of cold rolled, cold uniaxially pressed, and low load hot uniaxially pressed Ag-(Bi,Pb)(2) Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tape has been investigated. The transverse and longitudina l transport current measurements show strong correlation with morpholo gical non-uniformities induced by the cold deformation processes. The aim of low load hot uniaxial pressing is to increase the density of th e ceramic core and reduce the anisotropic nature of the critical curre nt induced during the cold deformation processes. The deformation mech anisms of the silver and ceramic core when under load have been studie d, and a deformation mechanism map has been constructed. Experimental investigation of the low load region over a range of temperatures has been carried out.