FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATIONS OF HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTING CERAMIC POLYMER 0-3 COMPOSITES

High-T(c) superconducting ceramic YBa2Cu3O7-x/thermosetting plastic 0- 3 composites were fabricated. The structure, physical property, magnet ic susceptibility, levitation, and mechanical strength of the composit es were accessed. The influence of filler content on these properties was also studied. Although the 0-3 composites lack an electrical super conducting path through materials, the intrinsic diamagnetic propertie s were preserved. The magnetic superconducting transition temperature was not degraded. The values of magnetic susceptibility and levitation force for the composites were basically proportional to the actual vo lume fraction of superconducting filler. These new composite materials are most suitable for the applications in levitating vehicles and mec hanical bearings.