PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH-TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITE-MATERIALS [YBA2CU3O7-X HDPE]

Composite samples of YBa2CuO7-x and high density polyethylene (Y-123/H DPE) prepared by mixing both materials, melting the polymer followed b y hot pressing display improving flexibility but reduced magnetic prop erties with increasing polymer content. SEM, XRD, and magnetic suscept ibility studies were carried out. SEM data show isolated grains of the superconductor coated and linked by polymer. A four phase system for the composite materials may be inferred from a combination of XRD and density data. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate a single transitio n at almost-equal-to 91K consistent with isolated grains. Potential ap plications in the areas of shielding and levitation are discussed.