YBA2CU3O7-X AG COMPOSITE FILMS LAYERED ON STAINLESS-STEEL BY SEDIMENTATION/

An original method of superconductor preparation is described. It invo lves special surface preparations of the metal support, powder sedimen tation, pressing and sintering. Typical 90 mum thick coatings with 20% Ag exhibit high adherence to the rough substrate, and the diffusion d epth of metallic elements into the coating is less than 10 mum. Compar ison is made with pure YBa2Cu3O7-x coatings: silver addition improves the electrical and mechanical properties. As shown by in situ high-tem perature x-ray diffractometry, Ag accommodates mechanical stresses ind uced by temperature variation during preparation, more particularly on cooling.