Effect of Ag on the melt processed GdBa2Cu3Oy/Gd2BaCuO5 composites

The effect of Ag addition on the microstructural and critical current densi ties of melt processed GdBa2Cu3Oy/Gd2BaCuO5 (Gd-123/211) composites as comp ared to the sample without Ag are studied. Ag is found to refine Gd-211 par ticles to some extent. The addition of Ag resulted in a non-uniform distrib ution of Gd-211 in the Gd-123 matrix. The width of the platelets and gap wi dth was found to decrease with Ag addition. Coarse Ag particles were observ ed to associate with Gd-211 free regions. The role of Ag was found to be di fferent compared to that of Gd-211 particles in modifying the microstructur e of the composites. The presence of Ag reduced the normal state resistivit y, and marginally increased the critical current density of the material. ( C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.