EFFECT OF SM2BACUO5 ADDITION ON THE PROPERTIES OF MELT-PROCESSED SMBA2CU3OY

Melt processing of SmBa2Cu3Oy (Sm-123) is done in argon atmosphere by the solid liquid melt growth (SLMG) route, with increasing concentrati on of insulating Sm2BaCuO5 (Sm-211) content. The effects of Sm-211 on the microstructure and on the behaviour of current density (J(c)) in h igh magnetic fields, are discussed. It is observed that as the Sm-211 concentration is increased, the morphology of the trapped 211s change from acicular having a high aspect ratio to nearly spherical. The J(c) increases for low additions of 211, but for high concentrations, the J(c) drops drastically. The above data is explained on the basis of pi nning from the 211 particles and the matrix. (C) 1998 Published by Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.