LOW-TEMPERATURE MELT PROCESS OF SMBA2CU3O7-Y USING A LIQUID INFILTRATION TECHNIQUE

SmBa2Cu3O7-y (Sm123) was made by a liquid infiltration technique using isothermal peritectic reaction below the peritectic temperature (T-p = 1060 degrees C) of SmBaCuO. By heating and isothermal holding, the c oupled Ba3Cu5O8/Sm2BaCuO5 (Sm211) powder compacts in the temperature r ange of 900 degrees C-1050 degrees C in air, the Ba3Cu5O8 powder melts and is then infiltrated into the Sm211 compacted powder. The infiltra ted liquid phase reacts with the Sm211 phase to form a textured Sm123 structure. The microstructure and the superconducting properties of th e samples are reported. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese rved.