Melt growth and superconducting properties of textured Ag-YBa2Cu3O7 conductors

Textured Ag foils 200 mu m thick have been obtained after cold rolling and recrystallization at 800 degrees C with a reduction ratio of up to 95 %. Su bsequently, a thick layer of YBa2Cu3O7 (20 mu m) has been deposited by scre en printing. A directional solidification process under a temperature gradi ent with displacement velocity between 1 mm/h and 10 mm/h has been performe d to induce a biaxial texture to the superconducting layer. This last treat ment has been performed at low PO2 atmosphere and at maximum temperatures b elow 945 degrees C. The texture of the layers has been studied by x-ray dif fraction, rocking curves and pole figures, whilst the critical currents hav e been measured inductively by SQUID magnetometry. The relationship between the in-plane crystalline orientation and the observed critical currents ha s been discussed.