Rejoining of single grain melt textured bulk YBa2Cu3O7-X

The possibility of joining single grains of RE123 materials considerably en hances the applicability of bulk materials with respect to large scale appl ications. High quality superconducting joints produced via an infiltration method have been fabricated and studied. Using a wafering diamond saw, indi vidual 200 mu m wide slots were cut into single grains of melt textured Y12 3 and the gaps were then filled with a mixture of Y2O3 and BaCO powders. A pressed pellet consisting of mixed Er123, BaCuO and CuO powders is then pla ced over the slots. The two regions were then rejoined by allowing molten p hases to be absorbed into the powder. This process takes place at a tempera ture below the peritectic of Y123 and thus the crystal structure of the ori ginal bulk remains relatively unchanged. The newly formed Er/Y123 material displays the same orientation as the original grain. Also we have shown tha t in general the Y211 inclusions are smaller in the rejoined region than in the surrounding bulk. Microstructural and compositional data are presented and discussed.