Peritectic decomposition of the metal oxide YBa2Cu3Ox

The existing data on the mechanism of peritectic decomposition of the metal oxide YBa2Cu3Ox are ambiguous. This process cannot be studied without quit e sensitive methods of phase analysis and allowance for its dependence on t he partial pressure of oxygen p (O-2) in the gas phase. The methods of x-ra y diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and local electron-probe an d thermal analyses are used to study the transformations in heating YBa2Cu3 Ox, above 900 degrees C in air and in vacuum at a residual pressure p (O-2) = 700 Pa.