Trapped fields larger than 11 T in bulk YBa2Cu3O7-x material

Bulk YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) material with single-domain grains up to 35 mm in d iameter was prepared by a modified melt-texture process. Trapped fields of 1.1 T at 77 K and of 9 T at 43 K were obtained, in zinc doped YBCO material showing a pronounced peak effect in the field dependence of the critical c urrent density. Very high trapped fields up to 11.4 T have been achieved at 17 K in YBCO material with improved mechanical properties. The tensile str ength of this material was enhanced by the addition of silver. Additionally , a stainless steel tubes was used in order to strengthen the sample agains t the magnetic tensile stresses. For application of YBCO samples in superco nducting magnetic bearings, it is difficult to magnetize me superconductor to the maximum storable field. We present results on magnetizing the YBCO s amples by applying pulsed magnetic fields.