STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY OF BULK HIGH-T-C SUPERCONDUCTORS

Strength, fracture toughness, and elastic modulus data for bulk high-t emperature superconductors, commercial 99.9% Ag, and a 1.2 at.% Mg/Ag alloy have been collected These data have been used to calculate fract ure strains for bulk conductors. The calculations indicate that the su perconducting cores of clad tapes should begin to fracture at strains below 0.2%. In addition, residual strains in Ag-clad (Bi,Pb)(2)Sr2Ca2C u3Ox tapes have been measured by neutron diffraction. An explanation i s offered for why many tapes appear to be able to tolerate large strai ns before exhibiting a reduction in current transport.