PROCESSING TECHNIQUE FOR FABRICATION OF ADVANCED YBCO BULK MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

We present a processing technique for fabrication of advanced semi-fin ished parts and products based on the high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO). High-quality YBCO bulk components are produ ced powder metallurgically by sintering and partial melting of precurs or powders. Depending on size, shape, tolerances and levitation requir ements, parts are either die-pressed or precision machined from isosta tically pressed blocks, The oxygenation process can be monitored in-si tu by a macro-thermogravimetric analyzer. The texture of the bulk of f ull-size pellets was verified by elastic neutron scattering, Levitatio n properties under static and dynamic load levels were analyzed using a test bench with a three dimensional force sensor unit, Flux mapping was used to verify the homogeneity of the material, to evaluate macros copic critical currents and to investigate the field trapping capabili ty, Several HTSC frictionless bearing modules have been built, They ar e manufactured in various sizes, ranging from PI 40 mm to PI 140 mm, L ifting forces are up to 200 N per bearing module, Applications for the bearings are seen for mechanical components in high speed rotating ma chinery, in cryogenic systems, gyroscopes, transportation systems and vibration isolation.