Melt processing of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-partial derivative thick films on AgPd substrates via atmosphere control

Superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-partial derivative (123) c-axis textured thick fi lms have been prepared on AgPd substrates by a modified screen printing and melt processing method. Heating the samples in an inert gas (N-2) has enab led melt processing to take place at lower temperatures than conventional Y BCO thick film processing in O-2. The atmosphere is switched to p(O-2) = 10 0% at peak temperature in order to initiate the crystallisation of the 123 phase. Variation in properties of the films with changes in the peak proces sing temperature has been investigated. Samples processed at peak temperatu res of greater than or equal to 980 degreesC show better microstructures an d superconducting properties than those processed at lower temperatures. Qu enching experiments have also been performed in order to investigate furthe r the phase relationships and crystallisation mechanism of the 123 phase. ( C) 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers.