Microstructure and growth of joins in melt-textured YBa2Cu3O7-delta

Joining of melt-textured YBa2Cu3O7-delta (Y123) grains has been achieved wi thout use of an external agent. The technique uses barium-cuprate liquid ph ase released from platelet boundaries to mediate the growth of Y123 at the interface between two grains. The epitaxial nature and high quality of the growth was determined by optical and transmission electron microscopy. The composition of Ba-Cu-O phases found in some parts of the joins was determin ed by electron probe microanalysis. A clean low-angle join was found to con sist of a grain boundary with dislocation networks and facets. Transport cr itical current measurements on this type of join revealed strongly coupled behavior. The technique shows promise for the joining of melt-textured mate rial for power engineering applications.