Melt texturing of NdBa < inf > 2 < /inf > Cu < inf > 3 < /inf > O < inf > 7-δ < /inf > -Nd < inf > 4 < /inf > Ba < inf > 2 < /inf > Cu < inf > 2 < /inf > O < inf > 10 < /inf > superconductor in short time

Abstract

We have melt processed NdBa2Cu3O7-δ-Nd4Ba 2Cu2O10 (NdBCO) superconducting composites with various rates of cooling through their peritectic formation temperature. The microstructural studies reveal that the sample processed even with 40°C/h rate of cooling is built up with aligned microstructure which is necessary for superior transport current and magnetic properties. In the case of YBa2CU3O7-δ, 1°C/h rate of cooling is necessary to get highly textured microstructure. Magnetic flux profile measurements reveal that even though the intradomain region is well textured and had good transport and magnetic properties, the interdomain region is relatively weak in the fast cooled sample in comparison with slow cooled ones but is much better than that in polycrystalline samples. The results suggest that, the NdBCO superconductor can be melt processed in short time with much better microstructural features in comparison with YBCO system.