High Density Bulk Shape Rapid Consolidation of the Yba2Cu307-X Superconductor

Abstract

AbstractA novel rapid densification technique for fabrication of bulk shape YBa2Cu307–xsuperconductor is presented. The Ceracon process is a one‐step, quasi‐isostatic consolidation route utilizing conventional P/M equipment and set‐up. The Ceracon technology has enabled successful fabrication of bulk, shapes such as discs, cylinders, hollow cylinders and spheres along with significant increases in the density up to 95‐98% of the theorertical. The superconducting volume fraction is preserved due to short hold times at the operating temperatures and avoidance of high processing temperatures. Results based on densities, microstructure, susceptibility measurements, X‐ray diffraction patterns and TGA measurements are discussed.