Effect of Ag-particulate addition on processing, microstructure, and properties of MgO-whisker-reinforced bulk BPSCCO high-Tc superconductor composites

Abstract

In associated papers [Y. S. Yuan, M. S. Wong, and S. S. Wang, J. Mater. Res. 11, 8–17 (1996); J. Mater. Res. (1996, in press)] it has been shown that weak thermo-mechanical properties of a bulk monolithic high-Tc superconductor (HTS) can be improved by introducing strong ceramic whiskers into the HTS ceramic materials. In this paper, we report a further study of incorporating Ag particulates, (Ag)p, in a bulk monolithic BPSCCO and in the MgO-whisker reinforced BPSCCO composite. Effects of the (Ag)p addition on processing, microstructure, and superconducting and mechanical properties of the bulk monolithic BPSCCO and the (MgO)w/BPSCCO composite are investigated. The results indicate that the highly ductile Ag particulates promote densification of the BPSCCO matrix phase in the composite during hot pressing. The microstructure of the HTS composite with the (Ag)p addition is similar to that in the HTS material without the (Ag)p. The (MgO)w/BPSCCO composite with 10% (by weight) Ag particulates has been shown to possess excellent superconducting properties. The (Ag)p addition to both the monolithic BPSCCO and the (MgO)w/BPSCCO is found to increase appreciably their fracture toughnesses, but has little effects on mechanical strengths of the materials. Quantitative relationships have been established among solid-state processing variables, HTS phase developments, microstructures, and superconducting and mechanical properties of the (Ag)p/BPSCCO and the (MgO)w/(Ag)p/BPSCCO HTS composites.