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The anisotropic morphology of silver particles in Y-123/Y-24Nb1/Ag nanocomposite bulk high-temperature superconductors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

S.K. Pathak ,
N.H. Babu ,
Y.H. Shi ,
A.R. Dennis ,
M. Strasik  and
D.A. Cardwell
S.K. Pathak*
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 IPZ, United Kingdom
N.H. Babu
Affiliation:
Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST), Brunel University, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
A.R. Dennis
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 IPZ, United Kingdom
M. Strasik
Affiliation:
The Boeing Company, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207
D.A. Cardwell
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 IPZ, United Kingdom
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: skp33@cam.ac.uk
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Abstract

Y2Ba4CuNbO12 (Y-24Nb1) and silver (Ag) are recognized as potential candidates for improving both flux pinning and the mechanical properties of bulk rare earth (RE)–Ba–Cu–O [(RE)BCO] high-temperature superconductors (HTS). Recent attempts to add Ag2O to superconducting Y-123/Y2Ba4CuNbO12 composites, however, have produced a highly anisotropic morphology of Ag particles in samples grown by top-seeded melt growth (TSMG). This morphology has been attributed to strong particle pushing effects due to the presence of Y-24Nb1 nanoparticles in the composite microstructure. An investigation of the formation of anisotropic Ag particles in the YBCO bulk microstructure indicates that these pushing effects generate different morphological microstructural zones in the composite. These include a zone free of inclusions other than acicular Ag particles, a zone of segregated additives (i.e., Y-24Nb1, Y-211, and Ag), and a zone containing fine Ag and other particles distributed uniformly throughout the local microstructure. The particle pushing/trapping theory has been used to explain these extraordinary features of the distribution of Ag inclusions. The superconducting and mechanical properties of samples containing very fine silver inclusions are also discussed briefly.

Keywords

MorphologySuperconductingToughness
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 25 , Issue 7 , July 2010 , pp. 1243 - 1250
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2010

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