The Influence of Synthesis Parameters on Microstructures and Superconducting Properties of MgB2 Bulks

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a rapid synthesis method for high-performance MgB2 superconducting bulks using short-duration ball-milling and annealing, linking synthesis parameters with microstructure and superconducting properties.

Contribution

It introduces a quick, efficient synthesis process for MgB2 bulks that achieves high critical current density and improved flux pinning, with detailed microstructural analysis.

Findings

Achieved high Jc of approximately 1.7×10^6 A/cm^2 at 15K and 0.59T.

Small grain size correlates with enhanced flux pinning.

Rapid synthesis method reduces processing time compared to traditional techniques.

Abstract

We succeeded in the synthesis of high-Jc MgB2 bulks via high energy ball-milling of elemental Mg and B powder at ambient temperatures. Alternatively to longtime mechanical alloying technique, the mixed powder was ball-milled for only 1h and the completed reaction is achieved by subsequent annealing. The correlations among synthesis parameters, microstructures and superconducting properties in MgB2 bulks were investigated. Samples were characterized by XRD and SEM, and the magnetization properties were examined in a SQUID magnetometer. The high- Jc, approximately 1.7*106A/cm2(15K, 0.59T), and improved flux pinning were attribute to a large number of grain boundaries provided by small grain size.