Thermobaric Effect on Melt-Textured MBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ (M = Y, Nd)

TL;DR

This study investigates how short-term thermobaric treatment under high pressure and temperature conditions can enhance the structural, superconductive, and mechanical properties of melt-textured MBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ (M=Y, Nd) superconductors.

Contribution

It identifies specific pressure-temperature-time conditions that preserve or improve superconductivity and mechanical strength in melt-textured superconductors through thermobaric treatment.

Findings

Superconductive properties can be preserved or enhanced under certain thermobaric conditions.

Mechanical characteristics of the materials are increased after treatment.

Materials become more condensed following thermobaric processing.

Abstract

The effect of a short (10-30 min) thermobaric action (in the 1-5 GPa pressure and 700-1300$^\circ$C temperature range) on the structure, superconductive and mechanical properties of melt-textured-MBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{7-\delta}$ (M=Y, Nd) or MT-MBCO have been studied. The existence has been established of pressure-temperature--time conditions (2 GPa, 800$^\circ$C for 30 min and 900-950$^\circ$C for 15 min for MT-YBCO; 5 GPa, 850-900$^\circ$C for 15 min for MT-NdBCO) the treatment under which allows superconductive properties of the materials (because of the contact with zirconia and high pressure) to be preserved or improved, mechanical characteristics increased and the materials condensed.