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

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.