Composites of superconducting YBa 2Cu 3O 7− y with silver

Abstract

In order to achieve better fabricability of the otherwise brittle ceramic superconductor YBa 2Cu 3O 7− y , we have formed composites of this superconductor with metals such as Ag, Cu and Al. It is found that up to 50 wt.% of silver can be added to YBa 2Cu 3O 7− y without degradation of its superconducting transition temperature. Such composites, sintered at about 850°C, can be easily rolled in the form of strips. Superconductivity with nearly the same T c as in the parent compound is retained in the composites even after cold working, thus obviating the need to regenerate superconductivity by heat treatment. The superconducting properties of YBa 2Cu 3O 7− y , however, degrade when composites are formed with Cu and Al.