Abstract
YBaCuO and GdBaCuO + 15 wt% Ag large, single-grain, bulk superconductors have been fabricated via the top-seeded, melt-growth (TSMG) process using a generic NdBCO seed. The mechanical behavior of both materials has been investigated by means of three-point bending (TPB) and transversal tensile tests at 77 and 300 K. The strength, fracture toughness and hardness of the samples were studied for two directions of applied load to obtain comprehensive information about the effect of microstructural anisotropy on the macroscopic and microscopic mechanical properties of these technologically important materials. Splitting (Brazilian) tests were carried out on as-melt-processed cylindrical samples following a standard oxygenation process and with the load applied parallel to the growth-facet lines characteristic of the TSMG process. In addition, the elastic modulus of each material was measured by three different techniques and related to the microstructure of each sample using optical microscopy. The results show that both the mechanical properties and the elastic modulus of both YBCO and GdBCP/Ag are improved at 77 K. However, the GdBCO/Ag samples are less anisotropic and exhibit better mechanical behavior due to the presence of silver particles in the bulk, superconducting matrix. The splitting tensile strength was determined at 77 K and both materials were found to exhibit similar behavior, independently of their differences in microstructure.
Highlights
Bulk, melt-processed high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials exhibit enhanced magnetic properties compared to conventional permanent magnets due primarily to their ability to trap large magnetic fields at temperatures that can be achieved using commercially available, cryo-cooler technology
The microstructure of both materials was studied to investigate the presence of different phases and associated characteristics that can affect the mechanical behavior of the samples
The mechanics of single-grain, bulk YBCO and GdBCO + 15 wt% Ag fabricated by top seeded melt growth have been studied for two directions of applied load at 77 and 300 K
Summary
Melt-processed high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials exhibit enhanced magnetic properties compared to conventional permanent magnets due primarily to their ability to trap large magnetic fields at temperatures that can be achieved using commercially available, cryo-cooler technology. This ability makes bulk HTS, such as (RE)BCO (where RE is a rare-earth element) attractive for a variety of largescale applications, including bulk magnets, flywheel energy storage systems, magnetic bearings, magnetic separators and fault current limiters [1, 2].
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