Abstract
High-performance and low-cost composites are engineers’ dream for technological applications. To fulfill the material for an engineering application, it is important to understand the mechanical properties of the material. The primary goal of this research is to investigate the impact of nano-sized Yttrium iron garnet (Y3Fe5O12) addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the polycrystalline Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ (CuTl-1223) superconductor. Co-precipitation and solid-state reaction methods were utilized to prepare Y3Fe5O12 nanoparticles and Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ superconductor, respectively. (Y3Fe5O12)x/Cu0.5Tl0.5Ba2Ca2Cu3O10-δ nanoparticle/superconductor composites were formed by adding small contents of Y3Fe5O12 (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10 wt%) to the CuTl-1223 matrix. The volume fraction percentage of the main phase, CuTl-1223, was increased from 87.9 to 91.4% as x was adjusted from 0.00 to 0.04 wt%. The unit cell parameters (a and c) remained unchanged following the addition of Y3Fe5O12 nanoparticles to the host CuTl-1223. The porosity percentage (P %) was decreased from 39.1 to 29.4% as x was increased from 0.00 to 0.10 wt%. Thus, the addition of Y3Fe5O12 nanoparticles has the ability to reduce weak links and voids among the CuTl-1223 superconducting grains. The grain morphology for the prepared composites was identified through scanning electron microscopy. The different elemental compositions were detected by energy-dispersive X-ray measurements. Vickers microindentation hardness test was employed to study the mechanical strength of the prepared composites. Analysis and modelling of Vickers hardness (Hv) versus test load (F) were done through various models. Meyer’s empirical law showed that all the prepared composites follow normal indentation size effect behaviour. Hays and Kendall model clarified that the applied test load was sufficient to produce both elastic and plastic deformation for the investigated samples. The elastic/plastic deformation model indicated that the prepared samples contain an elastic relaxation portion that recovers after withdrawing the test load. The proportional sample resistance and modified proportional sample resistance models confirmed the HK model findings. Moreover, the HK model was found to be the most suitable model for describing the microhardness results of the prepared samples. Furthermore, the elastic modulus (E), yield strength (Y), fracture toughness (K) and brittleness index (B) for the prepared composites were calculated as function of Y3Fe5O12 addition.
Highlights
High-temperature superconductors (HTS) have been reliably utilized in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), magnetoencephalography (MEG) and magnetocardiography (MCG) for both analysis of magnetic activity of different regions of the human body such as brain and heart wave activities and very early diagnosis of several diseases [2]
The results indicated that adding nano-SnO2 up to 1.0 wt% improved the mechanical characteristics of CuTl-1223, whereas just a little amount of nano-In2O3, x = 0.1 wt%, increased the phase's Vickers hardness
The crystal structure of the host CuTl-1223 superconducting matrix was not affected with the addition of Y3Fe5O12 nanoparticles
Summary
A high superconducting transition temperature, Tc, is usually the first sign of progress in the quest for a new superconductor. Superconductor-based products, in comparison to their traditional counterparts, are environmentally friendly. They are often at least 50% smaller and lighter than comparable conventional units, which translate to cost savings. High-temperature superconductors (HTS) have a wide range of very sensitive and reliable advanced technological applications such as in vivo live body measurements in medicine, terahertz equipment for security systems, quantum bit applications in quantum computers and bolometers for some space research. One of the most important usages of HTS materials is the use of superconducting cables in high voltage transmission lines. HTS tapes for power transmission cables must be manufactured in a sufficient length to accommodate the requisite length of cable core to be placed
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