High critical current density in grain-oriented bulk YBa2Cu3O<i>x</i> processed by partial melt growth

Abstract

A uniform grain-oriented microstructure was developed in 50-mm-long bar samples of bulk YBa2Cu3Ox prepared by a partial melt growth process. In sharp contrast to previous reports, the textured products contained only small amounts of second phases. The samples were dense and nearly free of porosity. Transport measurements showed that the textured samples could carry a critical current density greater than 4.4×104 A/cm2 at 77 K and 1.8 T. The possible effects of processing parameters on the superconducting properties of the tested materials are discussed.