Shape-forming and densification of ceramic superconductors

Abstract

Processing studies on varied shape-forming and densification of bulk ceramic superconductor, YBa2Cu3O7-delta, are reported in this paper. Polyvinyl butyral-polyethylene glycol-trichloroethylene has been found to be the best binder-plasticizer-solvent system in plastic shape-forming. The effect of initial particle morphology on final densification has been the most sensitive single parameter as compared to compaction pressure and final sintering durations at approximately 930-degrees-C. 1-2-3 powders of mean particle size approximately 1.94-mu-m have yielded sintered densities approximately 92% T.D. albeit with lower oxygen intake O6.7.