Thermobaric effect on melt-textured MBa2Cu3O7-δ (M = Y, Nd)

The effect of a short (10-30 min) thermobaric action tin the 1-5 GPa pressure and 700-1300 degrees C temperature range) on the structure, superconductive and mechanical properties of melt-textured MBa2Cu3O7-delta (M = Y, Nd) or MT-MBCO has been studied. The existence has been established of pressure-temperature-time conditions (2 GPa, 800 degrees C for 30 min and 900-950 degrees C for 15 min for MT-YBCO; 5 GPa, 850-900 degrees C for 15 min for MT-NdBCO) the treatment under which allows superconductive properties of the materials (because of the contact with zirconia and high pressure) to be preserved or improved, mechanical characteristics increased and the materials condensed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.