Characterization of the Elastic Properties of Bi2223/Ag/Ag Alloy Composite Tapes by the Generalized Self-Consistent Approach

The characterization of the elastic properties of whole Bi2223/Ag/Ag alloy composite tapes is a very important issue, even when these properties of each constituent are known. In this paper, the generalized self-consistent approach is used for predicting the elastic properties of inner core (Bi2223 filaments combined with Ag matrix), and the mixture rule for those of the whole composite tape (the inner core sheathed with Ag alloy). Compared with the simple estimation of the mixture rule, the prediction of the generalized self-consistent approach is not only physically rational, but also is much more accurate. Further, the theoretical prediction agreed well with the measured data. Hopefully, the generalized self-consistent approach can be adopted to predict the elastic properties of other superconducting composite structures.     

Field and temperature dependence of the current-voltage characteristics of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10/Ag multifilamentary tapes

The current-voltage characteristics of Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O₁₀/Ag multifilamentary tapes were measured at different temperatures close to the critical temperature and in different applied magnetic fields up to 1000 Oe. The data were interpreted in terms of thermally activated flux creep by using an intermediate phenomenological model that takes into account the collective pinning. Temperature and field dependences of the pinning potential and of the collective pinning exponent were determined through numerical analysis.     

Microstructure, Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Ag/Bi2Sr2CaCu2O x Self-lubricating Composites

Ag/Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O _x self-lubricating composites were successfully fabricated by a facile powder metallurgy method. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized composites and the worn surface after tribometer testing are characterized by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy together with energy dispersive spectrometry. The results indicated that self-lubricating composites are composed of superconductor phase and Ag phase. Moreover, the effects of Ag on mechanical and tribological properties of the novel composites were investigated. The friction test results showed that the friction coefficient of the pure Bi2212 against stainless steel is about 0.40 at ambient temperature and abruptly decreases to about 0.17 when the temperature is cooled to 77 K. The friction coefficients of the composites from room temperature to high temperature were lower and more stable than those of pure Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O _x . When the content of Ag is 10 wt.%, the Ag/Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O _x composites exhibited excellent tribological performance, the improved tribological properties are attributed to the formation of soft metallic Ag films at the contacted zone of the composites.     

Hall effect and thermoelectric studies on Pb and Ag-doped Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O x superconductors

Hall effect and thermoelectric power measurements at room temperature in the magnetic field of 18 kOe on Ag- and Pb-doped Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O _x samples indicate that the density of charge carriers decreases with increase in Ag concentration whereas the reverse is observed with Pb. From the reduced scattering factor, it is assumed that the scattering of the charge carriers occurs due to acoustic phonons in the normal state at room temperature.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies in the oxides Bi2Sr2Ca1−x Gd x Cu2O y

We have recently reported our results on magnetic susceptibility and microwave absorption studies on Bi₂Sr₂Ca_1−x Gd _x Cu₂O _y and Bi₂Sr₂Ca_1−x Y _x Cu₂O _y . In the present work two important observations of these investigation, viz, the dependence ofT _c on Gdconcentration and the absence of EPR-signals of Gd and Cu, are considered in greater detail. It is suggested that the microwave absorption by fluxon lattice might be playing one of the important and effective pathways for electron spin relaxation resulting in nonobservation of EPR signals.     

Effect of Nd-Substitution on Thermally Activated Flux Creep in the Bi1.7Pb0.3−x Nd x Sr2Ca3Cu4O12+y Superconductors

The magnetoresistance of Bi_1.7Pb_0.3?x Nd _x Sr₂Ca₃Cu₄O_12+y superconductors with x=0.025, 0.050, 0.075 and 0.10 have been measured for different values of the applied magnetic field. Thermally activated flux creep model has been studied in order to calculate the flux pinning energies. The calculated flux pinning energies decrease with the increasing Nd-content and applied magnetic field.     

Characterization and properties of antimony doped Bi1.6Pb0.3Sr2Ca3Cu4O x ceramics

The influence of Sb₂O₃ dopant on the superconductivity and the phase formation of the Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system was studied using differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a.c. susceptibility and resistance measurements. It was found that the solubility of Sb³⁺ in the 110 K superconducting phase is limited; instead Sb³⁺ readily combines with other elements to form one or more unknown second phase(s), which melt at lower temperatures and accelerates the formation of the 110 K phase. Resistance measurements show the transition initiation temperature of the 110 K superconducting phase is unchanged but thatT _c (zero) was found to decrease from 107 K to 98 K. TEM examination generating lattice images from antimony-doped crystals, showed the structure to be inhomogeneous and to contain many defects.     

Growth and characterization of Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8+x single crystals

High-quality single crystals are well suited to the investigation of some intrinsic material properties. A modified Bridgman method using a sharp temperature gradient (～300°C/cm) was used to grow Bi₂Sr₂Ca₁Cu₂O_8+x single crystals. Although the samples were contained in alumina ampoules, no aluminium contamination of the samples was detected. Blade-shaped crystals up to ～7–8 mm length and 3–4 mm width could be grown by this method, although extraction from the matrix was difficult. Electron diffraction patterns of the [001] zone axis revealed a high degree of crystallinity. The narrowness of the superconducting transition temperature, as determined by ac susceptibility, also suggests the existence of well-formed crystalline domains. In order to determine the relative orientation of the crystalline domains, electron channeling patterns were recorded from several consecutive growth steps from a fracture surface. The poor contrast of these and Kikuchi patterns suggests the presence of a stacking structure. The results showed a [100] growth direction and (001) cleavage plane. Reversible oxygen loss at the peritectic decomposition temperature of 863°C was observed. Knoop indentation measurements showed that the crystals were quite soft, having a microhardness of 0.44 GPa.     

Effect of annealing and quenching on superconductivity in Pb and Sb-doped Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O x

Samples of the series Bi_1·9−x Pb _x Sb_0·1Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O _y withx=0, 0·1, 0·2, 0·3 and 0·4 were prepared by the solid-state route. The X-ray and d.c. electrical resistivity data on furnace-cooled and quenched samples are presented. Though the starting composition is 2223, the end products were multiphase with 4334 as the major phase. A superconducting transition withT _c=100K was observed in the pure 2223 sample after quenching. The furnace-cooled samples were metallic, while samples withx=0·1, 0·2 and 0·3 were superconducting after quenching. The amount of the 4334 phase decreases with increasing Pb content. Quenching seems to be favourable for the formation of the 4334 phase.     

Oscillating magnetoresistance of (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O x ceramics doped with Mn

The magnetoresistance nearT _c(T _cR=0=100 K) has been measured on ceramic samples of (Bi, Pb)₂Sr₂Ca₂(Cu_0.98Mn_0.02)₃O_x (X-Ray diffractions and measurements by a SQUID magnetometer give almost single 2223 phase) in magnetic fields, up to 60 kOe using a dc four-probe technique. We observed periodic oscillations superimposed on a monotonie growth of the magnetoresistance with the amplitude decreasing with increase in magnetic field. Fourier transforms of the magnetoresistance data gives two sharply pronounced periods, 10.7 and 14.7 kOe. Apparently these oscillations are connected with inhomogeneous distributions of Mn in superconducting grains with phase slippage at grain boundaries.     

Functional characteristics of Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 + δ/ZrN composites

We present the results of investigation of the magnetic, transport, structural, and mechanical properties of composites obtained by introducing finely dispersed zirconium nitride into a matrix of a Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_{10 + δ} (Bi2223) high-temperature superconductor. It is established that the introduction of ZrN particles in the range of very small concentrations (0.1–0.3 wt %) leads to a significant (more than threefold) increase in the critical current density of Bi2223 and increases the density of the composite, while the microhardness of the superconducting phase remains unchanged.     

Preparation and critical current density of hot pressed Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox/Ag tapes

Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox(Bi-2223)/Ag tapes have been prepared by hot pressing performed at 800–840 °C for 12–96 h under 6 or 12 MPa in air. The highest transport critical current density, Jc, is 3900 A cm–2 at 77 K and 8800 A cm–2 at 65 K under zero magnetic field, which is observed in tape hot pressed at 820 °C under 12 MPa for 24 h twice. The tape has undergone a cold pressing under 260 MPa between hot pressings. Jc is limited to 120 A cm–2 in tape hot pressed for 48 h continuously, in spite of total hot pressing time, temperature and pressure all being the same as for tape hot pressed for 24 h twice. It is found that alternate hot pressing and cold pressing is effective in the preparation of Bi-2223 tapes with high Jc, which is determined by the strength of grain coupling. Grain coupling is strengthened in tape hot pressed with an intermediate cold pressing. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Preparation and Properties of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O y Coatings on Sr–Ca–Cu–O Substrates

Bi-2212 coatings on Sr_{1 – x} Ca _x CuO₂ (x = 0, 0.5) and Sr_{14 – x} Ca _x Cu₂₄O₄₁ (x = 0, 5) substrates were prepared by partial melting at 890 and 950°C. The effects of the partial-melting temperature and the temperature and duration of subsequent heat treatment in air on the phase composition of the coatings and substrates and the electrical resistance and superconducting transition temperature of Bi-2212 were studied. After partial melting and heat treatment, the T _c(R = 0) of Bi-2212 attained 85–86 K. Sr_{1 – x} Ca _x CuO₂ and Sr_{14 – x} Ca _x Cu₂₄O₄₁ substrates caused no degradation of the superconducting properties of Bi-2212, in contrast to Al₂O₃, and ensured a higher thermal shock resistance of Bi-2212.     

Formation of high-T c Bi1.6Pb0.4Sr2Ca2(Cu0.9Ti0.1)3O x

Influences of sintering conditions onT _c are studied for Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂(Cu_0.9Ti_0.1)₃O _x . HighT _c values are obtained at 1123±5 K sintering temperature and over 50 h sintering time. In order to explain theT _c changes, morphological discussion is attempted.