Grain growth of high Tc YBa2Cu3O7−x

Grain growth during sintering of the polycrystalline high onset temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7−x has been examined by measuring grain sizes at various temperatures for different times above 900°C. The grain size distribution is found to be predominately lognormal after some sintering time. The mean grain size increases with both temperature and time. The standard deviation of the grain size distribution increases with temperature, but appears to be independent of time. The grain growth law may have an exponent of five. The grain growth rate may be affected by the grain size of the calcined powder.