Initial trials have shown that the high pressure, elevated temperature extrusion process is useful for converting the YBa2Cu3O7-x (123) superconducting oxide into dense shapes. Although this process is commonly used in the metalworking industry, it is not commonly used for ceramic extrusion. By introducing a thick, ductile, metallic, outer enclosure it is possible to obtain ductile behavior from a brittle material inside the billet: the 123 superconducting oxide. Since the extrusion process relies on deformation at elevated temperature, the desired orthorhombic structure may be transformed to the unwanted tetragonal structure. To limit this transformation, extrusions will be performed in this project using controlled temperature and pressure conditions in the presence of oxygen.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee: This study should show the feasibility of using the high pressure elevated temperature extrusion process for preparing useful, high density forms of the 123 superconductor. Creation of an appropriate extrusion process would provide the basis for economic large scale production of this material in diverse forms such as shaped sections, wire, rod, and tapes for various hardware applications using equipment that presently exists in the metalworking industry.Topic 9: High Temperature Superconducting Materials: Processing and Devices
