MELT TEXTURING OF PREFERENTIALLY ALIGNED YBA2CU3OX SUPERCONDUCTOR BY A SEEDED DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION METHOD

Directional solidification has been shown to be capable of producing long lengths of melt-textured YBa2Cu3Ox. In order to maximize the current carrying capability of these superconductors, grain alignment needs to be directed along the sample axis. So far, this preferential grain alignment can only be achieved in samples of small cross-sectional areas. We have developed a seeded directional solidification method which allows the fabrication of long lengths of single-domained YBa2Cu3Ox with large cross-sectional areas and predetermined grain alignment. The current carrying capability of these superconductors is superior to that of the misaligned ones, and the I(c) is estimated to be a few thousand amperes for samples of 4 X 8 mm2 cross-sectional area.