Effects of oxygen pressure on the structure of Y–Ba–Cu–O materials formed by containerless melting and solidification

Abstract
YBa2Cu3Ox ceramic superconductors were levitated, laser-beam melted, and undercooled in pure oxygen, dry air, and pure argon atmospheres. Solidified material from this containerless melting was examined by electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. The solubility of yttrium oxide in the melt was found to depend on ambient oxygen pressure such that complete dissolution was readily achieved in argon, but not in oxygen. The material formed in argon could be deeply undercooled and resolidified to produce a fine-grained and chemically homogeneous material. Use of ambient oxygen pressure to control the product morphology is discussed.

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