Exaggerated grain growth and improved properties of Y1Ba2Cu3O7-xby Pt addition

Abstract
Superconducting and mechanical properties of Y1 Ba2Cu3 O7 can be improved by the use of sintering aids. 0·2 wt% of finely divided laser-ablated platinum powder has been mixed with the parent material and produced a dense product with exaggerated grain growth and improved critical current density and Vickers hardness. At higher concentrations of platinum, while the mechanical properties are further improved, the increased density appeared to inhibit access of oxygen for the tetragonal to orthorhombic phase transition and the current density was reduced.