Properties of superconducting materials of the system Zr-Y-Ba-Cu-O produced by the method of directional solidification

The directional solidification of Zr-Y-Ba-Cu-O specimens by the method of slow motion through a hot zone was investigated as a possible method of improving the current-carrying capacity of the ceramic specimens in a magnetic field. In the experiments, specimens synthesized at 900-1100 C were drawn through a hot zone with a maximum temperature of 1020-1100 C at a rate of 0.2-2.0 cm/hr; the temperature gradient at the exit from the hot zone was 50-70 C/cm. The experiments demonstrate the possibility of improving the current-carrying capacity of the specimens through an appropriate selection of the temperature and drawing rate.