Neodymium gallate surface barrier for melt-processed YBa2Cu3Ox conductor with nickel sheath
US6531426B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49014
Abstract
A new process for making a neodymium gallate (NGO) surface layer on the inside surface of a protective outer sheath of nickel surrounding a core of yttrium-based copper oxide (YBCO) superconductor material permits manufacture of very high performance superconducting wire and tape. The NGO surface layer acts as a diffusion barrier to prevent diffusion of nickel into the YBCO during high temperature melt-processing. The NGO is applied, preferably by slurry casting, to a flat strip of solid nickel and then sintered at temperatures above about 1000° C. The sintering binds the NGO to the nickel strip and fixes it so that it will not react chemically with the YBCO during later melt-processing. The nickel strip and NGO diffusion barrier layer are next rolled into a trough and YBCO ceramic powder inserted inside the trough. The trough is then further rolled into a tube leaving an open seam for oxygen to penetrate during the oxygen anneal procedure of melt-processing. Finally, the tube sheath acts as a crucible for melt-processing of the YBCO to complete the manufacture of a high performance superconducting wire.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.