Preparation and sintering behaviour of YBaCuO thick films prepared by tape casting

Abstract

A composition of cyclic hydrocarbon as solvent, an acrylic binder and a plasticizer was used for tape casting of superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ. A small-particle-size superconducting powders, ≈ 1μm, with two different degree of agglomeration were added to adequate amount of the organic mixture for obtaining slips. Thick films of several thickness were prepared. The sintering was performed in the 920–940°C temperature range. The organic compounds were burnout at 500°C. High density values were obtained for tape fired at 940°C. SEM analysis revealed a rather homogeneous microstructure for samples made from the weak agglomerated powders. T_c and J_c at 77K were measured on Ag-electroded samples.