Process for manufacturing a yba.sub.2 cu.sub.3 o.sub.x superconductor

Abstract

A process for preparing 123 superconductor material comprising heating a 123 compact in direct physical contact with a 211 compact to decompose only the 123 compact to form a liquid phase in the 123 compact is disclosed. The heat is maintained with the liquid phase passing into the 211 compact, to form a decomposed compact and an enriched compact. The decomposed and enriched compacts are cooled to below 1000 degrees celsius to promote a peritectic reaction between the 211 grains and the infiltrated liquid phase in the 211 compact. The decomposed and enriched compacts are then further cooled to about 400-600 degrees celsius in an oxygen atmosphere, and finally cooled to room temperature to yield a fused 123 decomposed compact-123 enriched compact. The 123 superconductor having enhanced electrical and mechanical properties is the 123 enriched compact which can be separated from the decomposed compact, by severing the 123 decomposed compact from the 123 enriched compact.