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Production of a superconductor powder having a narrow melting transition width using a controlled oxygen atmosphere

Assignee: Shimabun Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-04-09
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Granted: 1992-09-22
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Expires: 2011-04-09
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Abstract

Abstract A process for preparing a superconductor-coated substrate including calcining a mixture of powdered yttrium or rare earth oxide (R), barium carbonate and copper oxide in a controlled atmosphere and in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile to form a superconductor powder having a stoichiometric ratio of R-Ba-Cu of approximately 1-2-3. The melting transition width of the resulting powder is relatively narrow, such that the melting onset temperature is above the high temperatures advantageously used to sinter the powder on the substrate.

Inventors

  • 👤 Lawrence D. Woolf
  • 👤 Frederick H. Elsner
  • 👤 Clyde H. Shearer

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 05:09
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01G; C01G3/00; C01G3/006; C04; C04B; C04B35/00; C04B35/01; C04B35/45; C04B35/4504; C04B35/4508; C04B35/622; C04B35/653; C01P; C01P2002/00; C01P2002/80; C01P2002/88; C01P2004/00; C01P2004/60; C01P2004/61; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/725; Y10S505/742; Y10S505/775; Y10S505/776; Y10S505/779

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 244 words
A process for producing a superconductor powder comprising: (a) providing a mixture of finely divided R 2 O 3 , BaCO 3 and CuO in stoichiometric proportions wherein the ratio of R-Ba-Cu in said mixture is about 1-2-3 and R is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, elements having an atomic number between 57 and 71 inclusive, and mixtures thereof; (b) heating said mixture to a preheat temperature in oxygen at an initial oxygen partial pressure between about 1 and 40 torr; (c) heating said mixture from said preheat temperature to a plateau temperature greater than said preheat temperature at a heating rate less than about 30° C. per hour and at said initial oxygen partial pressure, said plateau temperature between about 780° C. and 825° C.; (d) maintaining said mixture at said plateau temperature and said initial oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to calcine said mixture to a superconductor powder having a formula R 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7-x wherein x is between about -1 and 1; (e) increasing oxygen partial pressure to between about 200 and about 800 torr above said initial oxygen partial pressure; (f) heating said superconductor powder to an increased temperature between about 880° C. and 925° C. at said increased oxygen partial pressure; and (g) maintaining said superconductor powder at said increased temperature and said increased oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to reduce the melting transition width of said superconductor powder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 244 words
A process for producing a superconductor powder comprising: (a) providing a mixture of finely divided R 2 O 3 , BaCO 3 and CuO in stoichiometric proportions wherein the ratio of R-Ba-Cu in said mixture is about 1-2-3 and R is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, elements having an atomic number between 57 and 71 inclusive, and mixtures thereof; (b) heating said mixture to a preheat temperature in oxygen at an initial oxygen partial pressure between about 1 and 40 torr; (c) heating said mixture from said preheat temperature to a plateau temperature greater than said preheat temperature at a heating rate less than about 30° C. per hour and at said initial oxygen partial pressure, said plateau temperature between about 780° C. and 825° C.; (d) maintaining said mixture at said plateau temperature and said initial oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to calcine said mixture to a superconductor powder having a formula R 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7-x wherein x is between about -1 and 1; (e) increasing oxygen partial pressure to between about 200 and about 800 torr above said initial oxygen partial pressure; (f) heating said superconductor powder to an increased temperature between about 880° C. and 925° C. at said increased oxygen partial pressure; and (g) maintaining said superconductor powder at said increased temperature and said increased oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to reduce the melting transition width of said superconductor powder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 26 words
The process as recited in claim 1 further comprising cooling said superconductor powder under oxygen to a cooled temperature between about 325° C. and 450° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process as recited in claim wherein said preheat temperature is between about 500° C. and 700° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The process as recited in claim 1 wherein said increased oxygen pressure is about 760 torr.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The process as recited in claim 1 wherein the melting transition width of said superconductor powder is than about 30° C. decreased to less
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 28 words
The process as recited in claim wherein said initial and increased oxygen partial pressures are maintained by flowing oxygen gas across said mixture and said superconductor powder respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The process as recited in claim 1 wherein said plateau temperature is maintained for between about 0.5 and 15 hours.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The process as recited in claim 1 wherein said increased temperature is maintained for between about 0.5 and 15 hours.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 20 words
The process as recited in claim 1 wherein said mixture has a particle size between about 1 and 3 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 32 words
The process as recited in claim 1 wherein said superconductor powder is Nd 1 .05 Ba 1 .95 Cu 3 O 7-x and further wherein x is between about -0.5 and 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 221 words
A process for producing a superconductor powder comprising: (a) providing a mixture of finely divided La 2 O 3 , BaCO 3 and CuO in stoichiometric proportions wherein the ratio of La-Ba-Cu in said mixture is about 1.25:1.75:3; (b) heating said mixture to a preheat temperature in oxygen at an initial oxygen partial pressure between about 1 to 40 torr; (c) heating said mixture from said preheat temperature to a plateau temperature greater than said preheat temperature at a heating rate less than about 30° C. per hour and at said initial oxygen pressure, said plateau temperature between about 780° C. and 825° C.; (d) maintaining said mixture at said plateau temperature and said initial oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to calcine said mixture to a superconductor powder having a formula La 1 .25 Ba 1 .75 Cu 3 O 7-x wherein x is between -0.5 and 1; (e) increasing oxygen partial pressure above said initial oxygen partial pressure to between about 200 and about 800 torr; (f) heating said superconductor powder to an increased temperature between about 880° C. and 925° C. at said increased oxygen partial pressure; and (g) maintaining said superconductor powder at said increased temperature and said increased oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to reduce the melting transition width of said superconductor powder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 221 words
A process for producing a superconductor powder comprising: (a) providing a mixture of finely divided La 2 O 3 , BaCO 3 and CuO in stoichiometric proportions wherein the ratio of La-Ba-Cu in said mixture is about 1.25:1.75:3; (b) heating said mixture to a preheat temperature in oxygen at an initial oxygen partial pressure between about 1 to 40 torr; (c) heating said mixture from said preheat temperature to a plateau temperature greater than said preheat temperature at a heating rate less than about 30° C. per hour and at said initial oxygen pressure, said plateau temperature between about 780° C. and 825° C.; (d) maintaining said mixture at said plateau temperature and said initial oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to calcine said mixture to a superconductor powder having a formula La 1 .25 Ba 1 .75 Cu 3 O 7-x wherein x is between -0.5 and 1; (e) increasing oxygen partial pressure above said initial oxygen partial pressure to between about 200 and about 800 torr; (f) heating said superconductor powder to an increased temperature between about 880° C. and 925° C. at said increased oxygen partial pressure; and (g) maintaining said superconductor powder at said increased temperature and said increased oxygen partial pressure for a time sufficient to reduce the melting transition width of said superconductor powder.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5021395A Cited
US4943557A Cited
US5049542A Cited
US4983571A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-09-22 1996-03-23 1996-09-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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