Superconductivity Of Annealed And Consolidated Amorphous Yni2b2c Powders

Amorphous YNi2B2C powders have been produced by mechanical attrition. Superconductivity is absent in the amorphous state but recovers upon crystallization. However, the superconducting transition temperature T-C is lower than that of the melted analogue. T-C can be increased by increasing the annealing temperature. High temperature compaction leads to dense bulk superconducting samples. T-C of these bulk samples can be optimised by annealing. Variations in T-C are attributed to deviations from stoichiometry. Contamination of the powders with WC wear debris upon annealing may deteriorate the superconducting properties.