The Effects of BaF₂ Addition on Melt-Processed YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x Superconductors

The effects of BaF2 on thermal behavior and microstructure of melt-processed YBCO superconductors have been investigated. The differential thermal analysis (DTA) results indicated that the peritectic decomposition temperature of YBCO precursor powder was lowered when BaF2 was added (from 1020 degrees C to 976 degrees C). The peritectic decomposition temperature was lowest at the content of 5 wt.% BaF2, and the variation of melting temperature was not significant above 5 wt.% BaF2. The microstructures of the doped samples have been observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the appropriate addition of BaF2 had no negative effect on the microstructure of YBCO.