Sintering process and characterization of the SmBaCuO/Al composite

•The (1-x)SmBa2Cu3O7-δ/(x)Al composite was prepared by solid state reaction.•The aim was combined mechanical and superconducting proprieties.•The composites have a critical temperature Tc = 90 K, similar to that found in Sm-123 ceramics, and a diamagnetic signal proportional to the volumetric fraction of the ceramics.•The aluminum addition has improved the tenacity of Sm-123 ceramic and it did not affect their superconducting properties.