Influence of excess yttrium additions in the YBa2Cu3O7 − δ system during melt processing

Abstract Results are presented concerning the influence of excess yttrium additions on the microstructural development within YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 − δ system. The melt powder melt growth process was the primary precursor system studied, with relevant experimental comparisons made to the phase pure YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 − δ precursor system. Examination is made to quantitatively estimate the effects of yttrium additions on Y 2 BaCuO 5 precipitation during melt processing. Differential thermal analysis studies were performed to determine the effect of Y 2 O 3 additions on liquidus formation reactions and solidification temperatures. SEM and TEM analyses was used to evaluate microstructural effects of the Y 2 O 3 additions. High temperature dynamic XRD was performed to analyze the effect of Y 2 O 3 additions on phase development as a function temperature up to 1100 °C.