Mechanical behavior of MgO-whisker reinforced (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} high-temperature superconducting composite

The inherently weak mechanical properties of bulk monolithic high-temperature superconductors (HTS) have been a concern. Properly selected reinforcements in fiber and whisker forms have been introduced to the HTS ceramics to improve their mechanical properties. In this paper, mechanical behavior of a MgO-whisker reinforced Pb-doped Bi-2223 (BPSCCO) HTS composite fabricated by a solid-state processing method is studied. The (MgO){sub {ital w}}/BPSCCO HTS composite has been shown to exhibit excellent superconducting properties. Elastic properties, strengths, and notched fracture toughnesses of both the monolithic BPSCCO and the (MgO){sub {ital w}}/BPSCCO HTS composite are investigated. Detailed mechanical properties are reported for the first time for the (MgO){sub {ital w}}/BPSCCO HTS composite. Mechanisms of strengthening and toughening in the MgO-whisker-reinforced HTS composite are also discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 Materials Research Society.}