References

  

Data Sheets

YBCO 1-2-3 (SCP 99.99% & 99.999%) Powders

Scope:

This product data sheet characterizes Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO 123) SCP 99.99% and 99.999% superconducting powders produced by SCI Engineered Materials (SCI). The following information is not a specification; however, it may prove useful to the customer in developing a formal product specification.

General Description:

The superconducting YBCO SCP powders are prepared from a intimately mixed precursor powder produced by a co-precipitation method (1). The process is designed to avoid any sequential precipitation of metal ions in order to achieve desired stochiometry. Solution based methods are generally used to improve homogeneity, purity, and reduce particle size.

Soluble metallic salts (typically nitrates) are dissolved in aqueous solvent and then precipitated from the liquid phase. The anion solution is used to simultaneous precipitate the cation species as carbonates and/or hydroxides. Phase pure, low carbon content superconducting powder is obtained by using a low pressure calcination method (2). The low processing temperatures used in this method results in powders with fine particle size. Further, the homogeneously mixed precursors increases the reaction rates during calcining.

Schematics of Co-precipitation Process

Co-precipitation schematicThe precursor is prepared from 99.99% and 99.999% pure Y(NO3)3, Ba(NO3)2 and Cu(NO3)2 solutions, respectively for three different purities. Fine particle size, control of stochiometry, and purity of the chemically prepared powders, are better than those prepared by standard solid state method. Powders with customized stochiometry and dopings are also available on request.

Typical particle size distribution, x-ray diffraction pattern, trace element analysis, and physical/chemical properties are given below.

Handling Instructions:

Handling instructions are given in the MSDS sheet enclosed.

References:

  1. B. C. Bunker, J. A. Voigt, D. A. Doughty, D. L. Lamppa, and K. M. Kimball, High Temperature Superconducting Materials: Preparation, Properties and Processing, Ed. W. E. Hatfield, and J. H. Miller, Jr., Marcel Dekker, Inc. NY (1988).

  2. U. Balachandran, R. B. Poeppel, J. E. Emerson, S. A. Johnson, M. T. Lanagan, C. A. Youngdahl, D. Shi, and K. C. Goretta, Materials Lett. 8, 454 (1989).