Processing Parameters and Superconducting Properties of the (R.E.) Ba2Cu3O7-x System

The compounds under investigation were prepared with nominal composition (R. E.)Ba2Cu3O7-x , through solid state reactions starting from Y2O3, Sm2O3, BaCO3 and CuO powders. Reactions were investigated by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis in the temperature range 900-980°C in flowing O2. Sintering tests were performed in the range 900-995 °C, on a dilatometer in an O2 atmosphere. SEM and XRD analyses were carried out on as-reacted powders and on sintered materials.