Fabrication of BSCCO Superconductor Tube for Current Lead Application

Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2Ox(BSCCO 2212) superconductors for current lead were fabricated by centrifugal melting process(CMP). BSCCO 2212 powder was melted at 1200 degrees C in a resistance furnace using a Pt crucible and poured in a rotating cylindrical mold preheated at 550 degrees C for 2 hour. The solidified BSCCO-2212 samples were heat-treated by partial melting process in oxygen atmosphere. The current-voltage curves at 77 K of the samples were obtained by transport measurement, and the microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscope. The Jc values at 77 K of the tubes partially melted at 840 degrees C, 860 degrees C and 880 degrees C were 492, 430 and 398 A/cm2, respectively. It was observed that the plate-like grains in BSCCO 2212 tube was more developed in the sample heat-treated at 840 degrees C. It was found that the critical current of the BSCCO 2212 samples was dependent on the partial melting schedule regarding the grain shape and size of the BSCCO 2212.