Evaluation of shock-compacted Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ by X-ray diffraction and magnetic torque measurements

Shock consolidation of tap-oriented powders of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ along the c plane was conducted by the gun method. Optimum compaction of 95% crystal density was achieved by 8 GPa shock-loading for 44 endash 75 μm size powders with 67% packing density. Degree of crystallographic orientation was evaluated by X-ray diffraction and SEM observation as well as magnetic torque measurements. High degree of orientation of tap-oriented bulk was preserved in shock loading, but post-annealing was necessary to recover superconductivity. Hysteresis in the torque curve measured below 50 K was an evidence for shock-induced pinning centers. copyright 1996 American Institute of Physics