Critical currents and transport properties of texturised yttrium HTSC ceramics

Regardless of the high values of Tc and Hc2, the ceramic HTSC materials are not been used widely not only because of the unsuitable mechanical properties, determined by the ceramic structure, but also by the low value of the density of the transport critical current jctrans which is 3-4 times lower than in the case of the low-temperature superconductors. The low values of the critical current density in these materials are caused by the existence of weak intergranular bonds with low values of the critical current. At the same time, it is well-known that the jc value of the granules reaches values ∼ 106 A cm2, acceptable for practical application. One of the most promising technological method of increasing jctrans and the mechanical strength of the HTSC ceramics is the formation of high-texturised semi materials with large grains accompanied by the formation of the parallel orientation of the basic planes of the granules having the highest critical, current density