High gas pressure treatments of MgB2 material

From the beginning of the Mg-B system investigations, pressure was an important factor in procedures obtaining the bulk superconductors for application purposes: at hot isostatic pressing (HIP-ing), annealing under inert or active gas medium, i.e. argon with hydrogen and nitrogen, or for extrusion methods for wires manufacturing. MgB2 reveals interesting properties. We present the current state of our technological efforts in improving the microstructure and superconducting properties of this material, with use of the high gas pressure and high temperature treatment of samples crystallized in crucibles made of BN and SiC. As the precursor we mainly use the commercial MgB2 powder. The results of microstructure investigations and XRD analyses are presented