Advances in melt-processed HTS applications at politecnico di torino

Summary This paper deals with a comparison of chemical, physical and mechanical characterisation of YBCO samples obtained with Temporary-Liquid-Densification Melt Growth (TLDMG). Ba₂YCu₃O_7-x +50% excess BaY₂CuO₅ pellets were prepared from different Ba-Y-Cu-O system phases, suitable to produce during the heat treatment temporary liquids at temperatures lower than 1000°C. A mechanical characterisation was performed in zero-field-cooling and field-cooling condition, showing hysteretic behaviour and creep of the levitation force. Measurements of magnetic hysteresis cycles in low fields and a.c. susceptibility were also performed. Some mechanical applications (high-speed electric motor and flywheel energy accumulator) were built and tested. The work now proceeds on two new industrial applications of melt-processed HTSC materials. Paper presented at the “VII Congresso SATT? Torino, 4–7 October 1994.