Preparation and characterization of magnetically textured Y and DY 123 compounds

The authors prepared homogeneously (i.e through volume-textured material in comparison to sinter-forged samples where the texture is preferentially at the surface) c-axis-textured samples with ~200 μΩ-cm resistivity at 100 K and ~88% density by aligning powders in a magnetic field and then sintering. Light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transport J_c measurements were used to characterize the samples. Longer sintering times improved the texture. Dilute suspensions in which particles did not touch could be very well aligned. Such samples, encased in epoxy, had 50% of (001) poles within 3° of the field alignment axis. The alignment of contacted particles of high density for which transport J_c measurements could be made was less good, and it is shown that a rocking curve inadequately characterizes the degree of alignment