Rejoining of single grain melt textured bulk YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7-x/

The possibility of joining single grains of RE123 materials considerably enhances the applicability of bulk materials with respect to large scale applications. High quality superconducting joints produced via an infiltration method have been fabricated and studied. Using a wafering diamond saw, individual 200 /spl mu/m wide slots were cut into single grains of melt textured Y123 and the gaps were then filled with a mixture of Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and BaCO powders. A pressed pellet consisting of mixed Er123, Ba-CuO and CuO powders is then placed over the slots. The two regions were then rejoined by allowing molten phases to be absorbed into the powder. This process takes place at a temperature below the peritectic of Y123 and thus the crystal structure of the original bulk remains relatively unchanged. The newly formed Er/Y123 material displays the same orientation as the original grain. Also we have shown that in general the Y211 inclusions are smaller in the rejoined region than in the surrounding bulk. Microstructural and compositional data are presented and discussed.