Joining of melt-textured YBCO: a direct contact method

We report a method for making weld joints, capable of transmitting high supercurrent densities, in bulk samples of melt-textured YBCO. The joining procedure is carried out in a flowing atmosphere of O-2 to eliminate problems associated with nitrogen gas, which can become trapped in the joint. No filler or fluxing material is used. The method can be used to join large areas (several cm(2)) that are capable of transmitting supercurrent densities exceeding 10(4) A cm(-2).