Plastic shaping of ceramic superconducting discs

Samples of YBa2Cu3O7−x high-Tc superconductor were prepared by simulating ceramic injection moulding technology, which involves mixing organic binders and ceramic powders to permit the fabrication of different shapes. A thermal debinding process was used to remove the organic binder. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the YBCO powder was not altered by the mixing, pressing and debinding processes. Susceptibility measurements taken after sintering showed that the transition onset is at 92.5 K, with a transition width of 2 K, proving the absence of process-induced deterioration of both superconducting properties and grain couplings.