Abstract: The invention relates to an MgB2 based powder for the production of superconductors, having high reactivity which can be sintered at visibly lower temperatures and which can be compacted in large high density samples having a high superconductive transition temperature and a high critical current. The aim of the invention is achieved by virtue of the fact that the powder is a mechanical alloy powder, whose particles have an average size of d<250 &mgr;m and a substructure consisting of nanocrystalline grains whereby the dimensions thereof are <100 &mgr;m. The inventive powder can also contain additional chemical elements in the crystal grating of the MgB2-power particles.

Abstract: A method for creating a long superconducting wire and tape materials that can be loaded with high current densities using MgB2. The method is based on the powder-in-the-tube technology. In this process, there is a composite consisting of a cover tube made of material with normal conductivity, and a powder of a superconducting compound or a preliminary product. This powder compound contained in this cover tube, are processed by reshaping and thermal treatment steps to the superconducting wire or tape material. According to the invention, a composite is supplied to the processing process that contains a powdery superconducting MgB2 compound or a powdery preliminary product for a superconducting MgB2 compound. The powdery preliminary product, has been only partially reacted to an MgB compound, or is a powder mixture consisting of the individual components of the desired MgB2 compound. This product is filled into the cover tube.