Abstract: A process for producing the 2223 phase of (Pb,Bi)SrCaCuO that is much faster than existing processes has the steps of: calcining a precursor powder mixture while maintaining intimate mixing of this precursor mixture by intermediate grindings during calcination; compressing the calcination product into a consolidated body; and heating the calcination product while maintaining intimate mixing of the calcination product, to form essentially phase pure 2223 (Pb,Bi)SrCaCu). A fast process for making a (Pb,Bi)SrCaCuO part with a high J.sub.c has the steps of: pressing calcined and reacted (Pb,Bi)SrCaCuO powder into a green body having the shaped of the part; and sintering the green body for a selected time, most preferably between 6 and 8 hours, that is long enough to establish superconducting electrical contact between grains of (Pb,Bi)SrCaCuO but short enough to prevent void formation or part shape distortion. The part made by this process has a high density, at least about 4 or 5 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: Hg,Tl-based superconductors are produced by HIPping. A new superconducting phase, having a double (Hg,Tl)-layer and the nominal composition:(Hg.sub.1-x Tl.sub.x).sub.2 (Ba.sub.1-a Sr.sub.a).sub.2 (Ca.sub.1-b Y.sub.b).sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.zwhere 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.95, 0.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.1, 0.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.1, and z is sufficient to provide said phase with a resistive and magnetic superconducting transition of 100 K or above, can be produced. Either precursor oxides, or partially or fully reacted mixed oxides, can be used in the HIPping mixture.

Abstract: Hg,Tl-based superconductors are produced by HIPping. A new superconducting phase, having a double (Hg,Tl)-layer and the nominal composition:(Hg.sub.1-x Tl.sub.x).sub.2 (Ba.sub.1-a Sr.sub.a).sub.2 (Ca.sub.1-b Y.sub.b).sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.zwhere 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.95, 0.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.1, 0.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.1, and z is sufficient to provide said phase with a resistive and magnetic superconducting transition of 100K or above, can be produced. Either precursor oxides, or partially or fully reacted mixed oxides, can be used in the HIPping mixture.

Abstract: An article comprises an oriented thick film superconducting coating on a polycrystalline substrate. The coating includes at least two highly oriented platelet components ofBi.sub.a Sr.sub.b Ca.sub.c Cu.sub.d O.sub.x (BSCCO)wherein, in one component, a is 2, b is 2, c is 1, d is 2, and x is 8 and, in another component, a is 2, b is 2, c is 0, d is 1, and x is .apprxeq.6, oriented such that said BSCCO platelets are essentially parallel to said substrate. Suitable polycrystalline substrates are MgO and alumina and mullite.

Abstract: High T.sub.c superconducting compounds are made by forming a reaction mixture of the oxides of Sr, Cu, Ca and Tl, compressing these into a hardened body, and placing the hardened body into a container. The container is then evacuated and sealed. The hardened body is heated under pressure until the oxides of Sr, Ca, Cu, and Tl react to form a superconducting compound.

Abstract: A process is provided for forming an oriented thick film superconducting coating on a polycrystalline substrate. The coating includes at least two highly oriented compounds ofBi.sub.a Sr.sub.b Ca.sub.c Cu.sub.d O.sub.x (BSCCO)wherein, in one component, a is 2, b is 2, c is 1, d is 2, and x is 8 and, in another component, a is 2, b is 2, c is 0, d is 1, and x is .apprxeq.6. The process comprising applying a powdered mixture prepared from BiO.sub.3, SrCO.sub.3, CaCO.sub.3, and CuO onto a polycrystalline substrate; rapidly heating the resultant coated substrate to a temperature of from about 1000.degree.-1100.degree. C. for a period of from about 30 minutes, thereby melting the powder and forming a thick film coating; rapidly quenching the coated substrate below which phase transition occurs; and annealing the resultant coated substrate by heating in an atmosphere of an oxygen-containing gas to a temperature of from about 850.degree.-870.degree. C.

Abstract: A machinable high Tc ceramic superconductor is formed by weighing and mixing appropriate stoichiometric amounts of Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, SrCO.sub.3, CaCO.sub.3, and CuO (BSCCO), removing carbonates from the mixture, melting the mixture, casting the melted mixture into a mold, and inducing superconductivity and growth of randomly oriented platelets in the cast.

Abstract: High T.sub.c superconducting compounds are made by forming a reaction mixture of the oxides of Sr, Cu, Ca and Tl, compressing these into a hardened body, and placing the hardened body into a container. The container is then evacuated and sealed. The hardened body is heated under pressure until the oxides of Sr, Ca, Cu, and Tl react to form a superconducting compound.

Abstract: A substantially single phase superconducting composition is formed from a of 1:2:3 molar ratio of fine powders of a superconducting rare earth oxide, CuO, and BaCo.sub.3. The mixed powders and shaped articles formed from the mixed powders are calcined, sintered, and cooled in an oxygen containing atmosphere. The cooling step is done slowly to convert the sample to the orthorhombic structure and to improve the superconducting properties. The article formed is a substantially single phase superconducting composition.

Abstract: Large oriented crystals greater than one millimeter in length of high T.sub.c superconducting compounds are grown by mixing starting materials in the correct proportions to make the superconducting compound, forming a mixture. The CO.sub.2 is removed from the mixture and the ternary oxide of the compound is formed from the mixture. Next, the mixture is formed into a self-supporting green body and sintered at a sintering temperature at which the top of the self-supporting green body is molten and the bottom surface is solid. The self-supporting green body is held at the sintering temperature for a time, forming a sintered body. Next, the sintered body is cooled so that crystals form. After this step, the crystals can be further processed to increase their superconducting properties. Finally, the crystals are removed and processed for use.