Plasma-Sprayed Fluxes for Welding of Titanium in Air

Not Available This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is proposed to identify and develop new robust buffer layers for superconducting YBCO-coated metal tape technology. The approach is to develop a new conducting buffer layer which we have identified as an excellent template for YBCO growth. This particular buffer composition should allow the growth of an extremely thin, compatible oxide layer which should enhance the deposition of the YBCO. These buffer materials have substantial advantages over conventional oxide buffer layers, including high strength, toughness, electrical and thermal conductivity. The purpose of this Phase I investigation is to develop buffer layers which promote improved YBCO growth, resulting in higher critical currents. The Phase I effort will involve growth of textured buffer layers on biaxially-textured Ni substrates. Additionally, the in-situ growth of thin intermediate stabilization layers between the buffer and YBCO films will be pursued. Suitably thick YBCO layers (up to a micron) will be overgrown on buffer-coated Ni tapes using pulsed laser deposition. Material characterization of the buffer and YBCO layers will be done using x-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Magnetic susceptibility measurements will be carried out to test their current carrying capacities.