Mechanical Properties of Bulk MgB2 Superconductors Processed by Spark Plasma Sintering at Various Temperatures

Akira Murakami (1) , A. Iwamoto (2) , J. G. Noudem (3)

1 National Institute of Technology, Ichinoseki College
2 NIFS - National Institute for Fusion Science
3 CRISMAT - Laboratoire de cristallographie et sciences des matériaux

In order to improve the mechanical properties of bulk MgB2 superconductor, high packing ratio bulk samples were processed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at various temperatures. Effects of the SPS temperature on the mechanical properties of the bulk MgB2 superconductor are investigated through bending tests of specimens cut from the bulk samples. Both Young's modulus and bending strength were improved by the increase in the SPS temperature. The improvements of the mechanical properties are mainly due to the improvement in the packing ratio. The relationships between the bending strength and packing ratio of the spark plasma sintered bulk samples are similar to those of other bulk MgB2 pieces processed by capsule method and hot isostatic pressing.

Keywords: MgB2; Bulk material; Spark plasma sintering (SPS); Bending test; Mechanical properties; Superconductivity; Sparks; Plasma temperature; Young's modulus; Hip; Mechanical factors; Bending; Bending strength; Hot pressing; Magnesium compounds; Materials testing; Plasma materials processing; Sintering; Type II superconductors

Domains: Materials

Akira Murakami, A. Iwamoto, J. G. Noudem. Mechanical Properties of Bulk MgB2 Superconductors Processed by Spark Plasma Sintering at Various Temperatures. IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 2018, 28 (3), pp.1-4. ⟨10.1109/TASC.2017.2786210⟩. ⟨hal-02174433⟩