Microstructure development in isothermally melt-textured 123-211 composite materials

Microstructures of isothermally melt-textured 123-211 composite materials have been examined during the solidification process from quenched specimens. The distribution of 211 particles, the superconducting 123 grain boundary and the solid-liquid interface features are emphasized. The quality of the materials has been investigated by thermopower and thermal conductivity measurements. A seeded-melt texturing technique has been also tested in order to grow large single-domain of DyBa2Cu3O7-y. The chosen seed was a Dy2O3 single crystal.