Texturation of YBa2Cu3O7-delta thick films by electrophoretic deposition under magnetic field

YBa2Cu3O7-delta coatings were deposited by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) onto Ni substrates. Particles of different sizes and shapes were used in order to study the influence of the powder microstructure on the film density. Texturation of the thick films was induced by application of a magnetic field during the electrophoretic deposition. X-ray diffraction analysis has clearly shown preferred c-axis alignment of the YBa2Cu3O7-delta films along the direction normal to the substrate surface. Scanning electron microscopy and optical polarised light microscopy were used to characterise the microstructure of the coatings, revealing a nonrandom platelets organisation.