Near net-shape manufacturing of bulk ceramic high-Tc superconductors for application in electricity and transportation

High-energy rate powder compaction techniques may be considered as a tool to produce superconductive ceramics with unique properties. A very great novelty is indicated from the subsequent mechanical processing of the densified high-T-e superconducting ceramics, employed to produce a sound final product. Wires, rods, plates, strips and forged parts with superconducting core and metal sheath can be produced by various techniques, like wire-drawing, extrusion, rolling and forging and subsequent metal removal processing, e.g. machining and grinding. Optimisation of the processing parameters is, therefore, necessary to allow for the fabrication of these sound components, which possess their superconducting properties and, therefore, modelling and simulation of the processes and the compaction mechanisms are on hand. Superconducting materials possess electrical/electronic and magnetic properties of utmost importance, one of which is the high-current carrying capability of superconductors with small cross sections. A wide range of electrotechnical applications using HTS components, from HTS computer chips to high power transmission cables and levitated vehicles may be listed. Bulk ceramic superconductors are used as long power transmission cables or other functional elements in electromagnetic machines, such as synchronous generators, levitated bearings, flywheel, fault current limiters and electrical switchgears. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.