Performance of high temperature superconducting ceramic-polymer composite

In order to improve the flexural properties of the high temperature superconducting ceramic (YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− δ ) a thermoplastic polymer, poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), is used. Ceramic specimens with different porosities were manufactured by dry compacting at various uniaxial pressures up to a maximum of 350 MPa. The organic polymer was impregnated into the porous ceramic at room temperature. The flexural properties were evaluated by concentrically loading simply supported disk specimens. Poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer increased the flexural strength and modulus of the superconducting ceramic without affecting its electrical properties. Property-porosity relationships have been developed for the superconducting ceramic with and without polymer. Polymer impregnation had no measurable effect on critical transition temperature, width of transition, and Meissner effect.