METHOD OF MAKING A BILLET SUITABLE FOR MANUFACTURING INTO A SUPERCONDUCTOR

摘要

A plurality of rods are assembled in a predetermined configuration to form a core which is surrounded by a molten matrix metal within a heated crucible. The temperature of the thusly charged crucible's upper portion is maintained above the matrix metal's melting point. In this respect, as the heat is applied to the top of the melt, the crucible is maintained in a hot environment while the bottom of the crucible is centrally chilled. In this manner the charge is solidified from the bottom toward the top so that the solidification progresses upwardly and outwardly in a conical pattern. After the controlled solidification is completed the casting is separated from the crucible to form a cored extrusion billet. In one embodiment the rods are separated from the casting and the resulting open holes are filled with superconductive material to form a composite superconductor extrusion billet. In another embodiment the rods themselves are made of a superconductive material so as to eliminate the step of separating the rods from the casting.