SUPERCONDUCTOR MATERIALS FABRICATION METHOD USING ELECTROLYTIC REDUCTION AND INFILTRATION

摘要

A preform (28) is slip-cast or pressed from a metal compound or a mixture of metal compounds, sintered in air, vacum, or inert gas, and is electrolytically reduced in a bath (20) of molten salt to form a porous metal or alloy product. The alloy is in the form of a solid, porous sponge. In the bath (20) the salt is in contact with a reservoir (26) of molten infiltration material (24). After completion of the electrolytic reduction the porous product is moved into the infiltration material which fills the pores therein, displacing the salt. The infiltrated product is then solidified for further materials processing. The sponge material preferably comprises niobium, and the infiltration liquid is for instance molten tin. The infiltrated niobium sponge can be further processed to form a superconductor material of A-15 type, e.g. Nb3Al and Nb3Sn.