Process for producing oxide superconductive material by firing and apparatus therefor.

摘要

In a process or an apparatus for producing an oxide superconductive material by firing, a gas passage is formed in a firing furnace and a material (45) to be fired, consisting of a ceramic superconductive powder and/or a powder expressing superconductivity when heated, is placed in the gas passage. A gas is passed through the gas passage in one direction (A -> B -> C) to contact the material. For example cylindrical inorganic body (47) open at both ends is provided in a firing zone of a muffle (41) of a bell-shaped furnace (50), and a bottomed cylindrical substrate (44) with an exterior oxide superconductive layer (45) is located inside the inorganic body (47). Gas flow is from outside the body (47) to inside the body (47). Unidirectional gas flow avoids oxygen-lean regions at the surface of the superconductor material.