Method and apparatus for applying layers of high-temperature superconducting material to substrates

摘要

The application of HTSC material to workpieces can be effected by thermal spraying of ceramic powders having superconducting properties as the starting material onto substrates of any shape required, a continuous covering layer thus being applicable. Hitherto, the coated workpieces then had to be sintered under an oxygen atmosphere in order to regenerate the superconducting properties. According to the invention, thermal spraying is carried out under an oxygen atmosphere with an adjustable oxygen partial pressure. To this end, in a first embodiment, the spray nozzle (13, 23), required for spraying, of the spray appliance (10, 20) can be extended by an inert-gas (protective-gas) tube (30) as an attachment part which encloses the entire volume between the orifice of the spray nozzle (13, 23) of the spray appliance (10, 20) and substrate (1) and to which oxygen (O2) can be admitted. In a second embodiment, there may be a large-volume chamber (60) into which the spray appliance (10, 20), the substrate (1) and further aids for carrying out the coating process under an oxygen atmosphere may be introduced.