PROCESSING AND FABRICATION TECHNIQUES FOR BULK HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS - A CRITICAL-REVIEW

For major applications of the bulk high-T(c) superconductors, proper processing to obtain desirable superconducting properties and physical shapes is essential. In this paper, various processing and fabrication methods are critically reviewed with respect to the resultant properties and likelihood of them becoming commercially viable techniques. Remarkable progress has been made during the past few years; however, the present status in materials processing and fabrication is far from ideal, especially in obtaining high critical currents in strong magnetic fields. It is concluded that further major processing innovations are needed to improve the superconductor properties and to accelerate progress towards major applications, and that many challenges and research opportunities are waiting to be exploited.