Electrical and mechanical properties of superconducting MgB2/Mg metal matrix composites

MgB2/Mg composites were prepared using a metal matrix composite fabrication method that offers the potential to produce superconducting wires as an alternative approach to the powder in tube process. To obtain composites, MgB2 and Mg powders were mixed at different weight fractions and uniaxially pressed in a cylindrical die under the pressure of 0.5 and 1.0 GPa for two hours at various temperatures. The x-ray diffraction technique was used for phase identification. Temperature dependence of resistivity and magnetization measurements were carried out to determine superconducting properties. The effects of composite fabrication temperature and the addition of the Mg on the mechanical properties of MgB2/Mg composites were investigated. For this purpose, the compressive mechanical testing was performed to measure the elastic modulus and fracture strength values of the composites. It was found that the relative weight fraction of the Mg and the fabrication conditions of the composites have considerable effect on the superconducting and mechanical properties of the composites.