Explosively Consolidated Powder-In-Tube MgB$_{2}$ Superconductor Aided by Post-Thermal Treatment

A MgB
₂
superconductor was prepared from Mg flakes or powders and B powders using the powder-in-tube technique with explosive consolidation. Compaction of Mg and B powders resulted in a two-phase alloy, due to the relatively low temperature developed during compaction as well as the very short duration of the process. Formation of MgB
₂
was obtained after subsequent heat treatment in argon atmosphere at a maximum temperature of 950degC.